ROBOTS in space beamed messages to Dorset schoolchildren thanks to a little help from a community radio station.

Students from Beechcroft St Paul’s Primary School visited the studios of Air 107.2 FM in Weymouth to send and receive some very special messages.

The students had been working on a project called Robots in Space, learning about technology and ICT.

Year One teacher Alex Fuhrmann set up the scenario where students got contacted by a robot from space called Calculon from the Planet Roboto.

Through the magic of technology Mr Fuhrmann was able to change his voice to play the part of Calculon, although many students remain convinced they spoke to a real robot from space.

The students linked up with AIR 107.2FM and visited the studios to ‘send’ their questions and messages to Calculon and then AIR FM ‘received’ the responses from Planet Roboto- thereby having a full conversation with their friends in outer space.

Students also got to see the radio studios and recorded some jingles to be played out on air.

Mr Fuhrmann said it had been great to work with the community radio station and said that the students had absolutely loved the experience.

He said: “The students came back from the radio studios with the biggest smiles. They said: ‘You won’t believe what we have done’.”

He added: “It was really good.”

Mr Fuhrmann said he would like to thank all the staff and volunteers at AIR FM for all their help.