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THE ninth F1 in Schools World Finals is drawing ever closer and Bahrain’s representatives reckon a ‘eureka moment’, state-of-the-art technology and backing from supportive sponsors will steer them to success.
Team Epiphany from St Christopher’s School will be taking part in this prestigious global educational initiative and will soon be jetting off to Austin, in the US state of Texas, to compete against 38 other teams from around the world.
The accolade F1 in Schools World Champions 2013, the Bernie Ecclestone World Champions trophy and university scholarships to City University London is the prize for the team standing on the top step of the podium at the end of the competition, but the rewards are high for every team competing in the world finals.
The event, taking place across four days, is held alongside the 2013 Formula One United States Grand Prix, which takes place at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin from November 15 – 17.
Team manager Suad El-Jawhari, 16, said: “We’re very excited and determined to do well. It’s awesome to not only be representing our school but the entire country in the world finals.”
She will be travelling with Rishi Kumra, 15, manufacturering engineer, Sami Yateem, 16, design engineer, Lahan Sperinck, 15, marketing manager, Sheran Mendis, 15, graphics designer and her younger brother, Mohammad, 12, public relations officer and company apprentice.
An epiphany is the sudden realisation or comprehension of a larger essence or meaning and the name described perfectly how the team fitted together, explained Suad, who is studying for her GCSEs and wants to carve out a career in engineering after further studies in the US or Germany.
“It was like our ‘eureka moment’ and look where it has taken us,” she explained. “Our individual skills set perfectly together to achieve a common goal.”
F1 in Schools challenges students to create their own Formula One team which is commissioned to design, manufacture and race the fastest miniature Formula One Car of the Future; a 21cm long scale model designed using 3D solid modelling software and machined from a block of balsa wood, incorporating 3D print technology in its front and rear wings.
At the World Finals each team will bring along a pit display, their cars and portfolio, as well as having prepared a verbal presentation for the judges. The cars race on a 20 metre track, with the cars covering the distance in just over one second, a speed barrier which is yet to be broken by any student team since it was set by Team FUGA from Northern Ireland at the 2007 World Finals with a time of 1.020 seconds.
The St Christopher’s School youngsters have been working under the supervision of Martin Plunkett, design and technology teacher, who is also the F1 in Schools director.
The children are contributing BD700 each towards the cost of the US adventure and raised a further BD4,600 through sponsorship to help with the cost of flights, hotel accommodation, uniforms and registration fees.
The trip has only been made possible by the generosity of sponsors and supporters and the team’s enthusiasm and dynamism in convincing the Bahrain International Circuit, McLaren Automotive, Trust RE and Classic Promo Marketing to back their dreams. Parents hope an airline will step forward in the future too with sponsorship.
The school’s recent investment in a 3D printer, at a cost of around BD6,500, also made it possible to make the essential parts using a specialist computer programme.
They have even been able to test the quality of the car throughout its development by using a virtual wind tunnel.
“I’m very impressed with the finished product,” said Mr Plunkett. “It was hit by a slight gust of wind from the air conditioner and flew across the table. Team Epiphany members are true contenders.
“F1 in Schools has helped change perceptions of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula One, science, marketing and technology.”
Teams will arrive in Austin a week ahead of the Formula 1 event, with a welcome lunch following a tour of the Texas State Capital, not only the home of the state government of Texas, but also a US historic landmark billed as the seventh largest building in the world.
The competition then starts in earnest with the teams building their pit displays before three days of judging which will lead to an Awards Celebration and the crowning of the new F1 in Schools World Champions.
After all their hard work the teams will be treated to a visit to the Circuit of The Americas and a pit lane walk on the Thursday of grand prix weekend and can then stay on to watch the race as guests of the circuit.
It will add to the St Christopher’s pupils’ already impressive F1 portfolio. They met up with the Infiniti Red Bull team during the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in April and one of Formula One’s leading engineers, Stuart Green, called into the classroom to help inspire the young designers.
He is former world champion Lewis Hamilton’s ‘front end’ mechanic at Mercedes GP and before the British driver moved from McLaren this season he worked with German driver Michael Schumacher who won the first ever Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix staged in the kingdom.
Andrew Denford, founder and chairman of F1 in Schools, said he is looking forward to welcoming Team Epiphany to the US and said: “We are all set for the biggest F1 in Schools World Finals yet, with more teams than in any previous World Finals competing for the World Champions title.
“We have a fantastic event lined up for the students, with a mix of intensive work and the challenge of competing at the highest-level of F1 in Schools, alongside the excitement of the grand prix.”
Predicting a close fought F1 in Schools World Finals 2013 he added: “I have seen the standard of work, the dedication to the competition and the students’ commitment increase every year and I’m sure it will all be of the highest level in Austin.
“We’ve always seen new innovations, use of different materials and technology at the World Finals and I’m sure this one will be no exception. The teams will give the judges plenty of challenges and I’m looking forward to a very exciting competition.
“We will be bringing together over 300 students from 23 different countries with a real diversity of cultures, cuisines, lifestyles and education.
“I know from previous years’ that the students gain enormously from meeting their peers from different social and cultural backgrounds.
“It is an enriching experience for the students on so many different levels and I know that all the teams competing in 2013 will leave the event having had the most amazing time of their life.”
Discussions are on-going in Bahrain to open up the competition to all children next year, including those attending state schools, with further sponsorship and funding.
* Keep up with Team Epiphany’s challenge by visiting its Facebook page www.facebook.com/EpiphanyBahrain
