Fourways High School and Jabulani Technical High School schoolchildren are set to represent the country and compete against other countries in the F1 in Schools World Championships in Malaysia in September.
Both schools made it to the national finals held on the weekend of 5 to 7 May at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg in a hotly contested competition which saw eight schools competing against each other.
The Mercury F1 Team from Fourways High School comprised four girls and one boy and team Rip and Ride from Jabulani Technical High School comprised four boys and two girls.
“The competition requires teams to design, manufacture and race their own miniature Formula 2 cars. The challenge has become well-known worldwide as an educational competition that actively promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It is a prestigious and fun event where the value of learning is showing exceptional results,” Bez Sangari, chief executive officer of Sangari Education said.
Pieter du Plessis, F1 in Schools programme manager at Sangari Education, explained that the programme developed a true entrepreneurial spirit among the schoolchildren who were required to prepare a business plan, do research and build links with industry to gain sponsorship.
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Du Plessis added that the schoolchildren gained firsthand experience in marketing and accounting as they needed to provide a complete portfolio as part of the competition.
“What made the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge different was that it entailed a comprehensive and inclusive learning approach which helped learners engage in subjects that improve their literacy, numeracy, sport and sports science, design and technology, art and design, textiles knowledge, Stem learning, computing, and business and enterprise,” Sangari said.
Sangari added that the programme focused on using Project Based Learning as an approach where schoolchildren go through the physical experiences themselves.
“In their teams they are faced with challenges, victories, planning and obstacles that need to be overcome to succeed. This teaches true teamwork and develops communication along with leadership skills from a young age.”
The schoolchildren used 3D Cad software to design a car based on the specifications set by the International Rules Committee and used Computational Fluid Dynamics Software to analyse their car designs.
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