THE F1 IN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE
VISION
F1 in Schools Ltd is a not-for-profit company established with committed partners to provide an exciting yet challenging educational experience through the magnetic appeal of Formula One. F1 in Schools is rapidly realising its potential of becoming the only truly global educational programme that raises awareness of Formula One among students and school children in every region, in every country, on every continent. Spanning age ranges of 9 to19 its main objective is to help change perceptions of engineering, science and technology by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology.
40 countries.... 20 million students.... 1 experience of a lifetime !
Where could F1 in Schools take you?
INTRODUCTION
- F1 in Schools is a multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams of students aged 9 to 19 deploy CAD/CAM software to collaborate, design, analyse, manufacture, test, and then race miniature gas powered balsa wood F1 cars.
- F1 in Schools is the only global multi-disciplinary STEM challenge for students aged 9 to 19.
- It is a unique global platform for the promotion of Formula One and partners to a youth market.
- Teams must raise sponsorship and manage budgets to fund research, travel and accommodation.
- The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership/teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.
- The founding constitution of F1 in Schools stipulates that it is, and shall remain, a not-for-profit organisation. Funds raised through sponsorship are invested in administering, developing and expanding the challenge. All income is deployed in accordance with guidelines laid down by Formula One Management.
THE CHALLENGE
- Working in teams of between 3 and 6, each student is assigned roles. The team prepares a business plan, develops a budget and raises sponsorship. Teams are encouraged to collaborate with Industry and forge business links.
- Using 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, the team designs a Formula One car of the future.
- Aerodynamics are analysed for drag coefficiency in a virtual reality wind tunnel using Computational Fluid Dynamics Software (CFD).
- Using 3D CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) software, the team evaluates the most efficient machining strategy to make the car.
- Aerodynamics are tested in wind and smoke tunnels.
- The Race is on, at more than 60kph. Cars race side-by-side along 20-metre straights.
Teams are judged on car speed, as well as supporting evidence of their design, verbal presentation and marketing display stand in ‘‘the pits”. Teams compete regionally, nationally and internationally for the coveted Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Champions trophy.
