0:00:02 > 0:00:04- I'm Lauren.- And I'm Joe. - And this is The Dengineers.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07The show that puts you in charge of building your very own dream den.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Dens for adventure.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13It's a secret door!
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Hanging out with your friends and family.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18- It's amazing!- Yes!
0:00:18 > 0:00:20And dens built to fulfil your dreams.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22It's amazing. Thank you so much.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Whatever your idea,
0:00:24 > 0:00:28the Dengineers team are here to transform your inspiration into
0:00:28 > 0:00:30amazing spaces.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31Built especially for you.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34ALL: This den is done!
0:00:34 > 0:00:36CHEERING
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Merry Christmas!
0:00:45 > 0:00:46Whoa!
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Whoa!
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Today, we've come to Scotland to surprise a girl called Helena,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00who absolutely loves looking at the stars.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01And lucky for Helena,
0:01:01 > 0:01:06she's going to be meeting two of the biggest stars in the business.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- No, I think she means in the sky. - What?- Not us.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13So, what you're trying to say is that Helena won't be needing that
0:01:13 > 0:01:16giant gold statue of Lauren Layfield in her den?
0:01:16 > 0:01:18No. Of course she's not. You can have it, though.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21- You could put it in your garden. - That's a really good point, Joe.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23- Thanks.- I've always liked him. - Clever boy.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31Today's dengineer is 12-year-old Helena from Dumfries and Galloway in
0:01:31 > 0:01:32Scotland.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Please, dengineers, come and build me an observatory den,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39where I can study the stars and achieve my dreams of becoming
0:01:39 > 0:01:41an astrophysicist.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Helena absolutely loves science and space,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47and she takes every chance she gets to teach the people in her town
0:01:47 > 0:01:49the wonders of the universe.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51She's always rushing up to people and saying,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54"How's this for a space fact," and, "Did you know about this?"
0:01:54 > 0:01:59- Full Nasa spacesuit costs a whopping 12 million.- Wow!
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Did you know that you could fit 1 million Earths inside the Sun?
0:02:03 > 0:02:05- 1 million?- Yes.- Wow!
0:02:05 > 0:02:07There's not many kids like her.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11She is very, very smart, and I learn from her.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15I think if Helena continues to stay curious and read a lot,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18she's well on her way to leading us into space.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21When it comes to her ongoing quest for nebula knowledge,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Helena's in luck, because her family live above a book shop that her mum
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and dad run.
0:02:26 > 0:02:27The books are everywhere,
0:02:27 > 0:02:33and Helena's always going into boxes, thinking, "What's in here?"
0:02:33 > 0:02:36A Rover's Eye View of the Red Planet.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Having a book shop in your house is brilliant for research,
0:02:38 > 0:02:40but it can have its problems, too.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43We are working all the time.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48Helena just never gets time to go stargazing and that's really
0:02:48 > 0:02:49frustrating.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54If Helena were to get a den where she could pursue her interests,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57it would literally mean the world.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00This girl needs an astronomical den right away.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03Calm yourself, Joe, a den is exactly what Helena's going to get.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05She just doesn't know it yet.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09For this stratospheric surprise,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13we've come to her mum and dad's book shop and our crafty crew dengineers
0:03:13 > 0:03:16have been busy fitting hidden cameras all about the place.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19And for today's hit, we're busting out a new bit of kit.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Well, for this surprise we are pretending to deliver some books to
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- Helena's book shop in this cardboard box.- I'm with you.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32However, Joe, there are no books in this cardboard box.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37- Inside here is our very first cardboard box-cam.- No!
0:03:37 > 0:03:38Go on, give the camera a wave.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40But there's nothing in it.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41There is, Joe.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43I'm right up in this box's grill, and I cannot see anything.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Well, there is, Joe, and, in fact, you can hold this,
0:03:46 > 0:03:47because we need to get hidden.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Helena is on her way.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Helena will be home in a matter of minutes,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54so it's a mad dash to get our Dengineers team out of the shop
0:03:54 > 0:03:56and into hiding.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- Is she there? Is she there?- Yeah.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01She's coming around the corner, she's coming around the corner.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Helena is back at the book shop.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06She's in, she's in. OK, Joe, grab your boxes.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07Get YOUR boxes.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12This is it, time to deliver Helena the surprise of her life.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Oh, good morning, would you mind taking this top box for me?
