Science savvy pupils from around the region were at St Philomena's School for the regional round of a problem solving competition.

Schools from all over the area are competing in The Problem Solving Challenge organised by Science and Technology Regional Organisation (Satro). The 15-16 category was won by Nonsuch High School for Girls.

The teams of six pupils had one and a half hours to construct the best solution to the problem set by the judges. This year the task was to design and build a lunar landing craft to be dropped from the table top to land safely on the floor carrying a light bulb and electrical circuit.

Almost 200 students from 13 local schools competed at St Philomena’s School, Carshalton in the third of five heats to find this year's champions.

The winners and runners up will meet at the county final to be held at Charterhouse School, Godalming, on Thursday, March 18. The events coincide with National Science and Engineering Week.

Winners of the heat in the 11-14 age group were Royal Russell School with Nonsuch High School for Girls as runners up. Second place in the 15-16 age group was Trinity School. Trinity School again took top place for the 17-18 age group with Wilson’s School as runners up.

The Problem Solving Challenge aims to support the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths at primary and secondary levels.