Ulverstone, Brooks and Queechy High Schools, Port Dalrymple and Launceston College will battle it out in the Tasmanian F1 in Schools Final on Friday 19 September at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside.
Sixteen teams of three-five students from Years 7-12 will use real world Three Dimensional CAD/CAM technologies to design, test, manufacture and race miniature CO2-powered balsa wood Formula 1 cars.
Students use the same technology as currently used by the real F1 teams and vehicle manufacturers to design, make, market and test and race their miniature F1 style cars. The gas-powered cars are capable of speeds exceeding 80 kilometres per hour and can cover the track in less than 1.5 seconds.
Each team will be assessed against set criteria including engineering, car speed, technical portfolio, industry collaboration and verbal presentations.
Bell Bay Aluminium, in partnership with Re-Engineering Australia, established the innovative program in a number of Northern Tasmania schools seven years ago as a way of introducing students to the world of engineering and manufacturing-related trades and professions.
This exciting competition will expose students to 3D modelling, virtual wind tunnels, graphic design, project management, fund raising, computer-aided manufacturing, marketing, sponsorship, presentations skills and team work.
The competition is the largest secondary school technology program in the world, involving more than 9,000,000 students from 17,000 schools in 31 countries. Northern Tasmanian schools have a strong history of success in F1 in Schools.
This year’s winners will be announced by Bell Bay Aluminium and Re- Engineering Australia from 3.15pm tomorrow. The winning Tasmanian category teams will represent the State at the National Championships to be held in early 2015.