BUILDING with LEGO was more than just child's play for competitive students from South Craven School.

They used the plastic bricks during a challenge day involving STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

The seven youngsters solved problems, presented solutions and designed robots during the regional heat of the first Lego League in Bradford.

There were also real-world applications for the students' efforts, as they gave a research presentation on how irrigation methods could be used to help future housing developments.

They adopted the Skipton floodplains as their inspiration, thinking of a method to construct houses while providing renewable power sources.

The Team Seal Brix' team from the school, in Cross Hills, was made up of Edward Naylor, Isaac Nevin, Jack Birch, Sasha Davies, Oliver Wylde, Patrick Ferguson and Alex Gregory. They were supported by teachers Lydia Cooper, James Trunks and Lesley Sanderson.

Mrs Cooper said the students worked hard, relishing the opportunity to complete a robotics challenge.

She said: "The competition gives youngsters food for thought and possible career pathways and has potentially helped inspire the next generation of engineers"

The South Craven team's work secured a place in the top 10/15 schools that entered, coming ninth.

Mrs Cooper added: "Although Team Seal Brix not win any awards or get invited to the national competition, they enjoyed the opportunity to work on real-world STEM and engineering-based problems through the medium of LEGO.

"They are a pleasure to work with and are true assets to the school, by the way they conducted themselves on the day and how they engaged with the staff at the University of Bradford and the students who entered the regional competition."

Team Seal Brix are now helping another group of budding engineers with their LEGO robotics challenge, which takes place next month (February).