0:04:19 > 0:04:20Thank you very much.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Hello.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24LAUREN LAUGHS
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Good morning.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Come back this way for me.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Hello, there, my name is Lauren.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34And this...
0:04:34 > 0:04:35Just take that from you... is Joe!
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Hello, I'm Joe!
0:04:37 > 0:04:41We are from CBBC's The Dengineers, but you already know that,
0:04:41 > 0:04:42- don't you?- Yeah.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- We've got a camera crew and everything.- Hello!
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Yes, we've got a camera crew, as well.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48How are you? Are you surprised?
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Yeah, I'm shocked.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53It was like, "Would you believe it, somebody's brought some books."
0:04:53 > 0:04:56And I believed it, cos obviously we live in a book shop.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Well, Helena, we have heard that you want to build your very own amazing
0:05:01 > 0:05:05observatory den, where you can look at the stars and explore
0:05:05 > 0:05:07- the universe. Is that right?- Yeah?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- Yeah.- Well, guess what, that's what you're going to get.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- We're going to build it with you. - How does that sound, Helena?
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- That's great.- Yeah?- I'm so excited.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17And we're actually going to start designing it and building it now.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- Like now, yeah?- Like now.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21- Do you want to come with us and we'll start?- Yeah.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26That's probably the most surprised I've ever been, like ever.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I'm very excited about building the den,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34because you've got professionals that come in and do it, and I get to
0:05:34 > 0:05:38show them what my dreams are, and they can make them come true.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I just think it's great for her to have this very special
0:05:41 > 0:05:44observatory den in the garden.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48She's really curious about exploring other worlds.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49It's going to be wonderful for her.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51I've never been this happy.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52I'm ecstatic.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54I'm trying not to jump up and down.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Our first port of call is the Dengineers' mobile HQ,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02which has some mega-cool technology to get this den rolling.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Helena, this is where we get all of those ideas and plans you've got in
0:06:08 > 0:06:11your head, and we download them and get them up onto the screen.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12And you are the boss,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16so make sure you get right in there and pick out the stuff that you want
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- for your den. Does that sound all right?- Yep.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21First of all, kick things off for us, what is the theme of your den?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Space.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24- Space!- Yes!
0:06:24 > 0:06:28I like stargazing and reading the galaxy.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33What got me started was I did this project on space.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37That's when I decided I wanted to find if there was any life up in
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- space.- I want to read it. - You can read it. I've got it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- I appreciate that, thank you very much.- And this is Amy Hoffman,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- from Nasa.- Has she ever been to space?
0:06:45 > 0:06:50No. She is looking for life on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Imagine that that's your job, and it's really cool, isn't it,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55seeing loads of girls in science?
0:06:55 > 0:06:57I love that like boys get into science,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02but it's thought that science is too dangerous for girls.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- Which it isn't.- So do you think that's a bit of a problem, then?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Yes, because it stops girls doing what they want to do.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12So, if you had a message for any girls out there who are wondering
0:07:12 > 0:07:14whether I should do science, what would you say to them?
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Definitely do it, because it's not just for boys,
0:07:18 > 0:07:19and girls can do it too.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- Yes!- There you go.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I'd like it to look something like this.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Basically a mini observatory.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28We've never done anything like that before.
0:07:28 > 0:07:29And this is cool.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Planets in the den, and like star charts.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Ah, yes. Amazing.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36This is called an eclipse.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40It's when the sun's shining in the sky and then the moon comes
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- in front.- I love it. It's a cool shape for some element of your den.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48I genuinely think this is going to be the most incredible den.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51It's going to be out of this world.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53B-doom-tish!
