F1 In Schools

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F1 is short for Formula One. See Formula One.
F1 in Schools is a competition involving CO2 Dragsters. For more specific information on the balsa "cars" made in this competition see CO2 Dragster.
F1 In Schools
The F1 in Schools Logo
Date Founded: 1999
Founder: Andrew Denford
Age Range: 11-18

F1 in Schools is an international competition for school children (aged 11–18), in which groups of 3 - 6 children have to design and manufacture a miniature "car" out of balsa wood using CAD/CAM design tools. The cars are powered by CO2 cartridges and are attached to a track by a thin 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 the track at all times). The cars are raced on an 80-foot long track (roughly 25m) 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 hosted in 26 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 winners of the national finals compete in an international final. There are two categories - D-type (or dragster type) and R-type. There also subcategories for age - D-type 11-14 and D-type 14-16 or R-type 14-16 and R-type 16-18. The main difference between the two is the R-type category allows the use of spoilers and parts added on to the main body whereas the D-type does not.[7]

The current F1 in Schools World Champions are Pulse from Devonport High School for Boys, Plymouth.[8] Team Fuga, 2007 World Champions hold the world record time of 1.020 seconds.[9]

Contents

[edit] Aspects of the Competition

To launch the cars a device is used which pierces a hole in the CO2 canister when it receives certain input from a computer. This allows a fair race and accurate time recordings.
To launch the cars a device is used which pierces a hole in the CO2 canister when it receives certain input from a computer. This allows a fair race and accurate time recordings.
The reaction time tests use a series of lights to indicate when the car can be launched. The first three orange lights are displayed in sequence but at random time intervals. If the "car" is launched while the orange lights are displayed the round is recorded as a false start (see right animation). Once the green light is displayed the "car" must be launched as quickly as possible (see left animation).
The reaction time tests use a series of lights to indicate when the car can be launched. The first three orange lights are displayed in sequence but at random time intervals. If the "car" is launched while the orange lights are displayed the round is recorded as a false start (see right animation). Once the green light is displayed the "car" must be launched as quickly as possible (see left animation).

[edit] Rules and Regulations

Most of the rules and regulations concern the balsa wood "cars", and the dimensions and weight they have to be. There are rules for weight, length, height from the track to the cylinder and wheel dimensions. There is also a rule on team size - at least 3 members, no more than 6.

It is recommended but not compulsory to have a backup car when racing. Before the competition begins each car is measured carefully. If the car breaks any of the rules or regulations then the team is disqualified from the competition.[10]

All of the rules and regulations for the 2007–2008 season can be found at this link.

[edit] Racing and Judging

There are three main parts to the finals of F1 in Schools: racing, judging and a presentation given by the teams. Each team is given different times for each different event.

In the racing event each team uses their cars to directly race against another team. However, instead of being in the style of a tournament, each team gets three attempts and the best time is recorded (to a thousandth of a second). The current world record time is held by a student team from Malaysia with a car which has recorded a time of 1.083 seconds."[11]). The team with the quickest time in their category wins the event and gets the most points. There is also a time trial event, but instead of the car being launched automatically, it is launched by a member of the team. There are three attempts at this and like the racing the best time is recorded.[12] The time recorded is from when the timer starts to when the car crosses the finish line. The timer is started at random, but a series of warning lights prepare the team member before a light indicated that the timer has started. If the team member sets of the car too early then that go is counted as a false start and the car doesn't launch.

In the judging event judges come the teams allocated space and view a portfolio which has to be prepared by the team as part of the challenge. Teams are marked on designing, marketing and the manufacturing of the car.[13]

The team also has to give a presentation to judges, and they are marked on this too. Each team is given 5 minutes in a regional final and 10 minutes in a national final.[14]

The points are added up and the teams are ranked. The winners either go on to the next finals or in the case of the international finals, become the F1 in Schools champions. The are also additional awards and prizes for runners up, and these are given at the end of the competition along with the ranking: "Tanza Knights, a team from Stellenbosch High School, South Africa took the Best Sponsorship and marketing award, with Best Newcomer being presented to C2 from Woburn C.I. School in Canada and the Collaborative Team trophy was awarded to Team Hybrid, a joint initiative from Lochgelly High School, Scotland and East Cobb Middle School, USA."[15]

[edit] Countries Currently Involved

F1 in schools is an internationally recognised competition.

Australia Brunei Canada Hong Kong Korea
Portugal Scotland Singapore South Africa Thailand
United States of America United Arab Emirates England Malaysia South Africa
Ireland Germany Kuwait Austria Northern Ireland
Saudi Arabia Wales Dubai Qatar France
Spain

[edit] F1 In Schools In the Media

F1 In Schools has featured in UK print media and on television.[16]

[edit] 2001

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

A car built with CAD software for F1 In Schools by a team from Archbishop Temple School.
A car built with CAD software for F1 In Schools by a team from Archbishop Temple School.

[edit] 2002

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

[edit] 2003

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

[edit] 2004

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

[edit] 2005

F1 in Schools appeared in Newsround (13th January). The programme featured Mathew Hughes, from Welsh team "Atomic Jo's", explaining the F1 in Schools scheme.[17] The interview was recorded at the UK National final in London 2005.

[edit] Partners

Many companies, educational and professional organisations have sponsored and supported the challenge.

