27TH NOVEMBER, 2023

GUEST POST: F1 IN SCHOOLS X THE EARTH

PRIZE, EMPOWERING SUSTAINABILITY AND

​INNOVATION

Written by Erina Wan Zul, F1 in Schools alum and The Earth Prize youth board member.

Dedicated to promoting sustainability and nurturing the next generation of innovators, The Earth Prize and F1® in Schools champion a transformative wave of environmental consciousness in STEM education among students worldwide. At the recent Aramco F1 in Schools 2023 World Finals in Singapore, the powerful partnership of these two initiatives illuminated the potential for young minds to drive significant change in sustainability and engineering. 

The Earth Prize: Empowering Environmental Leadership

The Earth Prize is the first initiative of The Earth Foundation, which was founded as a Swiss nonprofit with the goal of taking the passion, enthusiasm and concern for the environment seen in today’s youth and helping to galvanise it into constructive action. The Earth Prize is a global $200,000 environmental sustainability competition for students between the ages of 13 and 19, which rewards the teams whose projects have the most potential to address environmental issues. CEO Angela McCarthy and Founder Peter McGarry spearhead this initiative, offering participants exclusive guidance and a chance to connect with esteemed global ambassadors to effect real change by designing their own environmental sustainability projects, products, organisations, or enterprises. The Earth Prize fuels a passion for practical sustainability solutions, inspiring a new generation of environmental leaders.

Over the past two years, The Earth Prize competition has drawn thousands of students from over 1,500 schools in 144 nations and territories. The third edition of The Earth Prize launched in September 2023. Registration for The Earth Prize 2024 is open for students and teachers on The Earth Prize website until 30th November 2023. Click here to learn more. 

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F1 in Schools: Where STEM and Sustainability Unite

Led by its visionary founder Andrew Denford, F1 in Schools is not just a STEM competition; it's a dynamic journey nurturing critical and creative thinking, marketing, and project management skills. This exhilarating challenge tasks students aged 9 to 19 with designing, manufacturing, and racing miniature compressed air-powered cars, encouraging them to embrace sustainability in their pursuits. F1 in Schools, in collaboration with The Earth Prize and Formula 1, instils a sustainable mindset early on, aligning with F1's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. ​

Synergies for Change: The Earth Prize and F1 in Schools’ Shared Goals and Collaborative Endeavours for a Brighter Future 

Brought together by their commitment to sustainability, The Earth Prize and F1 in Schools share common goals that focus on environmental sustainability, empowering the youth, and promoting STEM education. They achieve this by forming strategic partnerships with industry leaders and incorporating sustainable practices into their competitions. This not only creates a worldwide influence but also instils a sense of environmental responsibility in the youth, moulding them into future eco-conscious leaders. ​ 

Aramco F1 in Schools 2023 World Finals: Accelerating Sustainability 

 Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore, recently hosted the largest Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals to date. Amidst intense competition, 68 participating teams showcased their commitment to sustainable practices, exemplified by their innovative solutions to carbon-neutralise the event. A closer look at the students' innovative endeavours, coupled with expert perspectives on their contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), paints a vivid picture of the impactful role F1 in Schools plays in nurturing environmentally conscious engineers and entrepreneurs.  

Behind the Scenes: Memorable Insights from the Aramco F1 in Schools 2023 World Finals 

During the event, I had the privilege of engaging with students from various teams worldwide, discussing their sustainability-driven projects and points of view. I also had the opportunity to share my experience as an alumnus of F1 in Schools and how the competition opened the door for me to become one of eight Youth Board members of the prestigious Earth Prize Youth Board and share more about the collaboration between The Earth Prize and F1 in Schools.  

Furthermore, I got to experience an exclusive pitlane walk with the participants, which provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the F1 teams’ garages, allowing us to learn about their shared commitment to a carbon-neutral future. Lastly, at the World Finals closing gala, I got to rub shoulders with the esteemed presence of industry figures like Pete Samara, Director of Innovation and Technology at F1, who presented the Sustainability Award powered by F1, giving me the opportunity to learn about how F1 in Schools supports the transformative potential of initiatives shaping a sustainable future for motorsport and beyond. 

Driving Toward a Sustainable Future: The Earth Prize, F1® in Schools, and F1’s Shared Vision

Aligned with F1’s ambitious sustainability agenda, F1 in Schools serves as a catalyst for empowering the next generation of sustainability leaders. By nurturing talents and fostering a sustainable mindset among young innovators, these initiatives pave the way for a future where sustainability takes centre stage in every aspect of the racing industry. 

As The Earth Prize and F1 in Schools continue to fuel the passion for sustainability and STEM education, their collaborative efforts serve as beacons of hope, lighting the path for a future where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, shaping a world that is not just eco-conscious but driven by the transformative power of young minds.