It IS rocket science – and Central Fife students could see their careers blast off with a trip to Paris thrown in.

Douglas Chapman MP is urging them to aim for the sky by taking part in a challenge that could see them up against kids from across the world.

Budding scientists have to design a model rocket that can blast over 700 feet into the sky, keeping its passenger – a raw egg – in one piece.

High schools can compete in The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge, with the winners getting an all-expenses paid trip to Paris to represent the UK in a ‘fly-off’ against teams from the USA, Japan and France at the Paris International Airshow in June.

Mr Chapman said: “Pupils can apply what they have learned in science, technology, engineering and maths and gain highly valued skills.

“It’s a great chance to have lots of fun too!

“I’ll be writing to all our high schools headteachers in Central and West Fife asking them to encourage pupils to take part. I look forward to supporting them as they reach for the sky.”

The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge is a free national competition to enthuse more young people about the subjects needed in aerospace, defence, security and space industries - science, technology, engineering and maths.

The challenge, now in its 12th year, is aimed at students aged 11 to 18 from secondary schools, colleges and youth groups who must design, build and launch a model rocket with a payload of one raw egg.

The rocket must reach 775 feet with a specific target flight duration of 41 to 43 seconds.

For more information go to ukayroc.org.uk