Young scientists pushed the limits of their ingenuity to triumph in a national technology competition for teenagers.
Youngsters from Loughborough Grammar School and Welland Park Academy, Market Harborough, are celebrating their success in Teen Tech 2013.
They beat rivals from up to 300 other schools to be named among the 11 winners in a competition aimed at uncovering the innovators of tomorrow.
Celebrity physicist Brian Cox and Top Gear host James May were among those who cast an eye over the inventions of 32 grand finalists at The Royal Society, in London.
Loughborough Grammar pupils Sean McGuire, Gareth Owen and Joe Ross-Biddles won the education prize for an app designed to make the lives of teachers and fellow pupils easier.
Describing his eureka moment, Sean, 14, from Barrow upon Soar, said: "Last year, our teachers were all given school iPads.
"I'd already been looking into developing an app when my English teacher said she wished there was an app to help teachers and students.
"A light bulb lit up in my head and I thought, 'I can do this'."
So Project EAGLE (Educational App Geared to Learning Engagement) was born.
Sean learned how to programme the app using software developed for Apple products, with Gareth developing its look and graphics and Joe responsible for content.
The app's features include lesson planning, resources, revision sheets and homework plans for use on iPhones and iPads. Gareth, 14, from Loughborough, said: "My job was to make the app look professional, fresh and something that grabs your attention.
"It's been really enjoyable and we're all very excited to have won."
Sean said: "The main thing was that it works. We didn't dream we would win but it's fantastic we have."
The app is now being adapted for use by pupils and Google, which sponsored the prize, is also looking to develop the boys' idea.
IT teacher Daljit Kaur, who accompanied the team to the grand final, said: "It's been amazing to watch how the boys have progressed their idea and turned it into reality, with teachers now using the app.
"We are all very proud of them."
Welland pupils Cameron Franklin, Henry Linsell and Lloyd Hughes won the wearable technology prize for their pressure boot – a shoe which harnesses power while you walk to charge up a mobile device, such as an iPlayer.
Lloyd, 12, from Market Harborough, said: "People like to listen to music while they run, so this will mean they never run out of power, or the inspiration to keep on running!"
Cameron, 13, also from Market Harborough, said: "We've really enjoyed ourselves because as well as winning, we learnt about careful and thorough research and the market for products like ours."
Design and IT teacher Reece Roberts said: "It's been a great experience for the boys who were thrilled not only to win but to get the chance to explain their idea to the likes of Brian Cox and James May."
Today, both teams will demonstrate their ideas to Prince Andrew, patron of the awards, at Buckingham Palace.
