Kids show their tech skills ... by building a robot in a major Lego competition

It was part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s First Lego League tournament - a global competition aimed at encouraging youngsters to take an interest in real-world issues and to develop the skills to help solve them.

The Gatwick sponsored tournament was organised by STEM Sussex, the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths outreach department based at the University of Brighton.

Youngsters aged 9 -16 were tasked to research and develop an innovative solution to a specific problem, then build, program and test a Lego Mindstorm robot to complete a set of missions, presenting their work to teams of judges.

Winners were Northcote Lodge School, Wandsworth, who will now go through to the national final in February. Newick CE Primary School also took part and a teachers’ spokesman later said: “It is an awesome opportunity for children. The children have given up their own time to take part, which shows their commitment and enthusiasm. It has taught them perseverance and problem solving skills.”