Mission Statement

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, science, marketing and technology

Andrew M Denford Founder and Chairman, F1 In Schools

Thursday 10 July 2008

F1 IN SCHOOLS FLIES THE FLAG FOR BRITAIN

The 2008 F1 in Schools World Champions, Team Pulse from Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth, will be rubbing shoulders with royalty and VIPs from the business world at a UK Trade and Industry event to be held at St. James’s Palace, London on Thursday evening. The victorious team of four boys: John Ware, 16, Samuel Wood, 15, Andrew Lees, 16 and Thomas Simpson, 17 fought off competition from 24 teams from 15 countries at the F1 in Schools World Championships in Malaysia to lift the Bernie Ecclestone World Championship trophy and claim coveted BEng Automotive and Motor Sport Engineering scholarships at City University London.

F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged from 9-18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO2 cylinders. Working in teams of between three and six, the students prepare a business plan, develop a budget and raise sponsorship as well as designing and racing their car. The challenge inspires students 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 prestigious event which Team Pulse will be attending has a VIP guest list including Prince Andrew, Duke of York; Rt. Hon. Lord Jones of Birmingham; Sir Martin Sorrell, Sir Jackie Stewart and Damon Hill. The reception will promote two iconic British industries – motorsport and the creative industries, and showcase the synergies between the two.

The F1 in Schools Technology Challenge aptly demonstrates this, with the student teams including a graphic designer responsible for the website, presentation and marketing materials which are produced as part of the competition. Design within the engineering process is also an integral part of the competition.

John Ware, Team Manager, Pulse, says of the prestigious invitation, “We’re very honoured and proud to be representing F1 in Schools at this event. I think F1 in Schools is an excellent example of the link between design and motorsport, as so much of the competition used creativity and design. And from our experience of competing in F1 in Schools two of the team are considering architecture as a university degree, while another is heading for design engineering.”

Andrew Denford, Founder, F1 in Schools, adds, “F1 in Schools is a great way for students to be introduced to many school disciplines in an interesting way, and to open their eyes to the many opportunities that motorsport offers, not just within the sport directly but also the surrounding industries. The F1 in Schools Challenge began in the UK over six years ago and has forged close links with Formula One, particularly in the UK where it leads in this sector. The competition shows the creativity that there is within our schools, with some very advanced design work and innovative thinking in their submissions. The attention we’re receiving from Formula One is also demonstrating the value that they place on our programme and its potential to introduce new young talent into the sport.”

The Rt. Hon. Lord Jones of Birmingham has been an active supporter of the F1 in Schools programme since its inception and has championed its benefits within education. He says of the F1 in Schools Challenge, “It’s very important to motivate students through relevant, interesting projects and F1 in Schools is a highly successful example of how to engage students to consider the different career paths available to them. Its success in the UK has led to global expansion and it now operates in 29 countries; another example of how Britain leads the way in motorsport and innovation.”

The F1 in Schools challenge will be demonstrating the speed element of the programme at the St.James’s Palace event with Team Pulse racing its Championship-winning car on the specially designed 20 metre track. Powered by a CO2 canister, the car will race down the track at just over one second, a speed equivalent to around 240 mph. For further information on the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge visit www.f1inschools.co.uk

1 comment:

hani_san said...

this blog is really helpful to me and my students...
anyway...i'm lacking of ideas on what to display on the table at the booth during the presentation day...can you help by giving me some ideas, sir? we'll be having the presentation on this coming 11th august. thank you.