0:07:53 > 0:07:54Thanks.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Helena has decided on an observatory look for her den,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00complete with a classic dome-shaped roof.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04She'd also love to include planet and solar eclipse imagery into the
0:08:04 > 0:08:05overall design.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10But which designer will make Helena's stargazing dreams
0:08:10 > 0:08:11a reality?
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Meet Maral.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18She's a specialist in creating the most amazing dens, and can make
0:08:18 > 0:08:20any space look totally awesome.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26So, Helena, this is the floor plan.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29It's based on two levels and they're both circular,
0:08:29 > 0:08:32so it does look like the sun and the moon.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34That's amazing! I love it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I have been inspired by the solar eclipse,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39because I know how passionate you are about stargazing.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42It looks like as if they are merging on top of one another.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47This is going to be the first rotating den that the dengineers are
0:08:47 > 0:08:48going to embark on.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- 360 degrees.- Wow.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54So, she can see any part of the sky that you want.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Hopefully, yes.- Amazing. - I'm very excited.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00What is it about the stargazing that you really like?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03I want to find out, when I'm older, if there's any life in space.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05What I have planned for the outside,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08we are going to have your own solar system,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10as if you have discovered something new.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12It's amazing. I love it.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13So, do I get the thumbs-up?
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Yup.- Yeah? Great.- Look at that.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Maral's plans have been given the Galactic seal of approval by Helena.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24She's designed the Dengineers' first ever rotating den,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28which will give Helena and her telescope a 360 degrees view of
0:09:28 > 0:09:30the night sky. From the top,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33the structure will look like the early stages of a solar eclipse,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36and the walls will contain various planets and stars to make up
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Helena's very own solar system.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Design signed off, it's time to boot Mum and Dad back into the book shop.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Hello, Mum and Dad. I don't know why I'm saying hello, because...
0:09:48 > 0:09:49..it's goodbye time.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52From this moment on, this garden is dengineers only.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53What you say, Helena?
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Goodbye and no peeking!
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Bye. Love you, Pop. Bye.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03To take our mind off these next four days, what are we going to do?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- Clean books.- Carry books up and down the stairs. Count the books.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- Hopefully sell some books.- Yes.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Parents gone, the next job is to figure out a way of getting
0:10:14 > 0:10:1830 metres of electrical cabling from the side of the house down to where
0:10:18 > 0:10:19the den will be.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23But, luckily for us, we know a man with an electronic mole.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Helena, meet Dixie. Dixie's a mole.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30We use a mole to get cables and pipes from one side of a
0:10:30 > 0:10:33car park or road to the other, without actually making any mess.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Is this Dixie's first den?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37It is, but I think he's perfect for the job.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43The plan is to use this impact mole to force a path through the ground,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45displacing the soil as it goes,
0:10:45 > 0:10:50creating a route for the electrical cabling needed to power the den.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52But before Dixie can start his quest,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Helena's assistance is required to dig a pit for him to start in.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Everything's in place.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01It's time for Dixie to start his journey.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02Ready, Helena.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Final destination, the den.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It's going so fast.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Like a mild earthquake.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13Dixie makes light work of Helena's garden and reaches the den site in
0:11:13 > 0:11:15double quick time.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Yeah, it's come through!
0:11:18 > 0:11:20And whilst the team lay the electrical cabling,
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Helena moves on to a slightly larger digging implement...
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Bill, where do you want this?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Just pick it up and take it over to the right.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32..because the next job is to construct a concrete base to support
0:11:32 > 0:11:33the weight of Helena's den.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37With the ground ready for action,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40it's time for the rest of us dengineers to arrive in Scotland.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41CHEERING
0:11:43 > 0:11:47The dengineers have been made to feel extremely at home,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50and the first job is to put up the main structure of our
0:11:50 > 0:11:51rotating observatory,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55which has been constructed from nearly 400 metres of timber.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58That's roughly the length of four football pitches.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04It is the first ever rotating den that we are going to do on
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Dengineers, so it's a huge task, but we can do it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's like a jigsaw.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12All the pieces are going together.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13It really is.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18The den's coming together nicely, and Dengineer David needs Helena's
0:12:18 > 0:12:20help to make sure the structure is attached securely.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22One more. Beautiful.
