WATCHING Formula 1 racing on the television might be exciting, but imagine how more interesting it could be for youngsters to prepare and race their own miniature F1 car against others in an exciting F1 school’s challenge?
MAHLE Behr South Africa (MBZA) has teamed up with The Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CASME), an NGO which aims to help children develop an interest in maths, science and engineering, to create a challenge which is getting learners in both primary and high schools switched on to design and engineering.
According to Jolene van Heerden, communications manager of MBZA, the aim of the collaboration between her company and the NGO is to help to continue and develop education in the critical areas of maths and science, and in particular engineering, the field which MBZA operates within.
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The 27 teams of budding engineers from Grade 7 and 9 at various local Durban schools are preparing to race their fastest miniature Formula 1 (F1) cars down a 24-metre long track at the F1 MAHLE schools’ challenge taking place in August.
“The F1 MAHLE schools challenge engages with both primary and high school learners and teachers,” said Van Heerden.
“It involves designing and manufacturing the fastest car possible, by emulating the design and engineering processes employed by automotive manufacturers such as MAHLE, as well as six other judging criteria,” she added.
He said the challenge involved a team of six students, each with a specific job responsibility to design and build a car using computer-aided design software, analyse and test the aerodynamics of their cars as well as approach businesses for sponsorship.
Mammoth challenge
There is no doubt that for the youngsters taking part, the focus and attention is going to be as intense as anything taking place behind the scenes at real-life sized Formula 1 racing circles.
“The content of this competition demands the application of a diverse set of 21st Century skills including collaboration, critical thinking and communication. At MAHLE we understand the importance of finding new ways to excite learners towards the field of engineering,” said Van Heerden.
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The whole challenge is a mammoth undertaking involving 162 learners, 27 educators, and 20 judges who will meet at the Pavilion Shopping Centre where participants will compete. Like in real life Formula 1 racing, each team must comply with very stringent criteria.
“Part of the racing requires each team to prepare a portfolio of evidence they will have to present at their team “pit” presentation,” said Van Heerden explaining that both her company and CASME feel that these strict rules are imperative because it gives the event credibility and weight.
“By bringing together learners, teachers, engineering mentors and volunteers from the community, at a rigorous, hands-on science and maths learning event we aim to generate excitement for engineering among participants. The high school learners, in particular, are at a critical stage in their schooling and will soon be making subject choices that will in many ways determine their future opportunities,” said Henre Benson, Director for CASME.
The sponsors of the F1 MAHLE Schools Challenge are: eThekwini Municipality and Young Engineers. The event will take place at the Pavilion Shopping Centre on 22 and 23 August 2019.
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