NIGERIA TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE
Dated: 30/10/2009
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The ever growing F1 in Schools Technology Challenge has now expanded into yet another new territory with Nigeria being the latest country to sign up to the challenge. With 11 schools already keen to take part in the challenge early indications show that we could well see a Nigerian entry taking part at the 2010 World Championships. At a global level F1 in Schools reaches over 12 million students in 32 countries
F1 in Schools is a multi-disciplinary challenge which has developed from an inter-school national competition into a global challenge which embraces many of the core subjects within education, using the popularity of the high profile sport of Formula One to enrich their learning experience and skills. Over 30 countries across the world now operate this innovative programme, many of which have included it within the national curriculum. The aim of F1 in Schools is to encourage students to consider engineering as a career, highlighting the positive nature of all that embraces engineering in a fun and positive way. The challenge is for school children aged 11 to 19 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse, manufacture, test and race a 20th scale model F1 car made from balsa wood. The car is then raced down a 20 metre track powered by compressed air canisters. The teams also replicate a Formula One pit garage/display for their cars, create team wear, merchandise and raise sponsorship to be able to afford to events.
The Nigerian team have received support from Chief (Dr) Chris Agbobu, a former minister of state for Defence who is the first patron of the challenge in this region. The Cross-Rivers State Government is also a partner of challenge offering in-kind sponsorship.
Schools who have already signed up for the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge are Dowen college in Lagos, British International School in Lagos, Lekki-British High School in Lagos, Abti-American Academy in Yola and Infant Jesus Academy in Asaba, all of which will be competing in a National Final where the winners will win a place to represent Nigeria at the 2010 World Championships.
For further information please contact:
Katie Fabian
Marketing Executive
F1 in Schools
Tel: +44(0)20 7344 8449
Email: kfabian@f1inschools.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
· F1 in Schools is the only global multi-disciplinary challenge for students aged 11 to 19.
· The founding constitution of F1 in Schools stipulates that it is, and shall remain a not-for-profit organisation. Based in London, and supported by the IET, funds are raised through sponsorship, invested in administering, developing and expanding the challenge.
· Teams compete for awards in the following categories – World Champions (achieved by collecting the most points), Fastest Car, Best Engineered Car, Innovative Thinking, Best New Comer, Best Team Sponsorship/Marketing and Best Collaborative Teams.
· Working in teams of between three and six, each student is assigned roles. The team prepares a business plan, develops a budget and raises sponsorship to fund research, travel and accommodation.
· The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, 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.
· Using 3D CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) software, the team evaluates the most efficient machining strategy to make the car.
· Aerodynamics are tested in wind and smoke tunnels and analysed for drag co-efficiency in a virtual reality wind tunnel using Computational Fluid Dynamics Software (CPD)
· Cars are raced side-by-side along a 20-metre track at a scale speed of over 220mph, clocking just over one second.
