One giant step for bearkind

A teddy bear called Derek took one giant step for bearkind on Sunday 3 March, when he was blasted into space by members of the University of Southampton’s Physics Society (Physoc) and pupils from Toynbee School in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Derek was launched 34 kilometers into space so he could measure data in the stratosphere in a specially-designed space suit, which had to withstand extreme temperatures and safely house his data sensors for his day above the Earth. Also attached to Derek, were two stills cameras and a video camera to record some fantastic pictures and video of the Earth.

The project was the idea of year seven to nine science pupils at Toynbee School as part of a physics experiment. They teamed up with the Institute of Physics and University of Southampton to help get Derek airborne. He was launched from near Ocknell Caravan park in Stoney Cross in the New Forest.

Cait Percy, Physoc Outreach Officer, said: “We've been running a series of after school clubs to teach the kids about space and some of the physics behind the launch, so this was the culmination of all their efforts. It has helped to generate excitement and interest in physics and shows that you can do some really cool stuff through science.”

For more information on Derek and Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton, follow Twitter @AstroPhysSoton on Twitter.

For more information on our physics outreach work, please visit www.phys.soton.ac.uk/outreach