Scientists, researchers, and engineers are all the backbone of any knowledge-based economy and with this in mind, seven Durban schools have taken on the challenge to test their technical skills and love for motorsport as they compete to design the ultimate Formula One car of the future in Top Gear Festival's Legacy Initiative Project: the F1 In Schools Technology Challenge.
With the support of the Durban University of Technology, this multi-disciplinary challenge tasks seven teams of students to design and create a miniature version of the F1 car of the future. This mini Formula One racer must to be made out of balsa wood and be a powered by a compressed CO2 cylinder across a 20-metre track.
The F1 in schools will take place at Top Gear Festival Durban from the 15 to 16 June at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, where each team will also have an exhibition stand to display their drawings and marketing campaign for their respective schools.
Festival-goers will be invited to watch the races and question the students who have participated.
The seven schools participating are:
Top Gear Festival's Legacy Initiative project manager, Anna Sacks, said that the challenge was designed specifically to inspire 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.
"This is a fantastic programme, with the potential to educate, empower and inspire. It does take commitment from both parties, but the end result is going to be amazing. We are looking forward to being inspired and educated by these miniature dynamo F1 creations," said Sacks.
The teams will be using 3D CAD software to collaborate, design, analyse, manufacture, test and then race their miniature gas-powered balsa wood F1 cars.
As it is a multi-disciplinary challenge the teams will be judged on a number of mediums including:
Each team has been allocated a current DUT student within the Engineering Faculty, as a mentor to assist with the technical and IT aspects of designing the F1 cars, while the Top Gear Festival team will provide training within the areas of commercial sponsorship and marketing to assist students in preparing their business plan; creating a budget and raising sponsorship in order to fund their ventures.
To date, the students have attended one of two workshops on how to approach potential partners or sponsors and how to develop their marketing campaign. This support will continue on a one-on-one basis for each of the teams until the build-up to race day at the Top Gear Festival.
A public test run opportunity will be held at the ScienCentre, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, when the teams will showcase their technological pieces in a mock race. These dates will be confirmed closer to the time.
Tickets for the Top Gear Festival are on sale now and range from the Basic Ticket at R250 to R2100 for an Ultimate Package. For more information on ticket prices or to book, go to www.topgearfestival.co.za or www.itickets.co.za to purchase tickets.
