STUDENTS from three Redditch schools were put through their paces when they became engineers for the day.

Pupils from Woodfield Academy, St Bede’s Catholic Middle School and Birchensale Middle School researched, designed and built solutions to real engineering problems during the Faraday Challenge Day organised by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The contest, which took place on Thursday, February 9, saw teams from each school racing against the clock to find the best solution to problems faced by the Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing team.

The event aimed to encourage more young people to study and consider careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Alison Chapman, head of design technology at Woodfield Academy, said: "All students who participated in the day worked exceptionally hard and came up with a wide range of imaginative ideas. The day itself was thoroughly enjoyed by all students and staff who participated."

Holly Margerison-Smith, IET Faraday education manager, added: "Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days this year will experience working as an engineer through hands-on and practical engagement with real-life challenges relating to the Land Rover BAR team in the hope that this will give them an insight into the life of a real engineer, the variety a career in engineering can offer and the central role it plays in our everyday lives."

Birchensale Middle School scooped the prize but each student received a prize and a trophy for their school.

The top teams from across the UK will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the national final in 2016 to compete for a cash prize of up to £1,000 for their school.