SCHOOL children from across Gloucestershire put their thinking caps last week when they took part in an Engineering Development Trust Challenge.

Eight schools including The Cotswold School and Winchcombe School took part in the challenge at the CLC Sports Centre in Cheltenham on November 15.

The activities were arranged in conjunction with Engineering Development Trust’s First Edition Days.

One hundred and twenty five Year 9 and 10 students undertook a series of hands-on activities which encouraged team working, creativity and innovation.

Divided into small teams, the students were challenged to create scaled-down disaster relief shelters, bridges and communications towers using only a few basic materials.

Ro Kaye, Community Links Co-ordinator and Physics Teacher at Cheltenham Ladies’ College arranged the activities.

She said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for students to get out of the classroom and experience problem solving, design and team work with people they don’t know, as well as furthering their understanding of the roles of Engineers and Architects in the real world.”