Welcome to f1inschools.co.za
The F1 Team in Schools Challenge is a competition, open to
all SA based secondary schools and colleges, to design and
manufacture compact gas cylinder powered model racing cars.
Student teams will compete against each other in a national
championship to determine the best engineered and fastest car in
SA. It's just like being in a real Formula One team. The
competition is run by the Sangari Group -
www.sangari.co.za
F1 and the Curriculum
F1 Team in Schools Design Challenge and the Outcomes Based
Education System
While it is true that scientists, researchers, and engineers
are the backbone of knowledge-based economies and that without
them we would not have the worldwide web or many other advances
we take for granted in our lives, the world is failing to cope
with the booming demand in these disciplines. This has become
a global issue and South Africa is not spared at all in this
crisis. Indeed, there is a perception that science is becoming
unpopular subject with students and this has raised fears that
we could run out of scientists. It might be that students are
either less interested in science or less academically equipped
to pursue such paths as their career. With this in mind, F1
Teams in Schools was introduced in schools to motivate learners.
Formula 1 in schools and The National Curriculum Statement
It is an outcomes based educational program that provides a
unique opportunity for building of practical links between
education and industry. The program encourages students to
design and manufacture carbon dioxide powered model racing
cars, a process that blends well with a cross-curricula activity
to satisfy many of the requirements laid down in the Learning
areas of the
National Curriculum Statement.
The Challenge Process
To get involved and to benefit from the free software schools
need to register for the Challenge. Once the registration fee
has been received the schools will receive the Siemens PLM Solid Edge
3D Modeling computer assisted design (CAD) package license for
up to 300 users This software package is the same professional
package used in the industry today and together with the Pathtrace
EdgeCAM software, makes a powerful modeling and manufacturing
tool with commercial value over R60 000. These two are provided
to the schools free of charge. Once the software is installed,
the teacher and learners can follow the tutorials and with the
support of a nominated higher education institution they learn
to produce 3D models of racing cars for their teams. The 3D
model can then be analysed in the Virtual Wind Tunnel, if available,
and a simulated machining process can be seen using the EdgeCAM
software. Once the design is completed, the electronic file
can be sent to a manufacturing center for machining on a Denford
CNC Router. The unfinished car is then returned to the F1 team
in the school where it is finished by painting and assembling
the wheels and ensuring the sponsor's logos are visible. Then
the racing commences, first at schools and local institutions
level and then onto provincial and national championships. The
winning team will have the opportunity to represent South Africa
in the World Championship.
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