YOUNG computer scientists have proven they are ahead of the game after winning a university competition to showcase next generation digital expertise.
The team of 12 to 14-year-olds from The King's Academy, Coulby Newham, beat sixth form students to win Expo Tees NextGen 2015.
Six schools and colleges from the Tees Valley took part in the competition, which set the challenge of developing a product that promoted education using new technologies.
The King's Academy team of Matthew Richardson, Olviya Silvary, Bailey Walters, Hassan Maqsood and Zachary Dodsworth came up with Histor-Vision, a game concept using oculus rift technology that, through special goggles, immerses the player in a historical environment and allows them to move around and learn about the period.
Project manager Zachary, 14, explained: "We had a day in which to develop the concept and we came up with different historical periods such as Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Medieval, Jurassic and World War Two, that players could visit and learn about. "In each area of history there were hidden artefacts to find to help the player learn more about that time."
Each of the other team members had an important role - Matthew was in charge of hardware and controls, Bailey was responsible for code and programming, Olviya developed the concept artwork and Hassan did the creative.
The prize for winning the competition was the opportunity to present their concept to final year degree students at the University of Teesside.
Matthew said: "It was great to see pioneering new technologies and some of the concepts the students are developing at the university."
Computer science teacher at The King's Academy Peter Fox said: "The new computer science curriculum focuses much more on hardware, software and programming and these particular students have shown they have talent in those areas.
"Year 8 and 9 students are the first to come through the new curriculum, which is giving them skills they can use in industry and teaches them how technology works rather than simply how to use it."
