From left, Georgia, Emma, Amy, Taylor and Megan

==

GIRL power has taken two talented teams of inventors to the finals of a national competition.

Bright sparks from St Columba's High School have been selected for the finals of the TeenTech Awards in the first year the school has entered the contest.

Taylor Docherty and Megan Quinn have devised Overscribe, pen with a pull-over coloured banner, an overlay, to help people with dyslexia and learning difficulties.

Meanwhile fashion-conscious trio Amy Brown, Georgia Murphy and Emma McAnally have designed an app called Fashion to Face, a virtual changing room.

Their innovative ideas have captured the imagination of judges and they will attend the Royal Society in London on June 25.

Megan said: "When we first started our project we decided we wanted to help people with learning disabilities or dyslexia.

"Both our families have a background in that and we researched different disabilities.

"Taylor came up with the idea and we also did a survey in the school and support for learning, so we did our market research."

Of her team's creation, Georgia said: "A 3D scanner scans your body and say for example, you saw a top you liked, instead of seeing it on a model, you would see it on your own body.

"So you would know if it fitted before buying it."

It is the first time the school has entered the competition and teachers are delighted.

Christina Owen, teacher of design and technology, said: "As a department and as a school it is the first time we have entered the TeenTech challenge and with the amount of work these two teams have put in we are delighted that their efforts have been recognised.

"The work all the girls have put in is outstanding."

The girls are currently fundraising to raise £700 towards the cost of the trip and organising sponsored events, but they are also looking for local companies to support them.

The TeenTech Awards challenges young people aged 11-19 to tackle key societal and environmental issues using the power of science, technology and engineering.

Each year, finalists present their ideas live to a panel of judges made up of celebrities, journalists and eminent academics and the overall winners will then be invited to present their idea to HRH Duke of York.

If anyone can help sponsor the St Columba's teams they should call the school on 715250.