Maitland Grossmann High School team “Audacity” has achieved first place at the prestigious F1 in Schools NSW Finals held in Sydney.

Audacity team raced their 25cm prototype F1 car powered by CO2 complete with 3D printed wheels which won them first place at the regional finals held at the University of Newcastle in September.

F1 in Schools is an international challenge in which teams of students deploy CAD/CAM software to collaborate, design, analyse, manufacture, test, and then race miniature compressed air powered balsa wood F1 cars. It is the world’s largest secondary school technology program and is supported in the region by RDA Hunter’s ME Program. It involves over nine million students from 17,000 schools in 31 nations.

As part of the F1 Program students as young as 10 are designing, testing and making miniature F1 cars capable of 80km/h. F1 in Schools is a holistic action learning program which focuses on leadership, public speaking, marketing, collaboration as well as the design and construction of the cars.

Hunter High schools have become more competitive in recent years with two teams making it to the National competition last year. Other successful Hunter region school teams include Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College’s “Caught Speeding” winning the Cadet Class – Junior Division and Mount View High school’s ‘Revolution Racing’ team, runners up in the Pro Junior Class Division.

“It is incredibly pleasing to have so many Hunter teams competing at the State F1 finals this year. To see them perform at such a high level against a State field shows the depth of talent we have here in the Hunter and positions the region for the future.” said ME Program Manager, Mr Ashley Cox.

F1 in Schools Hunter teams are supported and sponsored by RDA Hunter’s ME Program and many local industry partners. The ME Program links industry with its future workforce. It works to provide school students and teachers with current industry practices and knowledge while providing industry with an engaged and capable workforce.

The F1 in Schools challenge is one of a number of technology pathways supported by the ME Program which promotes the career benefits of studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects. It encourages students to apply their learning in a ‘real’ situation and helps develop other skills such as project management, business marketing, presentation and communication skills that provide long term employability.

View the Maitland Mercury story http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/2687007/grossmann-high-team-wins-f1-finals/?cs=171