Students across central and western Southland had their minds put to the test last week in the annual Young Einstein Quiz Challenge.

Some 160 children from 15 schools took part in the event, which pitted children in years five to eight against each other across two age groups to answer a variety of questions from nine different categories.

It is the sixth year the event has taken place in the area, with the idea coming from Winton School principal Steve Wadsworth.

Mr Wadsworth said he started a similar event on the North Island when he was a teacher there and thought the idea would fit perfectly in Southland.

"When I came from the North Island down here I just kept the passion going really, which was an opportunity for kids from local schools to come together and compete in a quiz sort of environment... I love doing it. I probably do two or three or four quizzes a year. I do an inter-staff one for all the local schools and that's a bit of fun."

Young Einstein Quiz year 5/6 champions from Hauroko Valley School (From left) Charlie Templeton, Kate Mercep, Lily Erskine and Summer Templeton. PHOTO: Supplied

Teams are scored out of 10 for each of the nine rounds, with each team able to play a 'joker' round, which gives them double points if they believe they have done well in a specific category.

The nine categories are general knowledge, entertainment, sport, geography, New Zealand, current events, name the face, music and science and nature.

In the year 5/6 category, the Hauroko Hawks defeated the Lochiel Leeches by only half a point, with a team from Dipton School a further one point behind both teams.

In the year 7/8 category it was a win for the home team, with Winton Wild from Winton School defeating the St Thomas Wildcats by five points.

Mr Wadsworth said the competition was a chance for more academically-minded students to represent their school and compete at a wider level.

"You do have your sporty kids who are representing the school left right and centre on the sports field and on the track or whatever and this is an opportunity for the more academically orientated children to show us their skills."

He said he hoped to expand the competition across the entire Southland region, with schools from eastern and southern Southland to battle against the schools which currently compete.