BUDDING engineers went head-to-head in a Lego challenge to test their science skills.

Around 100 pupils, aged nine to 16, from schools in Carlisle and Eden districts took part in the FIRST LEGO League, with a place in the national final at stake.

The competition was the largest of its type in the world and seeks to develop STEM skills, which stand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Worldwide the competition has 40,000 teams across 100 countries.

The north Cumbrian heat took place at the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street campus, in Carlisle, and involved students building Lego robots and competing in a series of tests.

They were judged on their skills in robotics, computer programming, teamwork, research, problem solving and communication.

Austin Friars school, Carlisle, came out champions and will go through to the final.

Jack Hutchinson, 10, from Austin Friars School said: “ It has been really good fun we have been working as a team and on all the different aspects of the competition.

“We have been working on our project twice a day at school and at home we have been coming up with ideas to solve any problems.”

Michael Robinson, assistant headteacher at Austin Friars, said: “It has been amazing the children have been so dedicated and enthusiastic.”

Awards were also handed out to Appleby Primary, High Hesket, Stanwix, and Newlaithes Junior School.

Others schools competing included Castle Carrock, Fir Ends, Smithfield, Lime House, Penruddock Primary and Warwick Bridge Primary.

Schools in the area have taken part in the FIRST LEGO League for the first time thanks to a collaboration between University of Cumbria, C-STEM and the west Cumbrian-based REACT Foundation.

Pete Woolaghan, from the Foundation, said: “We started FIRST LEGO League four years ago as a pilot with six schools and we’ve grown significantly since then.

“When we started, at that time, Cumbria was the only region of the country without a team in the competition.

“At the end of last season, we had 67 teams and we’re now the biggest region in the country – Cumbria can be rightly proud of that.

“It is wonderful to see the introduction of FIRST LEGO League in Carlisle and Eden.”