0:12:22 > 0:12:23That's fun.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- That's it. Perfect.- There you go!
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Our Helena's proving to be a power tool pro.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32That's it.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Time to pass on her building wisdom to me.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36- How's that?- Hey.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Pull the trigger, but the harder you press the trigger the faster it will
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- go.- OK.- So, just keep it at a slow and steady pace.- OK.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44That was the best thing I've ever heard anyone say.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- Slow and steady pace. - Amazing.- Awesome.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48Slow and steady, OK.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53There we go.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55Yes.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58The Dengineers are making speedy work of putting up the structure of
0:12:58 > 0:12:59the den.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00We just need to line it all up now.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03And Helena has an idea of how to give the team's brains
0:13:03 > 0:13:04a work-out, too.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08I've planned a planet quiz for the Dengineers to see if they know their
0:13:08 > 0:13:10solar system.
0:13:10 > 0:13:11So, I'm going to flash a planet at you,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13and you have to tell me what its name is.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15OK, let's go.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- So, what's this one? - Earth. 1-0 to me.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- OK, that one's Saturn.- Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:22- Neptune.- Yes.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23Yes! Come on!
0:13:23 > 0:13:24SHE GIGGLES
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Jupiter.- Whoa, you're good.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30The Dengineers are showing they're a clever bunch,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34but there's one picture that's proving particularly problematic.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Which surface is this?
0:13:36 > 0:13:37Erm...
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Jupiter?- Uranus?
0:13:43 > 0:13:44Mars?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- It's digestive biscuit.- Oh!
0:13:48 > 0:13:50As day one draws to a close,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54the team have made amazing progress and the mood on site is sky-high.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57It's got a great view from up here.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02I've had so much fun today. It's been great.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03The build's gone really well.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07Helena has been absolutely brilliant with chipping in with different
0:14:07 > 0:14:10elements of the work, and I'm looking forward to having her around
0:14:10 > 0:14:11for the next couple of days.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17The build is off to a meteoric start,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21so I'm taking Helena off-site to the Royal Observatory Edinburgh,
0:14:21 > 0:14:24a place that is constantly striving to be at the cutting edge of
0:14:24 > 0:14:26astronomy research and technology.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Have you ever seen a telescope that big before?
0:14:30 > 0:14:33No. That's massive!
0:14:33 > 0:14:35As well as loads of astronomy equipment,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38this place is home to Dr Pamela Klaassen,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41who is working on a very special part of the James Webb space
0:14:41 > 0:14:46telescope, which will be the largest ever telescope launched into space.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50The instrument is called Miri, the mid-infrared instrument.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54What Miri can do that nothing else before it has been able to do is see
0:14:54 > 0:14:59in very great detail what's going on in the cold universe,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01what's out there.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04One thing that Miri does really well is split up light to help
0:15:04 > 0:15:08astronomers get a better understanding of space.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11And it does that through a cool bit of kit called an image slicer.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15We've actually got one of the image slicers themselves right here.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Whoa.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20And what we also have is a fake galaxy that we can project onto this
0:15:20 > 0:15:22model of our image slicer here.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24So, if you have all of the light together,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- it all becomes one large jumble of information.- Uh-huh.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31But if we split it up with these smartly designed image slices,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35that jumble becomes something that we can understand.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39In this case of this galaxy, what's going on in there.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- That is so fascinating. - It's amazing.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And how long have you been working on something like this?
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Miri was first thought up a little over 20 years ago,
0:15:48 > 0:15:52and it's taken that long to get it to the stage that it's out now.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55How far away in space will this be able to go?
0:15:55 > 0:15:58So, we're going to be able to see back to some of the earliest
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- galaxies EVER.- Whoa!
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Almost all the way back to the beginning of the universe.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- Millions of years ago. - BILLIONS of years.
