TWO Dorset teachers have been inspired after heading out of the classroom and into space academy in America.

The pair attended the camp in Alabama to learn new ways to teach science, technology , engineering and maths in classrooms.

Holly Lucas from Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne and Anna Halford from St Andrew’s CE Primary School in Yetminster, spent a week at the Honeywell Educators at Space Academy at the US Space and Rocket Centre in Huntsville, Alabama.

They took part in 45 hours of classroom and laboratory instruction focused on science and space exploration, including astronaut-style exercises such as high-performance jet simulation, scenario-based space missions, land and water survival training and interactive flight dynamics programmes.

The space academy is an initiative set up by Honeywell in collaboration with the US Space and Rocket Center to inspire teachers from around the world. Holly and Anna were among a group of more than 200 teachers from over 25 countries selected to attend the week-long program at the end of June.

Since its creation in 2004, Honeywell Educators at Space Academy has graduated 2,576 teachers from 56 countries, benefitting more than three million students. Candidates from the course complete a rigorous application process. Successful teachers are awarded scholarships, round-trip airfare, tuition, meals and accommodation.