STUDENTS at the Wey Valley School have been making Lego robots complete tasks in a problem-solving challenge.

A total of 168 year-eight pupils, teachers from all the departments of science, information technology, mathematics and design and technology and many different helpers took part in the event.

Head of the problem solving faculty, Hywel Jeffcott said: "All the departments are designed to solve problems in different ways and the idea is that this faculty day enables students from all the different areas in year eight to solve problems with Bath university and Yeovil College.

"Bath University have come down to help students with a scenario, they've brought down Lego kits which can be computer controlled and computers which can control vehicles. The students had to design vehicles that have to complete a series of tasks in an ocean scenario.

"They had to design and program the vehicles and then set them along a course to do various tasks - mend a pipeline, rescue dolphins and go over ramps into different areas."

He added: "The purpose is to enable students to work in teams, teaching children to learn to communicate with other people, to listen and to solve problems.

"Solving problems is a skill that you need in every area of life and this is where we hope to start off that process of learning."

Year eight pupil Jake Dawkins said: "We've been making robots and we were the first to finish. We've done two objects already and we're on our third.

"It's hard as you go along but it gets easier when you know the programme and it's a good way to get social with people you never liked before or people you don't get on with.

"It's been good. We've got a little way to go, but we'll get there."