F1 in Schools: brings classroom to the circuit

Abu Dhabi: Over nine million students from 30 countries have been involved in F1 in Schools — a truly global education programme linked with the sport of Formula One — and the schools in the UAE have begun to take part in the event which leads up to a world championship.

Open to students aged nine to 19 years, all it takes is a group of six such youngsters coming together to form a team and then vie for national, regional and international honours.

F1 in Schools Middle East Director Don Sanky told Gulf News on Tuesday, "Operational in the Gulf region since June last year, F1 in Schools has full endorsement from the Ministry of Education, has been presented to over 40,000 students in school assemblies and has 41 schools registered across the GCC and Jordan.

"In the UAE, we have over 30 organisations that have registered teams and with the 2009 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on in a few weeks these numbers are bound to increase," said Sanky.

"This year, we saw regional teams from the UAE, Oman and Bahrain compete on the world stage in London, the highest number of teams to date from the area. We are confident that after the November 1 race here, the interest will grow and the ultimate aim is to one day have a UAE team winning the world championship," Sanky added.

Teams are judged on car speed, as well as supporting evidence of their design, verbal presentation and marketing display stand in ‘‘the pits". Teams compete regionally, nationally and internationally for the Bernie Ecclestone F1 in Schools World Championship trophy.

Achievement

"Creation of the Yas Marina Circuit signals an historic achievement for Abu Dhabi and the UAE and I believe it promises to set the bar for circuit designs of the future. I hope to see the circuit become as accessible as possible to those in Abu Dhabi who perhaps see the sport as something beyond their reach," he said.

"We have the opportunity to ignite the imagination of the youth of Abu Dhabi and inspire them to achieve their potential in the many aspects of motorsport, including Business Development, Engineering, Science and Technology, Design and Manufacture." Sanky said.

"F1 in Schools is bringing the classroom to the circuit, bridging the gap, and, most importantly — making learning fun!" said Sanky, hoping that Abu Dhabi would also play host to an F1 in Schools World Championship in the near future.

How F1 in Schools works

F1 in Schools visits schools and perform a school assembly.

A student and up to five of his/her friends get together and form a team.

Give yourselves a name and design a ‘team identity' (team logo / colour-scheme / T-shirts / caps)

Set a target and raise a team-budget (approach companies / sponsored events / save your pocket-money etc)

Each member of the team decide who will perform each role (designer/engineer / resource manager etc)

Register on www.f1inschools.ae website and receive your ‘starter-kit' (software / worksheets / rules and regulations etc)

Work towards the deadline set by your teacher (for internal competition) or by F1 in Schools ME (for external competition)

Compete in school / progressing to regional events / national events / and on to The World Championships.

(Students from different schools can also form a team)