STUDENTS got the opportunity to become real-life engineers.

Youngsters from The Gilberd School, in Colchester, researched, designed and built solutions as part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday Challenge Day.

A numbers of challenges are taking place across the UK during the 2020-21 season.

Up to six teams will compete at each to find the best solution to an engineering task.

Gazette: Honor Coulson, Bella French, Thushara Sarath, Eleanor Eunson, Anna Bloomfield

Great minds think alike - Honor Coulson, Bella French, Thushara Sarath, Eleanor Eunson and Anna Bloomfield

Thirty-one Gilberd students took part and competed against each other and other teams around the country.

This year’s challenge was in association with Network Rail.

Gazette: From left to right: Adam Northcott, Oscar Mcgill, Dylan Curtis, Sam Curtis, Aran Doug, Ewan Jones

Collaboration - pictured above, from left to right, are the team of Adam Northcott, Oscar Mcgill, Dylan Curtis, Sam Curtis, Aran Doug and Ewan Jones

It was based on railway engineering but the brief was kept secret, to avoid unfair preparation.

Teams had to race against the clock to solve a real-life problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test.

Gazette: From left to right: Callum Fox, Adam Birt, Jack Seago-Sheekey, Zach Lane, Louis Newell

Working together - Gilberd students Callum Fox, Adam Birt, Jack Seago-Sheekey, Zach Lane and Louis Newell

Matthew Wilby, key stage three science coordinator, said: “The students who took part really enjoyed the event, thriving on the opportunity to think for themselves, manage their own budget and build a prototype entirely from their own imagination.

"The events aim to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and maths by using creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills."

The winning group was Sandijs Cecins, Adam Kurobiowski, Sara Nave, Chales Lino and Isabelle Field.

They were awarded a prize and trophy and all the students who took part received a certificate.

Gazette: From left to right: Stef Stefanova, Aishnni Ghiya, Jessica Firth, Grace Williams, Elyzeh Abrar

Girl power - Stef Stefanova, Aishnni Ghiya, Jessica Firth, Grace Williams and Elyzeh Abrar

The Gilberd's winning team made the top five from across the UK and will now compete for a cash prize of up to £1,000.

READ MORE: