PUPILS in Burnham have been taking part in a national science and technology competition.

Year 8 and 9 students at Ormiston Rivers Academy have been taking part in the Little BIG Awards for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The competition, sponsored by technology company Cisco Systems Inc, challenges students to consider how life could be made better by connecting everyday things using the internet.

Students will be assisted by an industry ambassador to solve a problem, design, develop, make a prototype and build a business plan.

Managing Director of Simboc and STEM Ambassador, David Bell, visited the Academy last Wednesday to hear the students’ ideas and give advice on how they could improve or adapt their designs.

He said: “The ideas the students have come up with are really impressive. It was great to see younger students getting involved in industrial awards.”

Stuart Conway, Head of Computing at the Academy, added: “It is great to see our students gain experience of how ideas are grown into business plans and actual production.

“The award gives them a great opportunity to work in teams to solve problems they have identified. I enjoyed the visit by David Bell who gave practical advice to the students about their ideas and the competition.”