THE physics department at Heckmondwike Grammar School is celebrating the success of students in national competitions in the past month.

The Eurekas is an annual physics contest for students aged 11 to 16 in the UK and Ireland.

This year the challenge was to create a project to answer the question "can physics help us solve mysteries?"

The school's two Eurekas winners concentrated on methods to solve the mysteries of astrophysics and cosmology.

Year 10 pupil Finn McDougall created an orbit simulation programme which rivals much of the software used by the physics department in lessons, and this won him the 15-year-old age category prize.

Eeshan Upasani looked at the physical aspects of astronomy and designed a DIY telescope, which won him the 14-year-old age category.

Both students won a cash prize of £1,000, as well as £250 each for the school.

Meanwhile, several year seven students entered the nationwide Wonderverse Energytown Competition.

Students were asked to create a plan to generate power for future cities.

Zoha Khan's plan - using hydrogen fuel, nuclear power and a flywheel storage system - earned her a tablet computer and a £1,000 sustainability grant for the school.