Mrs Lee's Science students have been building and racing their own gravity propelled car in preparation for a forthcoming challenge, entry to the "F1 in Schools' competition.

F1 in Schools Ltd is a not-for-profit company established to provide an exciting educational experience for young people through the appeal of Formula One. The aim is to change perceptions of Engineering, Science and Technology by creating a fun learning environment; this will help young people to develop an informed view about careers in these fields.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our students", said Mrs Lee, our STEM Co-ordinator. "The competition is not just about building a fast car; students learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, sponsorship, marketing, teamwork and financial strategies, and apply them all in a practical way. They must prepare a business plan, collaborate with local businesses and develop an effective marketing strategy, as well as delivering a presentation to a panel of judges. It will be a challenge but I am confident our students will do well."

Mrs Lee has now launched the F1 Lunchtime Club for the teams who will be entering the competition next year. To get some initial ideas, she also arranged for them to attend the 2012/2013 Regional Final at Newcastle University Business School, which took place on February 12th. Students returned from the trip brimming with ideas.