The high school students participated in astronaut training as part of Space Camp, which aims to challenge young people to dream of a future in space.

Among the group was 17-year-old Ballarat High School student Stuart Brown, who was presented with The Right Stuff Award for his contributions to the week-long camp in Alabama.

Stuart said while he hopes to study nanotechnology after high school, he hadn’t ruled out a career in space.

“There is so much to learn and find out about space,” he said.

Students also had the chance to take part in simulations that reflected the effects of walking on the moon and were involved in missions similar to those NASA employees would be faced with.

This was the first time Ballarat youths had the chance to participate in Space Camp and it’s hoped mores students will be able to attend a similar camp when it is held again in three years.