Two teams from Wanganui Girls' College won first and second places in complex maths engineering challenges at the Tournament of Minds regional competition in Palmerston North last weekend.
The winning team's challenge, Spooky Action at a Distance, required them to construct a vehicle from clear plastic so that it was almost invisible and have it travel along a set path carrying cargo.
Additional requirements were to devise a scenario, write a script which required dressing up, stick to strict parameters and spend no more than $75 on materials.
Teacher Rakesh Desai said the students involved had six weeks to prepare for the challenge and they were not allowed to ask for help from their teachers or parents.
"They have worked very hard during lunch hours and after school to prepare for the challenge and their efforts really paid off," he said.