SCIENCE and maths whizzes from Parkside School headed off site for prestigious events.

Young eggheads from the Cullingworth school vied for success in the regional finals of the Maths Challenge at Bradford Grammar School. And budding engineers beat all-comers at the Tomorrow’s Engineers Robotics Challenge at BAE Systems in Lancashire.

Oliver Rhodes, Emily Wood, Isobel Bland, Thomas Windle and Adam Harris, who went under the name Brute Force, showed outstanding communication and problem-solving skills at the Robotics Challenge.

They had prepared for months at the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) club at lunchtimes and after school.

The challenges involved designing and testing a robot, building a bridge from Lego, and giving a presentation on how robots can help give humanitarian aid after natural disasters.

Science teacher Lydia Cooper said judges felt Parkside students had shown the best teamwork and cooperation of the day.

She said: “We were very proud of how the group tackled everything thrown their way and showed great commitment and determination throughout the day. It was therefore well deserved when Parkside were announced as the winners of the regional heat and given a place at the national final at the Big Bang Fair at the Birmingham NEC.”

In the Maths Challenge, Ted Brooks, Kacie Hutchinson, Anya Learmonth and Shifa Voller took on students from 29 other Yorkshire schools, including last year’s winners Bradford Grammar.

Making their debut in the competition, the youngsters had spent many hours studying material from last year’s competition.

They spent a full day tackling gruelling problems, gaining a good score for each round, and finishing 16th, nine places up from last year.

Parkside maths teacher William Voller said: “They were a credit to the school and the local community, remaining positive and resilient throughout.

“Quietly Ted, Kacie, Anya and Shifa knew they had achieved something truly special, which was no less of a victory. Next year, with weekly classes, the top ten is a real possibility.”

The winners were Ermysteds Grammar School from Skipton.