STUDENTS from Weatherhead High School in Wallasey took the runner-up prize after entering a prestigious science and engineers competition.

The group - Sanjita After, Emma Baldwin-Quirk and Libby Evans - had entered their 'Water Aid Filtration Crate' into the intermediate engineering category in the finals of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition. 

They reached the UK finals of The Competition after winning a place in the Big Bang North West regional heats.

As part of the project, the girls developed the idea for an aluminium, reusable and recyclable crate to replace the cardboard and plastic-wrapped crates that are used to transport aid to refugees who have been displaced across the world due to their religion, war or extreme weather conditions.

Once emptied the aluminium crate could then be put to asnother use, that of collecting and purifying rainwater, stream water or other contaminated water to make it fit for human consumption.

More than 300 young people from across the country were selected to be finalists of the competition, an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work.

The pupils win £250 in prize money to continue on their STEM journey as well as a trophy and certificate.

Hilary Leevers, chief executive of EngineeringUK, which organises The Big Bang Competition, said: "The judges have been blown away by the quality of entries from all the finalists – not only for their brilliant new ideas but for how eloquently they spoke about them in their videos that were submitted.

"We've also been really impressed with all of the students for their passion and resilience in taking part this year in spite of the hugely challenging circumstances, including some students being in self-isolation during the process.

"Huge congratulations to Sanjita, Emma and Libby whose innovative project has seen them awarded as the intermediate runner up in the engineering category of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition.

"It certainly bodes well for the future that the scientists, engineers and inventors of tomorrow are already producing such astute and creative project work – congratulations to all those involved."