Devonport’s Team Pulse crowned 2008 F1 in Schools
World Champions
Team Pulse from Devonport High School for Boys,
Plymouth, UK have lifted the Bernie Ecclestone Trophy as they were
crowned 2008 F1 in Schools World Champions at World Championships
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Semta is particularly delighted to congratulate the team, as we
were part of the consortium which originally sponsored Devonport
High School to become one of the very first Engineering Specialist
Schools in 2002.
After 12 months of intense competition from over 7 million
students, Team Pulse battled their way through regional and
national finals to reach the World Championships. In Kuala Lumpur,
the five lads from Plymouth competed against students of 28
nationalities across Australia, Europe, Asia, America and the
Middle East in three days of intense competition.
Team Pulse also won the ‘Fastest Car’ award clocking a time of
1.064 seconds, just shy of the world record set by Team Fuga of
Northern Ireland last year at 1.020 seconds. The judges said Pulse
scored well with an impressive portfolio and clinical presentation
as well as winning the knock out challenge on Thursday morning to
clinch the highest points total and scoop the title of “2008 World
Champions”.
As part of their prize, Team Pulse attended the Petronas Formula
One™ Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit with
access to the prestigious Formula 1 paddock, as well as having a
tour of the pits and garages.
The F1 in Schools Technology Challenge is for school children
aged 11 to 18 to use CAD/CAM software to design, analyse,
manufacture, test and race their miniature F1 car made from balsa
wood and powered by CO2 cylinders. Working in teams of between
three and six, each student is assigned roles, and each team
prepares a business plan, develops a budget and raises sponsorship
to fund research, travel and accommodation.
The challenge inspires students to use IT to learn about
physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics,
sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and
financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative,
competitive and exciting way. Using 3D CAM (Computer Aided
Manufacture) software, the team evaluates the most efficient
machining strategy to make the car. Aerodynamics are tested in wind
and smoke tunnels and analysed for drag co-efficiency in a virtual
reality wind tunnel using Computational Fluid Dynamics Software
(CPD). Cars are then raced side-by-side along a 20-metre track at a
scale speed of over 220mph.
For more information on the F1 in Schools Formula One Challenge
in the UK, go to http://www.f1inschools.org.uk/
For more information on the 2008 F1 in Schools World
Championships, go to http://www.f1inschools.com.my/index.cfm
26/3/2008