The second regional competition in the ‘F1 in Schools’ series, hosted by education solutions provider Sangari SA, was held at Jabulani Technical High School.
The winners were once again the girl’s Mercury Team from Fourways High in Sandton.
This is their second win in the regional competition.
Second place went to Team Wild Hogs also from Fourways High and third place went to Team Rip and Ride from Jabulani Technical School.
Since its implementation, the F1 in Schools challenge has seen a variety of teams competing from different schools.
From Aurora Girls High School Soweto four teams competed: F1 Explorers Team, Group6 Lab, Innovative F1 Mechanics and Lama F1 Team; and from Barnard Molokoane Comprehensive School Parys: Team Triple Infinities, Scintilla and Team Ostentatious Assassins.
The F1 challenge enables pupils to work as a team in collaborating, exploring and developing engineering concepts.
Programme manager for F1 in Schools, Pieter du Plessis said monthly competitions are planned where teams will compete on a league basis.
Du Plessis said: “This will culminate in the national competition next year where the winning team will represent South Africa at the world championships.
“Registrations for schools are still open and teams wanting to participate in the regional competition can register their team and seek sponsorship to compete.
“The programme develops a true entrepreneurial spirit in pupils.
“They are required to prepare a business plan, do research and build links with industry to gain sponsorship. Pupils gain first-hand experience in marketing and accounting, needing to provide a complete portfolio as part of the competition,” Du Plessis.
MD of Sangari South Africa, Bez Sangari said: “Registration for the programme is free for all schools in South Africa.
“What makes the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge different is that it has a comprehensive and inclusive learning approach.
“Pupils engage with subjects that improve their literacy, numeracy, sport and sports science, design and technology, art and design, textiles knowledge, STEM learning, computing, and business and enterprise,” said Sangari.
