Students at an Oxford school have reached the finals of an international competition in the United States of America.

The team from Oxford High School are finalists in the Conrad Challenge, an innovation competition hosted in Houston, Texas.

The young team’s entry, Orbnet, is designed to slow down and collect tiny pieces of orbital debris, reducing the risk of damage to satellites in space.

Oxford Mail:

Marina Gardiner Legge, Head of Oxford High School GDST said: "

“I’m thrilled that Tilly, Alice and Katharina are the only team in Europe to be invited to the final in Houston, Texas. 

"We had five strong teams enter the Conrad Challenge this year, all of whom put in a lot of work, effort and research and we are proud of them and our incredible staff who have supported them along the way.

"Oxford High School GDST has a proud and illustrious history of creating opportunities for women in STEM and we are so proud that that tradition continues. 

"This team perfectly demonstrate the way in which our high-achieving girls demonstrate they have the drive and determination to change the world for the better.”

The girls will compete against teams from the USA, Korea, Thailand, China, Japan and Panama in April.  

Team member, Tilly said: “We’ve learnt a lot about teamwork, operations and communications and I definitely know more about aerospace and aviation than I did before.”