Two teams of talented schoolgirls have progressed to a national robotics championship.

Pupils from Bournemouth School for Girls’ robotics club put their mechanical, electrical and software engineering skills to the test in the FIRST Tech Challenge.

The task involved students designing robots to go around an arena placing cones on poles, navigating around them autonomously as well as working with and against teams from other schools in the region.

After six months of preparation, BSG’s two teams travelled to The American School in London for the south east regional final where they competed against 22 other teams for a spot in the national championship.

Team ULTRAVIOLET came third and progressed straight to the national event, winning an award for its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) outreach in the community.

By the end of the day, BSG’s second team – Team ENJENIOUS – also made it through.

The pupils now have a few months to strategise and make further improvements to their robots ahead of the national championship at Cambridge University on June 23.

Robotics team coach and assistant headteacher Toby Osbourne said: “For a rookie team they did so well, so much effort and learning went into their robots and portfolios, and I’m so pleased we have so many girls inspired to take on engineering and tech-based skills and be #morethanrobots, which is the club’s main aim.”

The teams are looking for business sponsorship to support their trip to the national championship. Due to popular demand, the club is hoping to expand to a third team from September. For more information, visit wearebsg.uk/robotics.