Robots, artificial intelligence and the good old-fashioned light bulb were some of the inventions explored by students of Northlands Primary School as part of an annual project.

The school was buzzing with excitement as the children opened their Inventors’ Showcase to visitors in celebration of National Inventors’ Day while demonstrating and describing their displays.

Now in its fourth year, the non-mandatory, school-wide project is increasingly attracting the participation of students, and this year was the biggest yet with 110 of the school’s 145 pupils taking part.

Meredith Lombardo, the reading teacher and information, communication and technology leader at Northlands, said: “The kids love it and every year it gets better and better.

“Some have created their own inventions and others have researched another invention — something that helps them in their own life.

“It’s a Stem project that allows the students to use their creativity and problem-solving skills.

“It’s about using critical thinking and artistic ability, and the students were encouraged to do part of the project in their own handwriting.

“We asked them to create some sort of model or 3D item and to share information about their invention.”

Students will be recognised for their work at a special prize-giving ceremony where they will have the opportunity to win technology-related prizes such as headphones and smart watches.

Yin’Nori Simmons-Fubler, a P5 student, showed off his display about how artificial intelligence may be used to identify certain conditions that show up on an X-ray and “increase predictive performance”.

He said: “One day, AI may be able to detect stuff that is harder for humans to detect like lung cancer and pneumonia.”

Sinai Signor, also in P5, made a display about the electric toothbrush.

“It makes it easier to clean, it makes brushing fun and helps keep your teeth healthy,” he said.

Vespa Flood, who is in P3, also opted for an existing invention — traffic lights.

She said: “Traffic lights help you to cross the street, help cars not get into crashes and keep everyone safe.”

Other displays included information about robots that can help doctors carry out surgeries and clean your house, smart cars that can drive and park themselves, and home-made water filters that use natural materials to make dirty water clean.

Holly Richardson, the principal, who started working at the school in September, told The Royal Gazette: “When I heard about this idea of honouring Inventors’ Day, it was exciting to think about how the students could look into the past, see what they could build upon and come up with their own ideas as well.

“I was really overjoyed when I came in here and saw the work that they have put into their projects and the thinking that has gone into it, it was really impressive.

“The children are really excited to share their projects, there is a buzz about the school today.”