Ten S5 pupils from Highlands and Islands schools are over the moon with the news that they have been chosen to attend a once in a lifetime experience at the 2008 Careers Scotland Space School at the NASA Space Camp, Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Space School is designed to increase participation and motivation of school students in science and technology and to help young people to understand how the subjects apply to real career choices.

The successful candidates, from Dingwall Academy, Elgin Academy(2), Fortrose Academy(2), Glen Urquhart High, Kingussie High, Lochaber High, Wick High School and Lomond School, are all students of Careers Scotland Space School, a world-leading programme managed by Careers Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government and NASA.

52 pupils from schools across Scotland have been selected from around 3,000 to attend one of two Space Schools in January and September in 2008. The students have all successfully completed a programme of distance learning developed by Careers Scotland in conjunction with NASA scientists.

The programme is designed to supplement studies in Higher Grade Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths and Space School aims to further develop the young people's skills and knowledge in science, technology and enterprise.

The students will spend ten days involved in a full timetable of space related learning activities including lectures and group work with NASA space cadets, astronauts and scientists. They will have the opportunity to visit the space shuttle, NASA laboratories and get a behind the scenes view of the world of space exploration.

A further 45 pupils from across Highlands and Islands have been given the opportunity to attend a week long residential summer school either at Edinburgh University or one run jointly between Strathclyde and Glasgow Universities. Members of the NASA team will travel to Scotland to be involved with the Glasgow and Edinburgh summer schools, the content of which is similar to that of the Houston model.

Alex Blackwood, of Careers Scotland, said, "Space School is a unique programme for young people that gives them an extraordinary insight into the world of science and education and a taste of the diverse career opportunities available to them. Not only will the young people develop their skills in science and technology but they will also increase their confidence, motivation and self-belief.

"It is frequently described as a life changing experience and early indications suggest that the Space School is making a difference to the levels of interest in and the uptake of science among young people in Scotland. In fact more than 80 per cent of participants of the Space School have now gone on, or intend to go on, to study science, technology, engineering and maths at university.

"We look forward to the 52 successful pupils from across Scotland, joining us at Careers Scotland Space School next year."