YOUNGSTERS from the North-East spent yesterday learning about robotics on a school trip to encourage them to consider engineering as a possible career.

Year ten pupils aged 14 and 15 from Carmel Technology College, in Darlington, learnt how to program robots to carry out simple tasks and discovered how many appliances use the same technology.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for students to gain an insight into engineering, from mechanical and process, to construction, electronic and control," said Julie Mennell, the University of Teesside's assistant director in the school of science and technology.

"I'm sure they will have their eyes opened to an exciting range of careers."

The pupils were visiting the university as part of a programme of activities organised through the Tees Valley Engineering Partnership which aim to show the varied applications of engineering.

The pupils have also visited several local engineering firms, including Huntsman and Kvaerner.