STUDENTS from nine different schools were challenged to put their heads together to join in the space race.

Hosted at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCOT), the annual “space race” saw the teams from the schools compete to build a space capsule launcher.

The event is organised by Basingstoke Loddon Rotary and supported by other local Rotary clubs to get youngsters interested in STEM subjects.

During the competition the race was on to see which teams would win this year’s trophies.

Tensions grew during the vertical launches as some space capsules soared up to the ceiling, whilst others, just like some real space rocket tests, failed to take off, crashed or dropped back before reaching the desired height.

All the students involved enjoyed the event and after some deliberation the judges selected the winning teams, with the winners being presented with their certificates by Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Paul Frankum.

As an added bonus, students from the Foundation and Intermediate groups who participated may apply for the British Science Association’s CREST Discovery Award.

BM Injection, a high-tech engineering company from Whitchurch, is generously sponsoring the Discovery Award Fee for each participating student.

The winners of each category were as follows:

Foundation (Ages 11-14): Overall - The Clere School Portfolio – Sherfield School

Intermediate (Ages 15-16): Overall - The Vyne Community School Portfolio - Sherfield School

Advanced (Ages 17-19): Overall - Queen Mary’s College Portfolio - Queen Mary’s College