0:16:05 > 0:16:06Billions of years ago.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10And, Helena, you really want to know about whether there's any life out
0:16:10 > 0:16:13there. Do you think this equipment is something that could help?
0:16:13 > 0:16:14Oh, definitely.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17We're definitely going to be able to see some really cool
0:16:17 > 0:16:18stuff with this.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22It was amazing, because I understand more about how you can actually
0:16:22 > 0:16:26split up galaxies using mirrors inside the telescope,
0:16:26 > 0:16:28and then see if there actually is any more
0:16:28 > 0:16:30life out there than we think.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34This place is full of humongous telescopes, and before we go,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38I want to introduce Helena to another astronomical beast.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Now this telescope is super,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45super powerful, and I'm told that this can actually see the rings of
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Saturn.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49You can see Jupiter's moons.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Whoa.- How cool is that?
0:16:51 > 0:16:52- That's amazing.- Isn't it?
0:16:52 > 0:16:55How does that compare to your telescope at home?
0:16:55 > 0:16:59It's a lot bigger, and obviously, it can see a lot more, as well.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Well, this telescope doesn't actually belong to
0:17:04 > 0:17:05Edinburgh Observatory,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08because it belongs to you now.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- What?- And it's going to go in your den!- Oh, my.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12What do you think?
0:17:12 > 0:17:14That's amazing!
0:17:14 > 0:17:15Wow.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17We're going to have to build like a big door.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Today's been amazing because I've got to see what not many other
0:17:21 > 0:17:25people would be able to see, and I also got a great present.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30It's going to mean a lot, because I can see what I couldn't see before,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32so I can go further into space.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35It's day two in Dumfries and Galloway,
0:17:35 > 0:17:39and the team are making a start on the flooring in the den.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- What do the speckles looked like? - Stars.- Yeah.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44The floor is coming along nicely,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46but the next mission may be slightly more tricky.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51The biggest job of today is to get the roof on and make sure the whole
0:17:51 > 0:17:56mechanism works, because that is what makes the den the observatory.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Whilst the team make some finishing touches to the dome,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00I catch up with Maral to find out
0:18:00 > 0:18:02how this roof is going to give Helena
0:18:02 > 0:18:04the best possible view of the night sky.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07We're not just having a roof that flips open,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- because that's quite dangerous.- Yeah.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13We have engineered a solution for this roof to rotate.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15And it actually then has two flaps that open.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20So, the roof rotates 360 degrees and the two flaps open 90 degrees.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23So, she can see as many stars, constellations, and planets
0:18:23 > 0:18:24as possible.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26So what happens, what's all this about?
0:18:26 > 0:18:28These are what we call little casters.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30They're just like wheels, but they are fixed.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Why are there wheels facing in different directions?
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Surely you just need these wheels so it can go round in a circle?
0:18:36 > 0:18:40The wheels on the outside help the roof rotate in one fixed direction.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Right.- The wheels on the inside assist it to actually stay
0:18:43 > 0:18:45in position. So, have a look.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47This actually rotates.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- If I push it, the bowl doesn't go anywhere.- Gotcha.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54- As roofs go, it's pretty cool, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56To create our very first rotating roof,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00the team have engineered a metal track on which the dome will sit.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04This track has horizontal and vertical casters to keep the roof
0:19:04 > 0:19:08securely in position, whilst allowing it to rotates 360 degrees,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12giving Helena and her telescope VIP access to the night sky.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Rotating roof explained,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18the team grab a quick bite to eat inside the book shop.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20We kind of get busy, but not as busy as this.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25And then it's back outside to take on the biggest job of the build.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Let's go.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30Time to raise this roof and see if it works.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34I'm quite nervous, because it could just collapse.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35- I suppose, yeah.- Ready?
0:19:35 > 0:19:37- Right, it's happening. - Here we go.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Better pull your fingers out of the way.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45As it goes down, watch your fingers.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Gently.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50The roof is on, but does it rotate?
