YOUNG people with designs on success are engineering themselves a bright future.

More than 70 Year Nine students from five schools took part in Bolton’s second Technology Tournament led by the Rotary Clubs of Bolton Daybreak and Bolton-le-Moors, which also involved other local clubs.

The idea was to encourage to inject excitement into the STEM — science, technology, engineering and maths — subjects and encourage the next generation to study them and help close the skills gap.

The students were tasked with building a bridge or designing a vehicle out of materials supplied.

They had to interpret, design and build their project before having it tested against set criteria. Independent judges followed each of the teams throughout the event and awarded prizes for the most successful projects.

Awards were presented to the best teams with the overall winner receiving the Spirit of Technology.

Ray Jefferson, from the Rotary Club of Bolton Daybreak, said: “The event concluded with a talk given by Dr Margaret Emsley from the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at the University of Manchester. In it she emphasised the necessity and value of engineering in all aspects of life, and particularly emphasised the openings available to girls for a successful and fulfilling career.”

He added: “The event, held at Sharples School, encouraged students to appreciate the excitement and value of engineering as a career choice.

“The ‘Spirit of Technology’ trophy was won by Canon Slade School.”

The best vehicle was produced by Bolton School boys’ division by Umar Awais, Uzair Mulla, Matthew Syers and Alastair Watts.

The best bridge was produced by Aasiya Ahmed, Ilhan Hassan, Kenny Orobosa and Isa Patel from Bolton University Technical College.

The first technology challenge took place at the Albert Halls and was hailed a huge success.