AN all-girl team of budding engineers from Corbridge Middle School has scooped the top prize at a regional competition.

The first part of the ICE Inspire competition saw youngsters aged 11 to 13 from across the North-East invited to produce a two-minute video with the aim of inspiring youngsters into a civil engineering career.

The competition, organised by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) North East, was devised in an effort to combat the skills shortage in the UK engineering industry by inspiring a new generation to study STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths).

The top six groups, which included Corbridge Middle School, were then put to the test at Newcastle College’s Rail Academy for the final of the competition.

The team of five from Corbridge Middle School were tasked with designing, building and testing a waterproof shelter.

They had limited materials and a set budget, and were guided by built environment students from Newcastle College, who offered structural advice.

Corbridge Middle School was thrilled when its team came in first, winning £500 for the school and a £50 voucher for each member of the team.

Gaynor Walker Thomas, leader of art and design technology at the school, said: “I’m really proud of the team, especially that they’re all girls within an engineering competition.

“I’ve watched them work today and they’ve been absolutely great the way they’ve worked together and communicated as a team.”

A judging panel made up of local engineers and ICE representatives, including the president of ICE, Professor Lord Robert Mair, awarded points based on design, group contribution, originality and ingenuity, use of the budget, structural integrity and aesthetics.

Prof. Mair said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the competition.

“It was a great opportunity for me to see the future of engineering talent in the North-East.”