F1 in Schools
Friday 1st July at Lutterworth College. 130 kids from seven local primary schools had formed twenty one teams to design and race a model Formula 1 racing car. Adopting all aspects of what makes up a professional racing team 
- design, manufacture, corporate image and marketing, the kids turned up with their CO2 fuelled balsa wood vehicle together with their design portfolio intent on impressing the judging team. A total educational process incorporating skills such as: numeracy, literacy, information & communication technology, problem solving and teamwork is at the heart of this event - plus a fantastic amount of fun and noise on the day.
Phil Ashton, Mike Dawes and Alwyn Ogden joined the judging team for the second year and they were again amazed at the quality of research, presentation and manufacturing skills employed by 10-11year old pupils.
Team Oblivion (Wycliffe Primary) 1st Prize; Team Racing Rockets (Gilmorton Primary) 2nd; Team Bullets on Fire (South Kilworth Primary) 3rd. Interestingly, the first two teams comprised all girls - future female engineers?
Rotary Club of Lutterworth Wycliffe – Young Designer Awards – 2011
This is the 21st year when The Rotary Club of Lutterworth Wycliffe has linked with Lutterworth College to stage the Rotary Young Designer Awards. Each year witnesses new materials and technologies being employed by GCSE and A level students to produce their examination pieces with imagination and innovation influencing our members who judge the entries. This year the awards go to:
First prize to Harry Kelsey for designing and manufacturing a re-cycling unit for use in primary schools. This is also a teaching aid to get children into the habit of re-cycling their used yoghurt pots, waste paper etc.
Second Prize to Lara Poynor for the imaginative use of textiles together with her quality of workmanship in creating a cocktail dress.
Third Prize to Sam Cross who displayed excellent workmanship in creating an innovative illuminated jewelry stand.
The three pupils will display their work at the Rotary District 1070 Young Designer of the Year finals to be held at Kettering on 25th June 2011.
Kids on the starting block.
Twenty Seven teams from seven primary schools involving around 135 kids assembled at Lutterworth College on 1st July 2010 to present and race their model Formula One cars. Designed and made by each team using CAD programmes, the balsa wood vehicles propelled by CO2 cartridges achieved amazing speeds along a twin lane track.The construction process incorporated a range of academic and practical skills as well as developing the children's presentational and teamwork abilities. The competition generated a lot of fun and noise on the day!
Wycliffe Rotary Club sponsored the event and provided the four judges.
The winning team, Blaze of Fire from Greenfield Primary School, Countesthorpe will now compete in the 'F1 in Primary Schools National Finals' later in the year.
July 2010.
