Local Formula One team to tear up track
13/01/2010
Students from a North East school are geared up for a national Formula One final, with help from Northumbrian Water.
Year eight and nine science and technology pupils from Hermitage School, Chester le Street, have secured a place at the Formula One in Schools UK final, with a race car entry that took only four weeks to design and build.
The competition challenges students to design, build and race a car made from balsa wood and powered by a compressed air canister. All teams are given the same materials and fixed dimensions and are encouraged to seek expert advice and sponsorship from businesses for a competitive edge.
Derek Brown, who works as an investment delivery team leader at Northumbrian Water’s head office at Pity Me, Durham, provided the students, aged 12 to 14, with engineering expertise through the water company’s employee volunteering scheme, Just an hour.
Just an hour gives all workers the opportunity to spend at least 15 hours of paid, work time a year helping community projects in the company’s supply area - from Berwick to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines.
Andrea Rose, lead teacher for gifted and talented at Hermitage School, said: “This is the first year students and staff have entered this challenge. The advice from Derek was invaluable for the students as they had so little time to prepare for the regional final. They can now build on and take this advice to the national final.”
Derek said: “When I arrived at the school, there was little time to complete the model racing car and prepare a presentation, but it was obvious that these pupils were well motivated and enthusiastic and this went a long way.
“I prepared the team for questions from the judges to ensure they would be able to explain the science and engineering behind the design and construction of the car. I also gave the students some coaching on how to present as a team.
“I wish the team the best of luck at the UK final and hopefully they’ll go on to lift the silverware at the Formula One in Schools World Championships!”
The students, who won ‘Best Rookie Class’ for their car design and presentation at the North East regional qualifiers in December 2009, will compete against nine other teams at the UK final at the Autosport International Show, NEC Birmingham on Saturday January 16 2010 and Sunday January 17 2010.
Since its launch seven years ago, more than 8,300 teams from 30 countries worldwide have registered for the Formula One in Schools challenge. More information can be found at www.f1inschools.co.uk.
Since Northumbrian Water’s ‘Just an hour’ scheme was launched in 2002, employees have spent more than 29,000 hours working on local community projects and improving the environment.
For more information contact Leanne Clough on 0191 301 6733.