Swap the TV for a test tube and the Playstation for a petri dish – it’s time for Kent’s young scientists and engineers to get investigating and inventing.

Smart schoolchildren are invited to enter this year’s Bright Spark Awards, the regional competition for young scientists – and there’s a cash prize on offer for the winners.

Entrants can submit science or technology projects undertaken at school or science club and the three categories - invention, investigation and innovation - encompass almost anything under the sun.

Previous entries have ranged from an investigation into the causes of multiple sclerosis, using genetically modified yeast, to a cup holder for wheelchair users and a test of whether or not being out in nature lowers people’s stress levels.

The best contenders will be visited in school to be filmed talking about their project and later battle it out at a Dragons’ Den-style final, where they will present their work and answer questions from the judges. There will be several prize winners and the overall champions will share £500 between them.

The KM Charity Team, which runs the awards, and supporters including Pfizer, Megger and Global Associates attended a spring relaunch for the event at the Discovery Park science and business park in Sandwich, which is hosting the awards for the fourth year running.

Kimberley Anderson, Discovery Park’s relations manager, said: “One of the reasons we love this event is because education is pivotal to Discovery Park.

“What we have found at this event is that we are looking at the future scientists and future engineers – and we hope they come and work here!”

Robert Crook, senior director at Pfizer, which has a site in Sandwich, added: “We’re looking forward to seeing some exciting ideas which start to push the boundaries of what we can do in science – and getting children excited about potential careers.

“It’s been fantastic the last couple of years; I’m hoping to see some equally good ideas this year.”

The competition is open to both primary and secondary pupils. Children are encouraged to work in teams, but can enter alone.

Teams can submit as many entries as they like; each one will be judged separately. Entries must be in by noon on Friday, June 1 and the competition final will take place in July.

The judging panel will include representatives from Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Benenden Hospital Trust, BAE Systems, and Astro Communications.

For more information or to enter, visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/brightspark or contact event organiser Maxine Tarquini at mtarquini@thekmgroup.co.uk