Arkom Limited[18] Autosport International[19] Avon Vale Training BAE SYSTEMS
BECTa[20] CBI City University London[21] Concentration Heat And Momentum Limited[22]
Corus[23] Dassault Systèmes DATA Denford Limited[24]
EEF[25] EMAP education ETB FG Wilson
Headstart IMechE[26] Jaguar Cars[27] Mr C's CO2 Racing Resources[28]
Natec O2 Pitsco[29] SEMTA
SETNET Specialist Schools and Academies Trust[30] TEP[31] The Industrial Trust
The Manufacturing Technologies Association[32] The Royal Academy of Engineering[33] UGS[34] YINI
Make Your Mark[35] Silverstone[36]

[edit] Winners

In the regional finals the winners are divided into age categories 11-14, 14-16 and 16-18 in which there are three places each. The winners of each category progress to the next stage of the competition; the national finals. The winner of the national finals compete in an international final. The international final has two runner-up places and the winning team become the "F1 in Schools world champions" Only the final stage of the competition are listed below, however, the full results of each season can be found on the F1 in Schools website.

[edit] 2001–2002

"The F1 in Schools Track"

National finals - London, England[37]

(UK National finals only)

[edit] 2002–2003:

National finals - London, England [38]

(UK National finals only)

  • 1st Place - Ramsey Abbey High School (16-18 Team).
  • 2nd Place - St Joseph's College (16-18 Team).
  • 3rd Place - Archbishop Temple School (14-16 Team).

[edit] 2003–2004:

International finals - Coventry, England [39]

(This was the first F1 in Schools competition to have an international final.)[40]

  • 1st Place - Team Turbo, Bloomsburg Highschool, USA.
  • 2nd Place - Team Flash, St Alban's College, South Africa.
  • 3rd Place - Team Thunder Down Under, Collaboration between Cheltenham Girls High and Noosa District State High School, Australia.

[edit] 2004 - 2005 - 2006:

International finals - Birmingham, England [41]

(The season started 2004, the regional and national finals were held in 2005 and the international finals were held in 2006.)[41]

  • 1st Place - Team Stingers, Trinity Grammar School, Australia.
  • 2nd Place - Team Flash, St Alban's College, South Africa.
  • 3rd Place - Team Turbo, Bloomsburg Highschool, USA.

[edit] 2005 - 2006 - 2007:

International finals - Melbourne, Australia [42].

[edit] 2006 - 2007 - 2008

International Finals - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ The New Straits Times Online
  2. ^ http://catalog.pitsco.com/about/news/item.aspx?art=363&bhcp=1
  3. ^ Denford Website - Virtual Wind Tunnel
  4. ^ F1 In Schools International News
  5. ^ Welcome to F1 in Schools!
  6. ^ About F1 in Schools - F1 in Schools
  7. ^ The Brief & Design Criteria - F1 in Schools
  8. ^ a b [1]
  9. ^ F1 in Schools World Championships results - F1 in Schools
  10. ^ Homepage - F1 in Schools
  11. ^ http://www.f1inschools.co.uk/News-article.asp?ID=53M
  12. ^ Welcome to F1 in Schools!
  13. ^ Marking Criteria - F1 in Schools
  14. ^ http://www.f1inschools.co.uk/data/downloads/D-Type-07-08.pdf
  15. ^ F1 in Schools World Championships results - F1 in Schools
  16. ^ Media Coverage - F1 in Schools
  17. ^ CBBC Newsround | Press Pack Reports | I helped design a model race car
  18. ^ Web Design Services in Sheffield - Our Portfolio
  19. ^ Autosport International : The Racing Car Show 2008
  20. ^ Media.Ford.com: F1 in Schools Challenge addresses Crisis in Engineering
  21. ^ Register of Collaborative Provision - City University London
  22. ^ http://www.cham.co.uk/DOCS/f1%20VWT%20Flyer.pdf
  23. ^ http://www.ry.com/files/casestudy/1829/Corus_CR_Report_05.pdf (p. 34)
  24. ^ Denford Website - Projects
  25. ^ EEF : Wanted - Judge for the International F1 Team in Schools Final!
  26. ^ http://www.imeche.org/NR/rdonlyres/8ED631D1-DAB0-4CAF-83C1-14E5CC885C47/0/f12005.pdf
  27. ^ http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/press/press_release_pdfs/F1%20scholarship%20announcement.pdf
  28. ^ http://co2.technologyeducator.com/links/links.htm
  29. ^ http://catalog.pitsco.com/store/detail.aspx?KeyWords=f1%20in%20schools&by=20&ID=4702
  30. ^ Formula 1 in Schools Challenge
  31. ^ http://www.tep.org.uk/PDF/NV6/NV6_TDIawards.pdf
  32. ^ The Manufacturing Technologies Association
  33. ^ Links
  34. ^ http://www.tenlinks.com/NEWS/PR/ugs/012006_f1.htm
  35. ^ Denford Website - Virtual Wind Tunnel
  36. ^ 2007 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix at Silverstone - F1 in Schools
  37. ^ National Final @ BETT Show 2002 - F1 in Schools
  38. ^ National Final @ BETT Show 2003 - F1 in Schools
  39. ^ EEF : Wanted - Judge for the International F1 Team in Schools Final!
  40. ^ icBirmingham - It's no drag for school pupils
  41. ^ a b Denford Website - F1 in Schools International Finals 05/06
  42. ^ F1 | Formula 1 - Ulster team takes F1 in Schools crown - ITV Sport

[edit] Links

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