FORMULA 1 EVENT AT BANGOR

Bangor University’s School of Education hosted the annual regional final of the ‘F1 in Schools’ event this week. Over the last two days Primary and Secondary Schools have been exhibiting, presenting and competing for a place in the National finals. The aim of the competition is to design and manufacture at the University’s Design and Technology Centre a model of each team’s model Formula 1 car which will then race along a 20 metre track. The project will see regional finals held across the UK and in 32 countries worldwide.

After weeks of hard work designing, manufacturing and marketing their F1 cars, children from Schools across north Wales showcased their miniature F1 cars.

The F1 competition in schools took off to a flying start with 14 primary schools competing for the top spot on Wednesday. Competition winners of the day were ‘Team X Dream’ from Ysgol Y Talwrn. The team were excited by their win as they have been working on perfecting their design every year. It was their 3rd time competing at the event.

Head teacher, Gwyneth Hughes commented:

“This is our 3rd year competing at this event. We were improving each year and we are all delighted with the results. We are looking forward to compete nationally and not let north Wales down! We have had great support from local companies in preparing for this and we would like to thank them all.”

Ysgol Cae Top’s ‘Need4Speed’won second prize and ‘Teardrop’ of Ysgol Brynhedydd taking 3rd prize.

Over 20 Secondary Schools took part in the competition on the second day of the F1 event. Guest speaker Brian O'Rourke, Williams F1 Team’s Chief Composites Engineer inspired children with his talk on how F1 cars are tested to FIA regulations by means of impressive crash test footage. Brain O’Rourke also presented the secondary 1st place award: Bloodhound Class to ‘Fast Lane’ of Ysgol Friars. The 1st place F1 Class Award went to ‘Fflam’ of Ysgol Botwnnog who also came top under the fastest car category and for best sponsorship and marketing. The best Rookie Team was awarded to ‘Apollo’ of Ysgol y Grango, Wrexham.
Dewi Rowlands, Director of the Product Design Technology Centre at Bangor University said:

“Over this two day event, the quality of work produced at both primary and secondary level has been outstanding. This kind of event showcases areas of design, engineering and technology at its best. It encourages and promotes good team work amongst young learners and raises awareness and confidence in learning about what could be viewed as quite a complicated science in a fun and innovative way. The enthusiasm from the F1 event organisers, the staff, the participating schools and the children themselves has been fantastic. Despite the snow, the participating schools were not going to let the cold weather stop them from competing! Their energy has been brilliant. This F1 event is a great platform that inspires young learners to get even more interested in the field of Product Design in a practical, imaginative and exciting way.”

F1 in Schools is a multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams use Computer Aided Design software to design, test and manufacture miniature compressed air powered balsa wood Formula One cars. The cars are raced side-by-side, competing regionally, nationally and internationally for the Bernie Ecclestone trophy. Teams of four to six students must raise sponsorship and manage budgets to fund research, travel and accommodation. Students benefit by experiencing the design-Analyse-Make-Test-Race process deployed by the teams in the real world of formula One.
Further information can be found at: www.f1inschools.co.uk
The winners will compete in the National finals held taking place at the Big Bang Fair in March 2011 at the London Excel Centre.

Details of Bangor University’s Product Design Courses can be found at www.bangor.ac.uk/education

03.12.10