WINCHESTER schoolgirls have been among those learning about technology as part of a development laboratory's event.

Year 8 girls from 16 Hampshire schools attended Hack the Planet Think.IT event at IBM in Hursley, which aimed to get girls excited about technology.

On June 1-2 Kings' School pupils attended, as did a group from Thornden School in Chandler's Ford.

The day wants to see more girls continue studies in science, technology, maths, engineering and IT by offering the chance to see what working for an organisation like IBM entails.

The girls were divided into mixed groups and had to invent a new product that solved a problem, work on its design, marketing and eventually present it.

They used coding programmes, learned about software development and took part in a murder mystery activity to strengthen relationships with their team mates.

The event culminated with each team pitching their product at the Think.IT Expo, where they sold their ideas to IBM members.

The event saw 160 girls take part for two days at a time from June 1-4.

Other schools involved were: Chichester High School for Girls, Woodlands Community College, The Mountbatten School, Hampshire Collegiate School, Harrow Way Community School, Ringwood School, Highcliffe School, Priory School, Hounsdown School, New Forest Academy, Godolphin School and Portsmouth High School.