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- Whoa, whoa.- What was that?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56What's the problem?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59There's a bit of the roof that is not quite even.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02So some of it is nipping the edges.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07It's really important that the dome works, because that's the key point
0:20:07 > 0:20:08to stargazing.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11If it doesn't rotate, then I won't be able to see stuff in the sky.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13I'm just worried it's not going to work.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17There's a part of the roof that is slightly too thick and is catching
0:20:17 > 0:20:19when the dome starts to rotate.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22The only solution is to carefully trim the section down without
0:20:22 > 0:20:24damaging the rest of the roof.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Whoa.- Oh, found it.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Don't break it.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30After some painstakingly precise work,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33it's time to test the roof once again.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Looks good, guys.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Hey! It's so cool.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39360 degrees.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45The dengineers are over the moon, and Helena and Maral celebrate by
0:20:45 > 0:20:49making a start on planets for the den's very own solar system.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- Do we have a name for it? - Since it was made by you, Maralsion.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Amazing, I love it.- Yeah?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58With day two coming to a close,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01I grabbed five minutes with Helena's mum and dad to find out how
0:21:01 > 0:21:05important this den will be for our budding astrophysicist.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07What's it like for Helena living above the book shop?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Well, I think she really loves it, actually.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14It's a magical place, and she knows that books are just going to the
0:21:14 > 0:21:15- world to her.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18You must be busy, though. Are you open everyday?
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- Yeah, we're open every day. - Seven days.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22We haven't actually had a weekend for 13 years.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Do you think it's frustrating for Helena?
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Yes, I think so.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29We're really lucky to live near a dark sky park,
0:21:29 > 0:21:33which means that there's no light pollution.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35And you can see the stars really clearly.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39And that's even more frustrating for Helena, not to be able to get out,
0:21:39 > 0:21:42because we don't have the time to take her.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44With that in mind, what's this den going to mean to Helena?
0:21:44 > 0:21:47She's going to be able to just go down the garden and look at the
0:21:47 > 0:21:52- stars.- And it's just taking her that step from looking at the books,
0:21:52 > 0:21:55imagining, to actually exploring.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59The build has reached day three and from this point on,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Helena will not see her den again until the big reveal tomorrow.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07I'm not that nervous about not seeing my den until tomorrow,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09because I trust Maral and the Dengineers.
0:22:10 > 0:22:11With Helena out of sight,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Dengineer Harriet starts making a snazzy star chart for the inside of
0:22:15 > 0:22:19the den, so Helena can see what constellations are out there.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22What are you doing? This is a secret.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25And Helena is needed away from the den to help Maral with
0:22:25 > 0:22:26a cosy upcycle.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37What I have planned is to turn this old fleece blanket into a poncho
0:22:37 > 0:22:40that you can wear when you're stargazing in your observatory.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- Cool! Sounds great.- Sounds good?
0:22:43 > 0:22:46The first step is to fold the blanket into a triangle
0:22:46 > 0:22:48so Maral can cut a hole where Helena's head will go.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50So, we have our triangle, yeah?
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Now, how big is your head do you reckon?- This big.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56After making a head-shaped hole...
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- There we go. Actually, that fits quite well.- Hey!
0:23:00 > 0:23:04..Maral and Helena decorate the poncho with some cosmic creations.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- Hey!- That's a nice little star.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08That's cute.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11The next time Helena will see her stargazing poncho,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14it'll have pride of place in her amazing den.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Screw!
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Back on site, the team have been working flat out all afternoon,
0:23:20 > 0:23:24and the den is looking in great shape for the big reveal tomorrow.
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Boom.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28It means so much that Helena likes her den.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29We have all worked so hard.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31When that curtain opens tomorrow,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34I hope Helena will think this is the best den she could ever wish for.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42It's the morning of the big reveal, and there's just enough time to add
0:23:42 > 0:23:44some stellar finishing touches to the den.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49I am loving the little shooting star details on that.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- There we go.- Is that it, are we done? Yes!
