F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Makes it Across the Pond to Ireland

Today Irish Minister for Education Mary Hannifin marked the recent introduction of two new subjects to the Leaving Certificate (Design and Communication Graphics and Technology) with the kick off of the Formula 1 in Schools Challenge.

Students in Ireland are invited to produce their own Formula 1 racing car, with a twist. Students must design, build and then race a Formula 1 car which runs exclusively on CO2.

The F1 Challenge in Schools provide Computer Aided Design (CAD) software and Virtual Wind Tunnel software for the competing teams, the latter being used to test certain aspects of the design such as drag and lift. Co-operating colleges have agreed to allow the competitors use of their facilities as Make Centres.

Last years winners, Team Gear Force from Tipperary, in addition to a trip to the Honda F1 Headquarters in Brackley, England, will go on to compete in the world championships in Malaysia in spring 2008.

Liam Murphy the assistant national coordinator with t4, which designed the new LC subjects said “The F1 in Schools Challenge allows students to gain experiences in research, presentation, sketching, design and solid modeling, which mirror many of the skills needed in the new leaving certificate technology subjects”