2 minute read
Formula 1 in Schools
BY ANDY MURRAY,
TEACHER / FORMULA 1 PROGRAM COORDINATOR
The Formula 1 in Schools program is the world’s largest technology challenge, involving over 17,000 schools from 44 nations. It provides students with a unique experience and exposes them to a variety of skills in areas such as STEAM, leadership, team building, project management, business planning, graphic design, public speaking, marketing, collaboration, writing and presentation. Students work in teams to design, construct and race miniature Formula 1 cars using computer-aided design software and automated manufacturing techniques. This work is supported through industry and university mentoring along the way. Students are also required to successfully market their team through the design and creation of a range of promotional materials and a presentation on their overall design process. Teams progressing to State Final level collaborate with industry to seek team sponsorship and continued mentoring support.
For Diahna, Year 8, the motivation to join was to explore digital design and the manufacturing processes, and she found it to be a great experience.
This program provides students with greater opportunities to develop personal skills and apply their classroom learning in a new and exciting manner. They collaborate not only with each other, but also interact with universities and supporting industry representatives, allowing them to explore future study and career pathways. Sophie, Year 8, describes the Formula 1 program as “a wonderful yet challenging experience that allows me to form friendships and strengthen bonds with my peers”.
Iris, Year 8, shared “the main challenge for me in Formula 1 was getting started on the design process, however it’s still a very fun and worthwhile program”! Korowa’s teams will continue to refine their designs and will be pursuing industry sponsorship to support the next step in their journey as they prepare for the Victorian State Final in October.
With Australian teams regularly competing at the World Championships each year, we look forward to seeing Korowa’s students pushing towards that stage in the future.
