Formula 1

Formula 1 in Schools Technology Challenge UK won by Hampshire school

3 Mins read

Students from Robert May’s School in Odiham, Hampshire will now contest the F1 in Schools World Finals 2016 in Austin, Texas, later this year after winning the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge UK last week.

The competition is linked to a Formula 1 educational initiative which runs in 42 countries across the globe, with the aim of changing the current outlook on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in schools, by creating a fun and exciting atmosphere to stimulate learning. The initiative’s game plan is to help young people develop their own but educated views about engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology, with the hope of aiding them to forge a career in those disciplines, should they choose that path.

For their part in the challenge the students were asked to create their own Formula One team commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest miniature Formula One Car of the Future. A 21cm long scale model built from a modelling block and powered by a compressed air cylinder.

Each team, of between three and six students, was asked to create a ‘pit’ display and showcase their work in developing their race car. At the National Finals the cars were raced on a 20 metre track, with the cars aiming to cover the distance in around one second. The teams were also asked to bring along their newly created pit display, their cars and portfolio, and would have to participate in a verbal presentation for the judges.

The finals were held at the Silverstone race circuit last weekend, and competition was of an extremely high standard. It was the strong performance from the Enigma UK squad however, with team members Katelyn Chelberg, Team Manager, 15, Ella Stevenson, Enterprise Manager, 15; Nathan Bryce, Design Engineer, 15; Sarah Matthews, Scrutineering Engineer, 15 and Cora Morrow, Testing Engineer, 16, that saw them crowned victorious after impressing across all categories. The team also triumphed in the Team Sponsorship and Marketing Award and were nominated in the Innovative Thinking Award category too, an outstanding achievement for the young entrants.

The team will now prepare to do battle in the World finals, and Team Manager Katelyn advised they cannot wait to get there “We’re very excited about going to Texas, but it hasn’t really sunk in yet. It will all be worth it, having put so much effort into it. Having the chance to apply for the Williams Engineering Academy is a great opportunity as well, this competition certainly seems to open doors to the F1 industry.”

“We worked really hard and really wanted this. We’ve put in so much work and meeting up for at least two hours every day for the last five months, so it’s really paid off.

“We’ve put in a lot of time on developing our car, but we know there is still room for improvement. We’ve done a huge amount of testing with our car, LERS, force balancing testing, CFD and also collaborations with other companies.

“We’ve learned so much through this competition, particularly how to communicate with team mates, how to work with other companies and understand how they work, so many life skills that you learn.”

As well as receiving the top prize of a trip to Texas for the World Finals, the students will also get to visit the 2016 Formula 1 British Grand Prix courtesy of Silverstone, with two members of the team also in with a chance of winning a £5000 per year bursary to complete a Mechanical Engineering degree course at UCL Engineering.

Also representing England at the World Finals will be second placed team, Sixth Degree, from The King’s School, whilst the third placed entry, Turbocharged from Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, will have the opportunity to form an international collaboration team to compete at the USA event.

There will also be further UK representation in the United States from Northern Ireland Champions, Endeavour Racing from Carrickfergus Grammar School, along with the Scotland Champions, Kinetikos Racing from Inver almond Community High School and Wales Champions, Tachyon, from Denbigh High School.

The Full results of the completion are below:

F1 CLASS
UK NATIONAL CHAMPIONS Enigma UK Robert May’s School, Odiham
2nd Place Sixth Degree The King’s School, Chester
3rd Place Turbocharged Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, Dartford
Women in Motorsport Storm Racing Sandbach High School & Sixth Form, Sandbach
Judges Discretionary Award Velox Connah’s Quay High School, Connah’s Quay
Best Research & Development Impulse Colyton Grammar School, Colyton
Best Engineered Car Sixth Degree The King’s School, Chester
Innovative Thinking Academy Racing WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Coventry
Team Sponsorship and Marketing Enigma UK Robert May’s School, Odiham
Team Identity Technically Viral St Bedes Catholic Comprehensive, Peterlee
Formula 1 Class Fastest Car Academy Racing WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Coventry
Knockout Racing Winners Academy Racing WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Coventry
ROOKIE CLASS
UK Champions Team United Kenton School, Newcastle upon Tyne
2nd Place INVICTUS Valley Gardens Middle School, Whitley Bay
3rd Place Furious Formula St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt
Judges Discretionary Award Rapid Beckfoot Upper Heaton, Bradford
Best Research & Development Falcon Force Ysgol Brynrefail, Llanrug
Best Engineered Car Falcon Force Ysgol Brynrefail, Llanrug
Innovative Thinking INVICTUS Valley Gardens Middle School, Whitley Bay
Team Sponsorship and Marketing Furious Formula St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt
Team Identity Slip Stream Racing Shirelands Collegiate Academy, Birmingham
Rookie Class Fastest Car Team United Kenton School, Newcastle upon Tyne
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