In pictures: Pupils submerge themselves in First Lego League Challenge Cambridge tournament

Teams from all over East Anglia competed at The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s First Lego League Challenge Cambridge tournament.

The event was full of STEM challenges under this year’s theme of ‘Submerged’.

Sponsored and funded by Qualcomm, 11 teams of young people, aged 9-16, put their skills to the test as they went head-to-head for a place in the National Finals in May.

Students used a Lego robot to take part in a mission-based course with the chance to score points, with the team with the highest number of points being declared the winner.

After a day of fierce competition, hosted at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, Team Activ8 were crowned regional champions, progressing to the National Finals. Other winners were:

- Champions Award – Team Activ8
- Robot Design – Sharnbroo Academy
- Robot Performance – Team CERC
- Core Values Award – Rock Road Library
- Team Coach Award – Luks All Saints Academy
- Innovation Project Award – Team CERC
- Judges Award (Breakthrough) – Stephen Perse Foundation
- Judges Award (Rising All Star) – Wonky Bricks

Robert Young, vice president of technology at Qualcomm, said: “Supporting events like this is our way of championing STEM learning for young minds, helping them build valuable skills for the future.”

“Each year, this initiative gives dozens of children the chance to dive into STEM, sparking creativity and inspiring the next generation of innovators — all while having fun!”

Shilpi Singla, for Team Activ8, said: “This remarkable achievement marks another milestone for Team Activ8. Last year, after winning both the Regional and National levels of the First Lego League Competition, they proudly represented the UK on the global stage at the Asia Pacific Open Championship (APOC) in Sydney, Australia. Their exceptional performance earned them the prestigious Rising All Stars Award, bringing immense pride.”