A team of budding engineers from Richmond School and Sixth Form College took first place in the intermediate category of the annual Rotary Technology Tournament Challenge.
Teams from across North Yorkshire descended on Catterick Leisure Centre to compete, each rising to a challenge to construct a machine to move pebbles.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College fielded three teams from Years 8, 10 and 12. The intermediate team won with the sixth formers taking a creditable second place.
The Year 8 team comprised Kitten Burrows-Egan, 15, of Brompton-on-Swale, Megan Duncan, 15, of Richmond, Ben Metcalfe, 15, of Muker, and Dan Eldred, 14, of Richmond.
The resistant materials and engineering students had to work together to design and build an electric pipe-clearing machine.
“It was a very intense competition but I think we did well,” said Kitten, who wants to be an actor one day.
Dan, who dreams of being a fighter pilot, added: “Our machine was a bit ugly but it worked really well.”
Ben, who is aiming to be an engineer, said: “I think it was a really useful exercise for me that will benefit me in the future.”
Megan, who wants to work in hospitality, added: “We were also judged on a design portfolio that we had to put together during the day.”
Technology teacher Tom Braham was delighted with the students’ performance. He said: “What really impressed me was how professional our students were and how they worked together to overcome issues and find solutions.
“I think the judges were particularly impressed with the Year 8s as their machine was operated by remote control and also had reverse gear.”