The mini F1 team from Our Own High School in Dubai is gearing up for the UAE national round of the F1 in Schools Challenge. The team, comprising 6 students from Grade 12, will be presenting their miniature F1 car model at the Yas Marina circuit. Winners of first place in the national competition will go on to represent UAE in the world finals.
The F1 in Schools Challenge is a global initiative to inspire middle and high school students towards the engineering process. Groups of 3-6 students assume roles in the team to formulate a complete business plan for designing and launching an F1 car. The students use 3D design software to design a virtual car which is then tested using virtual reality based software for engineering soundness. Successful virtual models are made into real models using balsa wood. During the competition, teams are judged on the performance of the model as well as their presentation and marketing plans.
The UAE chapter of the F1 in Schools Challenge is based at Yas Marina Circuit and is used as a learning resource by teams participating in the competition. According to Paul Bray, the programme manager in UAE, the competition is an interesting way of helping students learn about careers in engineering and develop confidence and creativity. Moreover, it is a great way to encourage hobbyists who hope to be more involved with F1 in a professional or amateur capacity.
The 12 graders call themselves “Traxeleration” and are very enthusiastic about the final two cars they have developed. The virtual models were created using AutoCad followed by the balsa wood models. The team raised funds for its project through sponsorships.
The Yas Marina regional finals will be held on October 13 in which the teams will be judged on the performance of the car in terms of design and stability and the team’s presentation.