F1 in Schools

F1 in Schools

F1 in Schools Logo
Date Founded: 1999
Founder: Andrew Denford
Age Range: 11-19
F1 in Schools Competition Track

F1 in Schools is an international STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) competition for school children (aged 11–16), in which groups of 3–6 students have to design and manufacture a miniature "car" out of the official F1 Model Block using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and are attached to a track by a nylon wire. They are timed from the moment they are launched to when they pass the finish line by a computer.[1]

The cars have to follow specific guidelines (e.g. the wheels of the car must be in contact with the track at all times). The cars are raced on a 20m long track with two lanes, to allow two cars to be raced simultaneously.[2] Software called F1 Virtual Wind Tunnel was designed specifically for the challenge. F1 Virtual Wind Tunnel or F1 VWT uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate air resistance on the "cars" made in the CAD.[3]

The competition is currently operational in over 40 different countries.[4] The competition was first introduced in the UK in 1999.[5] The competition's aim was and still is, to introduce younger people to engineering in a more fun environment.[6] The competition is held annually, with Regional and National Finals. The overall winners of the National Finals are invited to compete at the World Finals, which are held at a different location each year, usually held in conjunction with a Formula One Grand Prix. In the UK competition; there are 3 classes of entry. Formula One Class aimed at 11-to-19 year olds, Rookie Class aimed at 11-to-15 year olds from new schools and The Jaguar Primary School Challenge aimed at 5-to-11 year olds.

The current F1 in Schools World Champions (as of 2016) are Infinite Racing,team from Greece. Union Racing International were the first team to beat the one second barrier and set a new World Record at the World Finals 2015 in Singapore of 0.977 seconds.[7] However, one year later Infinitude from Australia broke the world record with a time of 0.916. The other teams to have broken the 1 second barrier were Infinite Racing from Greece, Fast Payce from Australia and Aeolus Racing from Greece. The unofficial world record (as it was not set at the World Finals) belongs to White Squall Racing from Greece with a time of 0.864 during the 2016 Greek National Finals.

Aspects of the competition

Specification judging Specification judging is a detailed inspection process where the race car is assessed for compliance with the F1 in Schools Technical Regulations. Scrutineering is conducted within the confines of parc fermé where judges use a series of specially manufactured gauges and accurate measuring tools to check the car's compliance.

All of the rules and regulations season can be found at F1 in Schools website.[8]

Engineering judging The scheduled engineering judging interview session focuses on the application of CAD CAM analysis, CAD data organisation, orthographic drawing, 3D render and use of CNC machining. This is an informal interview where judges ask the team to demonstrate their CAD / CAM work and query teams on what they have done.

Portfolio & Pit Display Judging

Each team of students is required to produce an enterprise portfolio, engineering portfolio as well as a pit display. The portfolios are A3 size and should contain information about the team, their car design and manufacturing process, marketing techniques, project management, teamwork and team identity. Teams are given an area to set up a pit display which is judged alongside their design portfolio by a panel of judges.

Verbal presentation judging In advance of the competition, teams prepare a timed verbal presentation to present to a panel of judges, outlining their project. Teams usually use a PowerPoint presentation as a visual aid when presenting to the judges. The length of the verbal presentation varies depending on the level of the competition. At World Finals Level teams are required to prepare a 10-minute presentation.

Racing

Teams race their cars against each other on the official 20 metre F1 in Schools competition track. Points are awarded for reaction time racing as well as manual launch racing.

Participating countries

F1 in Schools is an internationally recognised competition with schools participating from the following countries:

Australia Austria Bahrain Brunei Canada
China Cyprus Czech Republic England France
Germany Greece Hong Kong India Ireland
Jordan Korea Kuwait Malaysia Nigeria
Northern Ireland Oman Peru Portugal Qatar
Saudi Arabia Scotland Singapore South Africa Spain
Thailand United States of America United Arab Emirates Vietnam Wales

F1 in Schools World Final results

The winners and runners-up from each region are invited to compete at the National Final. The National Champions are invited to compete and represent their country at the World Finals and the 2nd and 3rd placed teams are invited to create an international collaboration team and compete at the World Finals. The winner receives the crystal Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Trophy. The World Final podium places and Best Engineered Car are outlined below. The full results of each season can be found on the F1 in Schools website.[9]

