The Learning Grid

  Learning Grid Approved Activities

Case Study

F1 in Schools gives students the chance to design and create a model CO2-powered car of the future, testing their skills against other schools in their region, nationally and internationally.

The challenge includes using computer-aided design (CAD) packages for the first stage, transferring the design into computer numerical control (CNC) language using computer-aided manufacture (CAM) software. The car can then be manufactured on CNC machines and then tested by students. The team, of between three and six students, must support the design with a folder of evidence, showing an orthographic projection of the car and a colour isometric drawing or 3D rendering of the team’s final idea.

Teams and teachers can draw on resources from the project to provide them with a design guide offering a tutorial and downloadable files, a manufacture guide, portfolio examples, a virtual wind tunnel tutorial and a list of manufacturing, test and racing centres in their area. If schools don’t have the equipment needed to manufacture the model, they can, through video conferencing, see it done at a manufacturing centre.

Students not only experience the excitement of creating their own racing car in model form, but because familiar with CAD and CAM packages, visualising their ideas in 3D and developing the design for manufacturing. Virtual reality packages allow machining and processing tasks to be practised in real time and in total safety, even if a school doesn’t have CNC hardware. Video conferencing means that problems can be solved in live conferences with experienced professionals and develop their work on-line.

This challenge can also give access to other award schemes, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards and BA Crest Awards. F1 in Schools can be used part of the skills section of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and the portfolio developed during the challenge can be used for accreditation in the BA scheme.

Regional finals are held across the UK each October and November for registered teams, followed by a national final and an international final. Teams exhibit their portfolios and their cars, racing the models to find the winner. The 2005-2006 competition is now on, with the national final to be held on Saturday January 14 and the international final on Sunday January 15 2006 at the Autosport International Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

To see how the challenge gave one teacher invaluable help, click here.

F1 in Schools
Savoy Place
London
WC2R 0BL

Tel: +44 (0)20 7344 8449

Fax: +44 (0)20 7344 8450

Email: contactus@f1inschools.co.uk