BUDDING scientists and engineers took part in science-based workshops and competitions at Middlesex University as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

Schoolchildren aged between 10 and 11-years-old were welcomed to the university on Saturday 19 for a Science and Engineering Competition day.

The event offered interactive workshops including demonstrations on how to make and launch rockets, programme robots and finger printing.

The youngsters also took part in a science quiz and interacted with gadgets including a robotic dinosaur called Pleo which can react to human gestures and tone of voice.

Pupils from 15 schools competed by collecting points in the workshops and the team with the most points won a prize at the end of the day.

Schools which took part included St Joseph’s Junior School in Hendon, St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School in Mill Hill and The Orion Primary School in Grahame Park.

First place on the day went to Alex McMinn and Christopher Dunkin from St Mary’s CE Primary School in Finchley.

The winning pair were awarded a robot helicopter each and a £100 voucher for their school to spend on design and technology resources.