Canford School has claimed a clean sweep of first and second prizes in the Year 9 category of the ninth annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Challenge.

Organised by Soroptimist International Bournemouth for Year 8 and 9 girls the awards night took place at Bournemouth University recently.

Teams were asked to design, research and build a product, with the results displayed at the awards night before the winners were announced.

The Year 8 winners were from Noadswood School, of Dibden Purlieu, Hythe, with their project Nutrition Aid and the runners-up were from Lytchett Minster School.

Gail Thomas, honorary secretary of Soroptimist International Bournemouth, said: “Congratulations to everyone who took part. The standard of entries was excellent and the winners did well to triumph against some very tough competition.”

The aim of the annual challenge is to encourage girls to overcome gender-based barriers by selecting STEAM subjects and following related careers.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset Angus Campbell, mayors from local councils and sponsors, including Bournemouth Water and Ellis Jones.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for professional and businesswomen, which celebrates its centenary this year. Its aims are to enable, educate and empower women and girls all over the world.