pupils from Liskeard Community School this week had a unique opportunity to view an important piece of British history. The 'NOVA/Starchaser 4' rocket is the largest rocket ever launched from the UK mainland, and has been on display at the school for two days this week. The record-breaking rocket stands at 13 metres (43ft) on its launch pad and is being displayed at Liskeard School – the only school in Cornwall with engineering specialist status – in order to raise the profile of science, technology and engineering-based subjects as part of the engineering activity days. The Starchaser team has been conducting a number of presentations throughout the week, giving useful information that helped pupils build their own rockets as part of the activity days. These rockets were fully fitted with engines and igniters, giving the students the opportunity to launch them. Other engineering activities such as the 'Living on the Dark Side of the Moon' project gave Year Seven pupils the chance to investigate scientific theories, while the 'Design an Android' task saw teams of 15 students create life-sized figures from scrap. Giles Merrifield, assistant head teacher and director of engineering at the school, was delighted with the prospect of having the rocket on site: 'As far as I'm aware, it is the first time a rocket has been to any school in Cornwall.' Liskeard School secured specialist engineering status in September last year, and while the Starchaser marks a celebration of the school's first year with specialist status, Mr Merrifield is determined that Liskeard will continue to go from strength to strength: 'The rocket symbolises a lot of things that this school is trying to do. 'It is also about "imagineering" – working creatively through engineering, problem solving and new ways of thinking. 'Starchaser is a celebration of the new vision of the school after a year of change. 'But it is not just about one-off events: it's about looking at what we do with partner primary schools and local businesses.' Last year the Starchaser team took part in the X Prize Foundation competition, aimed at boosting the space-tourism industry. The Foundation is working towards opening up space travel and making it possible to all. It is hoped that through the engineering week, pupils at Liskeard will be able to their new ideas and use them across the curriculum. The rocket will remain on display at the school until 8pm today.