TWO girls from Inverclyde Academy are engineering a bright future after seeing off 800 other applicants to win a place at a select summer school.

Almost 1,000 girls applied to be part of the summer school and S3 pupils Rachel O’Conner and Marissa McQuillan were two of just 100 chosen.

They are looking forward to taking part in a wide range of challenges and finding out more about the different fields of engineering.

Marissa, 13, said: “I enjoy science subjects and saw the poster showing the summer school.

"It appealed to me because you get to try all the different fields.

"I don’t have a particular one in mind that I’d like to get into so this might help me decide.”

The pupils had to complete an application stating why they were interested in engineering and a little about an engineer who inspired them.

Rachel, 14, said: “I wrote about Emily Roebling who took charge after her husband who was constructing the Brooklyn Bridge fell ill.

“She inspires me because she was one of the first females on the team and proved that she could do it.”

Teacher Scott McHendry is delighted that the pupils won through the tough selection process.

He said: “I am so proud of both girls being picked.

"Both of them are driven to do well in school and clearly work hard, so it's great to see all of their effort and hard work being rewarded by taking part in such a prestigious opportunity at a world-renowned university.

“I was really taken aback by how well the girls had researched information and famous female engineers for their applications. They had clearly spent a lot of time writing them and demonstrated just how passionate they are for pursing an engineering career.

“Engineering has historically been dominated by males and the profession is losing such large potential in not having more women following such a career path."

Both girls hope to inspire younger pupils to follow in their footsteps.

Rachel said: “I am looking forward to it and would say to anyone else with an interest to apply."

Mr McHendry added: “I am hoping that this shows younger girls in the school and around the local area that the outdated idea of a 'woman's job' or 'man's job' isn't really the case anymore."