0:23:59 > 0:24:03This space started as an empty patch of garden.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07But Maral and the dengineers have worked wonders in just four days,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11and transformed it into an awesome observatory perfect for exploring
0:24:11 > 0:24:13the universe.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16The stage is set for the big reveal, and Helena's friends,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20family, and classmates have arrived at the book shop eager to see
0:24:20 > 0:24:21the den.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23I am really excited about seeing my den.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26It will have changed a good lot, because Maral and the dengineers
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- are great.- It's going to help Helena in oh so many ways.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35She's going to be reaching for the stars, discovering, who knows?
0:24:35 > 0:24:38New planets. She maybe even name them after the Dengineers.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41The book shop is packed with people,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45including a special guest all the way from Nasa, Lee Graham,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48who first met Helena back when she was seven years old.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- Hello, Helena. - Oh, my gosh.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52Hello, Lee.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55I'm really excited about seeing Helena's den.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58There's probably 16,000 Nasa employees, and I'd hazard a guess
0:24:58 > 0:25:01that just about every one would love to have an observatory den in their
0:25:01 > 0:25:03back yard.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07The waiting is over, guys, because, in true space exploration style,
0:25:07 > 0:25:08it's countdown time.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14ALL: Three, two, one!
0:25:14 > 0:25:15CHEERING
0:25:18 > 0:25:20It's so good!
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Helena dreamt of her own observatory where she could explore space and
0:25:24 > 0:25:26search for life out in the universe.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30And the dengineers have produced a stratospheric show-stopper of a den.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34It's way better than I thought it was going to be.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Oh, that is awesome!
0:25:36 > 0:25:37She's gone, she's gone.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Dad, what do you think?
0:25:39 > 0:25:40I'm speechless.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46From above, the den looks like the start of the solar eclipse and the
0:25:46 > 0:25:49front is plastered with planets which make up Helena's very own
0:25:49 > 0:25:51solar system.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Do you want to see something a little bit special?
0:25:54 > 0:25:55Yeah?
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Turn it!
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Oh!
0:26:03 > 0:26:06In a Dengineers first, this den can rotate,
0:26:06 > 0:26:11giving our Helena a 360-degrees view of the night sky.
0:26:11 > 0:26:12We are missing somebody.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Maral!
0:26:14 > 0:26:16HELENA YELLS
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- Hi, everybody.- Hello!
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Hi.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I love it, it's great!
0:26:25 > 0:26:28I can't believe that this is in our garden.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31This observatory gets even better on the inside,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35with a gigantic telescope, a desk for Helena to note her cosmic
0:26:35 > 0:26:40findings, her upcycled poncho, and a star chart with added sparkle.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43- Hit this button.- This one?
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- SHE SCREAMS - Oh, my goodness me.
0:26:48 > 0:26:49My den's fantastic.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I love it. The dengineers have done such a good job.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56I love all the elements of hard work they've put into it.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59You'll be able to learn a lot and discover so many new things.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Thank you so, so much.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05You've brought my dreams to life.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08It has been my absolute pleasure of being part of Helena's journey in
0:27:08 > 0:27:11becoming an astrophysicist, hopefully, in the future.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Oh, my word!
0:27:14 > 0:27:17This is a poncho that I can wear when I'm stargazing.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Oh, I like that.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It's a thousand times better than I thought it was going to be.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24I had absolutely no idea it was going to look like this.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26It's just extraordinary.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Switch it and it turns on. - That's cool.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33I think Helena's den's going to get more girls into science,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36because you can see all the stars in the telescope.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41I just love how she wants to motivate and encourage girls
0:27:41 > 0:27:42to follow their dream.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46And, you know, whatever you wish for, as long as you try hard,
0:27:46 > 0:27:47you get it.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49I don't think she's ever going to forget this.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51It's going to launch her into the night sky.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Working with the dengineers has been a great experience.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58It's a one in a lifetime chance and I feel like the luckiest kid on the
0:27:58 > 0:27:59Earth.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02Everybody here in Scotland is in total agreement.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Helena's observatory den is out of this world.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09ALL: This den is done!
0:28:09 > 0:28:10CHEERING