More than 100 whizzkids from across the Highlands and Islands took part in a technology ideas challenge in Inverness – without having to leave their home areas.

They used video conferencing links based in 11 colleges, learning centres and schools, demonstrating technology in action, to pitch their entries to a panel of judges at higher education network and VC specialist UHI Millennium Institute’s executive office.

ICT Youth Challenge co-ordinator John Mackenzie said: “The VC presentations from Thurso, Alness, Plockton, Ullapool, Lochaber, Tobermory, Mallaig, Elgin, Campbeltown, Dunoon and Inverness added to the experience and the significance of the event. It was the first time that many of the young people had used it and they were very excited.”

The VC links were arranged by challenge sponsor UHI which uses the technology to bring students and others together for classes and events throughout the partnership of colleges and research centres in the Highlands and Islands.

Sixteen teams were selected to go through to the next stage of the fifth annual ICT Youth Challenge which aims to encourage young people to pursue careers and become entrepreneurs in the information, communications and technology industry.

The last 16 were selected from 30 groups already whittled down from 144 entries. They are: Mini Tek, Wick; The Invisible Bus Conductors and Digital Fish from Farr in Sutherland; Bonnie Boi’s and the Edge from Fortrose; Goths in Denial and Cookies and Milk, Tain; Total Accuracy and Team Siren, Plockton; Na Nigheanan Gaidhealach, Ullapool; Inspired Ideas, Lochaber; Funky Faces, Mallaig; KeITh from Keith; Sophisticated Highlanders, Dunoon; You Won’t Forget Us from Charleston in Inverness, and ICT-Unit from Nairn.

Futuristic ideas included tracking systems for shopping bargains; a photo frame that doubles as a webcam; an electronic distress signal system; a mobile phone sports action replay service, and a computer-based clothes selection programme for all occasions!

Sponsors of the competition are BT, Microsoft, HIE and UHI. The judges were Joanne Blanusa, senior development manager at Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Robin Mannings, research foresight manager with BT; John Edwards, partner manager Scotland at Microsoft; Cindy Jeffers, research associate with Forres-based Distance Lab, and UHI communications manager Catherine Shearer.

The next stage is a face-to-face event in March at the Spa Pavilion, Strathpeffer, when the 16 teams will be expected to expand on their ideas and come up with technical specifications.

Five of the best will be chosen for a week-long “Hot House” at the Fairburn Activity Centre in Maryburgh, Ross-shire, where they will face specialists from a consortium of organisations including BT, Microsoft, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, E Design, PC Warehouse and ICASS (Innovators Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland).

All the finalists will receive substantial technology prizes and three teams will get trips of a lifetime thanks to the sponsors. HIE will send one to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston; BT will host another at its research and development centre in Suffolk, whilst the third will jet off to Microsoft’s development headquarters in Seattle.

The challenge is open to teams of three to five in the 11-to-20 age range from schools, community and youth groups. Last year’s winners, the Buckie Challengers, produced a testing device for diabetes, while the FHS Girls from Farr came up with a sensor to show when creel pots were full.

John Mackenzie, development manager for business transformation at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “The idea is to get young people thinking about careers, innovation and entrepreneurship in one of our fastest moving and most important industries.

“Everybody uses ICT, but not so many get involved in careers. There is always a need for trained and talented staff, especially in the Highlands and Islands, as well as the entrepreneurs who come up with new creations.

“Our challenge is designed for team work and to be fun. Schools say they notice a real change in their students – the competition brings them out of their shells and helps them with exams.”

The organisers are now planning to develop ways to track the career paths of the challenge entrants using ICT initiatives.