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Formula Schools

An exciting engineering challenge focused on Students at Key Stage 3 and 4.

Developing skills in:
Engineering
Power train and Chassis Design
Bodywork and Aerodynamics
Composites
Electronics
Team working
Driving

This project is based around the design, build and racing of a scale fuel engined RC car.
From a simple starting point, the opportunities are vast.

Why take part?

Much of the Technology based economy relies on people with skills in a cross-section of Engineering disciplines? Mechanical; Electrical; Electronic; Information Technology

Most employers in this sector suffer difficulties in recruiting personnel with appropriate skills and knowledge.

The long-term solution to this problem lies in stimulating talented young minds to choose technological education and career pathways. Perspectives given by parents and, very often, career guidance are not up to date, painting a poor image based on myths and mis-information.

You can take an active part in an innovative scheme, which introduces pupils at an impressionable age to the world of engineering. It aims to dispel the myths surrounding engineering and lets young people experience at first hand, many aspects of team-working in this environment.

What do pupils do?

With Motorsports Engineering as a context, teams work to a competition deadline to complete an all-encompassing challenge ranging from performance engineering to team marketing strategies.

School teams link with a technology based company to design, build, and then race a radio-controlled car powered by a petrol engine. All the hardware to produce two ‘starter’ chassis is supplied, schools then enter their final solution to score points in the following categories:

- Power-train and Chassis
- Body and Aerodynamics
- Teamwork
- Driving

Many schools now use the scheme to deliver courses such as GCSE in Engineering, Resistant Materials Systems Control and Electronics.

Activities supported by the scheme include:

- Composites materials Technology and manufacturing
- Opto-Electronics systems
- CAD CAM
- Data capture from school engineered Dynamometers
- Construction of communication systems such as team Web Sites

All this adds up to young people experiencing the application of scientific / technical skills and knowledge not available in mainstream education.

Outcomes

- More school pupils motivated to select Science and Technology options, at GCSE and Advanced levels.
- Schools, given delivery models, engage in an engineering curriculum leading to specific courses. Currently: GCSE Engineering, Resistant Materials, Electronics and Systems Control.
- Pupils are made aware of career opportunities in engineering.
- Greater numbers pursue further education entering employment at technician level after taking Advanced Science and Engineering courses, or gain entry to higher education in an engineering discipline.

"The success of the British Motorsport industry is founded on the skills of its engineers. We must encourage young people to see that a career in engineering is something to be proud to aspire to. Only by working with children at an early age through such schemes as Formula Schools can we engender such ideas." David Richards Prodrive Chairman and BAR Team Principal

Resources

Additional Factors

Staff who have taken part in Formula Schools have found it a rewarding experience.
Directly addressing the needs of a technology based economy by working with schools comes with its own feel good factor. Sharing skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm with young people; stimulating them to follow in their footsteps. Often describing the experience as ‘an investment in the future,’
For most, it is the first time that they have been back to a school since leaving.
It also fits well with company PR profiles.
And finally............ it is very good fun.