YOUNG scientists from Cirencester Kingshill School and Bourton-on-the-Water’s Cotswold School will be joining other pupils this week for an engineering challenge.

Both schools will put a team of six 12 and 13 year-olds forward for the Faraday engineering challenges held at Abbeyfield School in Chippenham and Stroud High School.

The aim of organisers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), is to encourage more young people to study and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Head of science at Cirencester Kingshill School Sharon Pearson said: “We are always keen to take part in events which extend the curriculum and enrich what the students are doing. I am personally keen to push engineering. It is important to look at the applications of science in a wider context.”

Students from nine schools across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire will be taking part in the Faraday engineering challenge days, which involve 270 schools across the UK.

The three top teams will be invited to participate in the UK final at the Big Bang Fair in London during March to battle it out for the top prize of £1,000.

Gareth James, the IET’s head of education, said: “The young people attending the challenge days will experience hands-on practical events to challenge their perceptions and make them realise engineering is an exciting, rewarding career path.”