Host City Winner Second Third Best Engineered Car Knockout Winners Knockout Finalists
2016
United States Austin		 Greece Infinite Racing
Mandoulides School		 Australia Infinitude
Brighton Secondary School (SA) & St Bede's College (VIC)		 Germany Endeavour
Gymnasium Unterrieden (BW), Karl-Friedrich-Gymnasium (BW) & Kurfürst-Friedrich-Gymnasium (BW) 		United Arab Emirates Knight Hawk
The Indian High School, Dubai		 Greece Infinite Racing
Mandoulides School		 Greece Aeolus Racing
Moraitis School & Arsakeio
2015
Singapore Singapore		 Germany/United States Union Racing International
Alexander-von-Humboldt Gymnasium (MV) & Lexington High School (MA)		 Portugal Mustangs Republic of Ireland Team AIB Racing Canada Laminar Racing
2014
United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi		 England Colossus F1
Robert May's School		 Australia Gamma Raycing
Magdalene Catholic High School (NSW)		 Germany Boreas Racing
Gymnasium An der Stenner
2013
United States Austin		 Australia A1 Racing
Phoenix P-12 Community College (VIC) & Pine Rivers State High School (QLD)		 United States Allegiance Racing
Lessing-Gymnasium (BW)		 Germany Unlimited Acceleration
Southeast High School (FL)		 Republic of Ireland Bardahl Racing
St David's Holy Faith Secondary School
2012
United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi		 Australia Cold Fusion
Brighton Secondary School (SA)		 United Kingdom Team Ignite England Rush Australia Cold Fusion
Brighton Secondary School (SA)
2011
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur		 Australia PentaGliders
Brooks High School (TAS)		 Germany BETAGREEN
Gymnasium Grootmoor		 United States Unitus Racing
Southeast High School (FL) & James Madison Middle School (VA)		 Australia PentaGliders
Brooks High School(TAS)
2010
Singapore Singapore		 James Madison Middle School (VA) Australia/United Arab Emirates Zer0.9
Pine Rivers State High School & The Indian High School, Dubai		 Germany Aixtreme Racing
Einhard-Gymnasium Aachen		 Australia Basilisk Performance
Sebastopol College (VIC)
2009
United Kingdom London[10]		 Republic of Ireland The Koni Kats
St. David’s Secondary School		 Australia Redline Racing
Trinity Christian School (ACT)		 Australia/Canada AC Racing
Noosa District State High School (QLD) & Miles MacDonell (MB)		 Australia Redline Racing
Trinity Christian School (ACT)
2008
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur[11]		 England Pulse
Devonport High School for Boys		 Australia Goshawk
Trinity Christian School (ACT)		 Australia Impulse F1
Barker College (NSW)		 Australia Impulse F1
Barker College (NSW)
2007
Australia Melbourne[12]		 Northern Ireland FUGA
Coleraine Academical Institution		 Scotland Lighting
Blairgowrie High School		 Malaysia Mercurial Ace
SMK Convent Bukit Nanas		 Australia
Trinity College (WA)
2006
United Kingdom Birmingham[13]		 Australia Stingers
Trinity Grammar School (VIC)		 South Africa Flash
St Alban's College		 United States Turbo
Bloomsburg High School (PA)		 Australia Stingers
Trinity Grammar School (VIC)
2004
United Kingdom Coventry[14]		 United States Turbo
Bloomsburg High School (PA)		 South Africa Flash
St Alban's College		 Australia Thunder Down Under
Cheltenham Girls High School (NSW) & Noosa District State High (NSW)		 Australia Thunder Down Under
Cheltenham Girls High (NSW) & Noosa District State High School (NSW)

CARTER scoring in Australia

CARTER (CAR Time Efficiency Ratio) is an annually variable constant in the F1 in Schools time trial scoring formula in Australia. The formula is as follows:

Team Score = (55pts / (CARTER – Fastest Time)) x (CARTER – Team Time)

This formula is used to calculate the points awarded in the time trial races of any state or national final of the Australian F1 In Schools Technology Challenge. The current CARTER is calculated based on the results from the previous year events.[15]

The formula results are used to calculate the team with the fastest time trial time and they are awarded the maximum mark of 55 points. The slowest time is awarded 0 points using this formula. CARTER influences the 'spread' of marks between fastest and slowest. It ensures that a team achieving a very competitive race time, say only a few thousands of a second behind the fastest, scores points that reflect the performance of the car. Teams are rewarded for the speed of their car compared to the fastest time set as opposed to scoring points based on their rank.

Example The following table is an example of how points would distributed against a sample set of time trial results:[16]

CARTER = 1.454 seconds

Race Time Team Score
1.380 20
1.254 32
1.162 46
1.228 36
1.153 47
1.142 49
1.105 55
1.124 52
1.111 54
1.137 50
1.113 54

In practice this formula is used in conjunction with an additional logic expression that resolves the minimum possible score awarded as 20 points.

Name The term "CARTER" is also called "CARTE ratio". Often it is referred to as "CARTER ratio" which is similar to terms like "ATM machine" or "PIN number". These types of redundant pronunciations are referred to as RAS syndrome.

Carter is also the surname the CFO of Re-Engineering Australia Forum (REA), a not-for-profit company. REA runs the F1inSchools Technology Challenge in Australia and New Zealand, and plays a strategic role in the coordination of the F1 in Schools program globally.

F1 in Schools in UK media

F1 in Schools has featured in UK print media and on television.[17]

2012 F1 in Schools feature on Sky Sports F1.[18]

2005 F1 in Schools appeared in Newsround (13 January). The programme featured Mathew Hughes, from Welsh team "Atomic Jo's", explaining the F1 in Schools scheme.[19] The interview was recorded at the UK National final in London 2005.

2004 F1 in Schools appeared on the BBC Politics Show (10 October), BBC Central News (3 October) and BBC Northern Ireland TV (7 January). An article on F1 in Schools was in the Education Guardian (6 January).

2003 F1 in Schools appeared on HTV News (11 December), BBC News Wales (11 December) and BBC 1 Newsround (10 January).

2002 F1 in Schools was reported by The Sun (27 November), RPM Motorsports (November) and appeared on Techno Games on BBC1 in March.

2001 F1 in Schools was reported by The Mirror (22 February) and appeared on Blue Peter in June.

Partners

The challenge has many supporters and sponsors which include the following:

References

Awards
Preceded by
2008 Singapore Grand Prix		 Autosport
Pioneering and Innovation Award
2009 		Succeeded by
McLaren (F-duct)
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