Young Staindrop scientists keep it simple to win £500

ENGINEERS of the future have taken top honours at a regional competition.
A team from Staindrop Academy blew away their rivals by building the most water tight shelter from scratch in just a few hours.
The squad of year seven students has spent every Friday after school in term time running their own “STEM” group (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).
The eight pupils decided to apply their skills at an Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) competition against schools from across the North East.
Making the most of water bottles, paper bags and crisp packets, the Teesdale team came out on top to take home the £500 prize from New College Durham last week.
Judges at the finals were impressed with the group’s use of “eco-friendly” materials and logical use of what they had to hand. 
Team member Tilly Edwardson said the key was to make it simple.
She added: “Winning the competition means we can expand and do our own projects.”
Class teacher Stuart Pybus paid tribute to the commitment of the group for organising its own funds and taking on new projects.
He said: “They’ve been looking at building rockets, studying aerodynamics and they’ve looked at robots as well.
“The monetary prize will go back into the STEM sessions.
“If anyone feels they can contribute advice to our sessions – be it from agencies or people who have worked in engineering, they can get in touch with me at the school.”
To help out or find out more, contact Staindrop Academy on 01833 660285 and ask for Mr Pybus.