GIFTED primary school students were invited to Tavistock College to work on an exciting environmental technology project — before pitching their ideas to four judges.

Some of the brightest Year 5 and 6 students from Tavistock College's 16 feeder schools were put into mixed teams and given the task of designing solar powered vehicles from recycled materials.

Tavistock College students helped them make their vehicles and put together advertising campaigns before the groups presented their plans in a Dragons' Den-style competition. Their engineering, IT and communication skills were put to the test as they made use of the college's specialist Design and Technology (DT) facilities.

Heather Richardson, co-organiser of the event, said: 'It's about getting primary school kids really challenged by giving them opportunities to use equipment they wouldn't have and give them a facility to develop their creativity.

'They were working with people they'd never met before; it was a real workplace experience. They looked at re-using and recycling, alternative energy and trying to promote their product.'

Each day, the groups had three hours to complete their work before exhibiting their prototypes to a panel of four local business people and community figures. The students demonstrated their vehicles in action before being grilled by the 'Dragons', who were left impressed with their ability to think on the spot and respond to tough questions.

When asked by the Dragons if they had considered the limitations of solar power, one group replied that the car would power itself during the day and a back-up battery would be present if needed for night time driving.

Peter Harding, managing director of Fairway Furniture and one of the Dragons on the first day, said: 'All four of us were completely gob-smacked and very impressed with the work that had been achieved in just three hours.'

Mr Harding was joined by the Rev Roger Carlton, chair of governors at Bickleigh Down Primary School; Alan Wroath and Steve Grummit from Tavistock Lions Club; Devon county councillor Christine Marsh; Colin Brent, the Times editor; Graeme Barriball from Launceston Round Table; and Mandy Govier, mayor of Tavistock.

The mayor presented all students with certificates before the Dragons announced the ultimate winners and the victorious groups received medals as a reward for their excellent work.

One of the children said: 'It was a great day — we met new people and made new friends. We like DT because of the way you can build things and make anything you want.'

Sheila Neethling, a teacher at Bickleigh Down Primary School, said she was completely amazed by how the children had worked together.

She said: 'Most of them have never met each other, let alone worked together before. It's been a really good experience. A very big thank you to all the Tavistock College students who helped out.'

Kui Holmes, headteacher of Lifton Primary School and co-organiser of the event, said she was pleased at the turn-out of parents who came to view the trade fair and question the students about their designs.

She said: 'This has been a very successful joint venture which benefitted all the pupils who took part. These children will be our future scientists. Their concern about the greenhouse effect has given them the inspiration to design and create a vehicle run by renewable solar energy. Who knows, their ideas might be seen on our roads in the not too distant future.'