YOUNG people with designs on success put their skills to the test to engineer a win.

Pupils from Canon Slade School, Rivington and Blackrod High School, Sharples School, Westhoughton High School and Bolton School boy took part in a borough wide technology tournament run by the Rotary Club.

The idea was to test young people learning in the STEM subjects ­— science, technology, engineering and mathematics ­— and as a way of inspiring the next generation to work in those fields.

Staged at Bolton School, the teams were challenged to build a tower and billboard with a flashing beacon on top. They had to work from scratch, without help from their teachers, using their engineering skills and knowledge of electronics to construct a working model. They also drew on their artistic talents to decorate the billboards.

The judges and Rotary Club members circulated throughout the process to see how the groups worked together throughout the tournament.

The teams were judged on their design, development of a solution and communication of ideas.

A spokesman said: “The judges were also looking for evidence of planning and teamwork and the each group’s portfolio of ideas. The models were also tested to see if they could achieve a goal number of flashes, with extra points scored if the group managed to beat the goal by 10 or more.

“After much deliberation, the top three teams were awarded medals: two teams from Canon Slade School received gold and silver, with the bronze going to Rivington and Blackrod High School. Canon Slade School also earned overall first place in the tournament.”

Patrick Tyrell, District Governor of the Rotary Club, presented the teams with their prizes. The Rotary Club said that technology tournaments support not only academic learning, but teach skills such as teamwork, communication and timekeeping.