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Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut is an international educational challenge focusing on fitness and nutrition as we encourage students to "train like an astronaut." The UK is one of 15 space agencies, 2 planetariums, 2 research councils, and a university who are establishing challenge sites in 10 nations.

The UK Challenge Programme is being supported by the UK Space Agency and the lead school for the pilot phase is Mountfitchet Maths and Computing College (MMCC) based in Stansted, Essex. Staff from MMCC will be working with feeder primary schools in the pilot from January 2011 on this exciting fitness challenge. MMCC has recently received Healthy Schools Status and their new Headteacher, Catherine Anderson is a PE Specialist by background. Catherine says:
We’re delighted with our recent Healthy Schools award and Mission X gives us an opportunity to develop further our commitment to healthy eating, exercise, science education and high careers aspirations. We will be sharing our expertise with our local primary schools and other schools in the UK.

For further information about the pilot project and on ways to be involved, please contact Heather MacRae, Venture Thinking by email on heather@venturethinking.com. A staff training day hosted by MMCC is scheduled for 11 November 2010. All the materials for Mission X are available for download on www.trainlikeanastronaut.org.

The challenge will be formally launched by Piers Sellers, British-born Astronaut during his visit to the UK in December 2010, with the challenge beginning in January 2011.