RUBBER and plastic were being prepared for propulsion at St Joseph's science lab, rockets were in pre launch stage and primed for their first flights, all in the name of science.

Physics is popular with young students - the hands- on experimental aspect excites the developing mind - and for a group of 22 young scientists from Tweed Catholic schools, this term's science program is right up their alley.

Designed for hand-picked and gifted students from nine different schools, the program is focused around the effects of Earth's gravity.

The launching of the rockets and the safely returning astronauts is of great interest to St Joseph's student, Matthew Shenton.

It has been really fun experimenting with the cars and we have done another experiment where we had to make and egg and land safely using a set of group materials.

"It is really interesting to make and use the rocket using different techniques," Matthew said.

The students were conducting the fourth of five, two-hour workshops and there were all sorts of experiments taking place in the science lab at St Josephs Banora.

Mt St Patrick student Cecilia Ryan was testing her air-powered rocket car as teacher Matthew Hall explained the goings on.

"We are just trying to open their eyes to physics and other concepts to do with rockets and how they can be propelled in different ways," Mr Hall said.

Cecilia was enjoying the workshop.

"It has been really fun experimenting with the cars and we have done another experiment where we had to make an egg land safely using a set group of materials," Cecilia said.

Connor Robinson had plenty of enthusiasm and skill when it came to physics, his passion obvious for all to see.

"We get to trial out heaps of different stuff; physics is awesome because it is so hands on," Connor said with a smile, before resuming rigging up a rocket ready for launch.