F1 in Schools Launches in Shropshire – Bauromat to Support School

Over the course of the day, students participated in a range of workshops spanning all areas of the manufacturing, introducing them to skills that will form essential parts of the F1 in Schools process. Concluding the day with a test run down the F1 in Schools track, the students first had to carve, plane and mill modelling foam into the desired car shape – within the regulations of course!

These are the first steps on an almost 24 month journey that
is F1 in Schools.

What is F1 in Schools?

F1 in Schools is exactly what it says on the tin, really. It’s way of introducing all areas of manufacturing to kids at a young age, highlighting the benefits it can have not just for themselves but the economy, too.

Mark Wemyss-Holden, Project Manager of the scheme, summed it
up best. The F1 name perhaps throws up thoughts of the playboy lifestyle and
racing fast cars, but F1 in Schools isn’t looking for the next Lewis Hamilton.
Instead, it’s trying to unearth the brains of the operations, the next Adrian
Neweys or Claire Williams’ of the world.

Working together with STEM workshops, F1 in Schools is about
offering choice and showing that a degree isn’t the only option for those
leaving school – apprenticeships in engineering can lead to equal amounts of
opportunity.

As Christopher Greenough, Commercial Director at Salop Design & Engineering said, speaking at the launch of the event “this scheme is looking for high flying engineers and the chance to bridge the skills gap. Use it as an opportunity to disrupt the technologies and think outside the box.”

The Format

Over the course of the next 12-18 months, schools will
continue to design, development & manufacture of their vehicles using the
tools and strict technical rules provided by the scheme. The competition begins
with regional finals where winners will head to nationals.

How do you win? Make sure your car is the quickest in a 25
metre, compressed air powered race to the line.

If teams succeed at nationals, competing with schools from
all over the countries they then get the opportunity to participate in the
world finals in Abu Dhabi, which are set to take place during the weekend of
the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Schools from the UK will be vying to follow emulate
the 2019 competition in which 2 of the final 3 teams (including the winners)
were British schools.

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Want to know more? Then you’re in the right place, we’ll keep updates throughout the F1 in Schools scheme and share all the progress our school makes.