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The 2008 F1 in Schools world champions, Team Pulse from the UK’s Devonport High School for Boys, enjoyed a taste of the high life last week as they continued to celebrate winning the international challenge.
Their ‘week to remember’ began on Thursday morning with a tour of the House of Commons, courtesy of the school’s local Member of Parliament, Linda Gilroy. In the evening Pulse were then invited to St James’s Palace for a UK Trade and Investment reception, where they met His Royal Highness Prince Andrew.
They then capped off the week with a visit to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, where they were granted exclusive access to the Formula One paddock. As well as watching the drivers prepare to race, the students were given a tour of the BMW Sauber team garage by the squad’s third driver, Christian Klien.
“We’ve had a great time over the last few days,” said John Ware, Pulse’s team manager. “It’s been non-stop for us, but we’ve loved every minute of it. We’re very privileged to have met so many famous people, including royalty, visiting a palace in London, and then a different sort at Silverstone - the BMW garage was definitely a motor racing palace!”
“We were treated like royalty there as well, so it was excellent. We’re also going to visit another award-winning venue, which is the McLaren Technology Centre. We’ve been invited to go there next Thursday and we’re really looking forward to that, especially to see the engineering department - and hopefully to see Lewis’s race winning car!”
As well as Team Pulse, several other F1 in Schools squads enjoyed an exclusive glimpse of Formula One racing over the Silverstone weekend. Team Blaze from Ynysawdre School in Wales, who were crowned national champions at the 2008 finals earlier this year, visited Renault’s team garage, while Spectrum, a team from Robert May’s School toured the Toyota garage.
“The weekend has been a fantastic opportunity for the students to witness Formula One up close,” said Andrew Denford, F1 in Schools founder. “They had unrivalled access to the teams, garages and Formula One paddock hospitality, and spent time talking to some very influential people. I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone and Silverstone for making us so welcome. It gives our students a real insight into the heights that can be achieved with an engineering education and is very inspirational.”
F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged from 9-18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa wood and powered by CO2 cylinders. Working in teams of between three and six, the students prepare a business plan, develop a budget and raise sponsorship as well as designing and racing their car. The challenge inspires students to learn about science, maths, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.
For further information on the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge visit www.f1inschools.co.uk
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