Budding engineers bridged the generations last week as part of a national scheme to find the builders of the future.

Students from six Herts secondary schools, including Barnwell, Nobel, Marriotts, Thomas Alleynes and Hitchin Girls’ were tasked with researching, designing and building solutions to a real engineering problem at the Faraday Challenge Day at The Institute of Engineering and Technology in Stevenage.

Nigel Fine, chief exec of the institute, said the day was part of a wide-ranging education programme which aims to inspire the next generation of engineers.

“These hands-on practical events challenge young people’s perceptions about engineering and show that it is an exciting, rewarding career path.”

Stevenage MP, Stephen McPartland, who supported the event, said the event reflected the strength of the industry in the town.

“I am delighted we have such a strong engineering base in Stevenage and we are lucky to have such gifted youngsters who will no doubt become the great engineers of the future.”

Marriotts School took first prize on the day, with Barnwell coming second.

The challenge days across the UK aim to encourage young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.