The students, from year seven to year 10, overcame teams from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore to win the Australasian Tournament of Minds competition's applied technology category in Melbourne at the weekend. 

In three hours, the students came up with a piece of technology that could be used to make critical decisions needed to help preserve the planet. 

Students were required to convey their idea to a panel of judges through a 15-minute role play. 

Girton Grammar School headmaster Matthew Maruff said the students had displayed terrific decision-making skills and creativity and had worked well as a team.

"The team had to demonstrate how their invention would impact people for better or for worse," Mr Maruff said. 

Mr Maruff said as well as coming up with a resolution to the problem, students were required to put together a performance which took no longer than 10 minutes and was confined to a three-metre square.

"It’s really about living on your wits, which is something young people are doing less of as our lives become more predictable and information so readily available," he said. 

"Tournament of Minds encourages quick thinking and collaboration. It’s fantastic to see students having the courage to put themselves on the spot and work their way through a difficult problem.

"The rapid interchange of ideas makes for excellent and entertaining viewing."

The students were also required to answer a spontaneous question. 

Team member Michaela Hulme said she was proud of her peers and said it was a great achievement.

"We knew we had a good chance but we couldn't believe we won," she said.  

"It was great fun."

The team had to win there way through a regional and state final to make it to the Australasian Pacific final.