TEENAGERS from Grays saw off competition from eleven other schools to scoop first prize in science challenge.

Pupils from Grays Convent High School travelled to the University of Greenwich to take part in the Salters’ Institute Festival of Chemistry.

It saw them get a taste of what it's like to be a forensic crime scene investigator.

Four keen Year 8 pupils; Tierney Wood, Boglarka Pasztor, Molly Cornwell and Rebecca Ngoka were selected out of their year group to take part in the yearly competition.

After splitting into pairs and they then used various chemicals to investigate a forensic crime scene to identify the criminal.

Next came the University Challenge, this saw the girls take on Neutralisation Reaction, a chemical reaction in which a strong acid and strong base react with each other to form water and salt.

They had the added pressure of ensuring the reaction took place on the exact seventh chime of the Big Ben clock.

Amy Goddard, Science Technician at Grays Convent paid tribute to the girls, who have won science equipment for the school.

He said: “All in all, it was a very fun day, and a great opportunity to combine our chemistry knowledge with real life practical’s and situations.

"The day was a very fun experience”.