SEVEN schools in Bournemouth and Poole took part in a competition aiming to encourage more teens to consider a career in science, technology, engineering and maths.

Organised by the Soroptomist International Bournemouth branch, the STEM Challenge saw 22 groups of young people work to a specific brief which was to create a solution to help people in the poorest parts of the world.

The ideas were wide-spanning but there could only be one winning team from the Years 8 and 9 category, which were Katy Sawdon, Charlotte Brad, Isabelle Whitlock and Molly Clay, all aged 13 from Highcliffe School. Together they created the Hydro-Walker, which is an alternative way for somebody to carry a large amount of water, which they carry on their shoulders or pull on the ground.

Charlotte said: "It is made out of seatbelts, which there are lots of from waste cars and polypropylene, which is lightweight, durable, easy to clean and cheap to make.

"It will have a filter to keep out the mud and stones and will come with water purifying solution to make it safe to drink. We'd maybe sell these at charity events and the straps can be made longer or shorter, so a child or an adult could use it."

The judges included Natalie Jones and Claire Bradley from Sembcorp Water, Judy Waite from Procter and Gamble, James Palfreyman-Kay from Bournemouth University, Kim Drake from Bournemouth Council and Dan Storey of Dan Storey Landscaping.

By being chosen as the top group Team Striving, who created the Hydro-Walker, won £250 as a prize for their school and £50 each for themselves.

Bobbie White, programme action officer for Soroptomist International Bournemouth branch, who organised the STEM Challenge said: "The girls have had a whole lot of fun working and producing their projects and because they were judged at different times, they could see what each-other had also created.

"The aim is to encourage more girls to go into STEM-based careers. We go with the school Years 8 and 9 groups because that is when they are considering their GCSE options and we have had instances in the past where young people have chosen different topics after taking part in the challenge."

The event was sponsored by Sydenhams Ltd, Mouchel and Bournemouth University.