Engineers of the future got to test their mettle by building model bridges as 21 teams drawn from five Stevenage secondary schools did their best to construct prize-winning projects.

The Comet: Teams building bridges at the Rotary Technology TournamentTeams building bridges at the Rotary Technology Tournament (Image: Archant)

21 teams drawn from five Stevenage secondary schools took part in the annual Rotary Technology Tournament which gave them the task of building a cantilever bridge that could be raised so boats could sail underneath, and lowered so cars could pass over.

The event was held in a lab at The Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering at Monkswood Way.

Stevenage Rotary Club member Alex Lang said: “It never ceases to amaze me what the pupils come up with.

“The standard was incredibly high and it’s amazing the thought that goes into this and the logic and reasoning behind their decision making.

“The ingenuity was absolutely brilliant.”

The mixed male and female teams of four students had to put together a portfolio explaining their reasoning and then build their bridges from a range of provided materials.

Their solutions were judged by a team of engineers and Rotarians including staff from Stevenage missile systems firm MBDA. There were three different levels of competition – foundation, intermediate and advanced.

Thomas Alleyne Academy won the foundation level with Marriotts School coming runner-up.

The intermediate categorywas topped by a team from the Da Vinci Studio School with Thomas Alleyne in second and Barnwell School topped the advanced level with John Henry Newman in runners-up spot.

All pupils received a certificate and the winners were presented with a trophy to keep for a year.

The event was organised by Stevenage Rotary Club and education charity Setpoint Hertfordshire, which promotes youth awareness of science and technology.