F1 in Schools finalists thank sponsors with race car presentation
‘Team Come and Go’ made the UK finals of the STEM competition thanks to support from CK International, Milliput, Automax and Menai Motorsports
Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor learners presented sponsors CK International Ltd and Milliput with models of the race car they designed for the F1 in Schools final.
‘Team Come and Go’, comprising engineering students from the Pwllheli Hafan campus, competed in the UK final earlier this year after their car was the fastest in the regional heats.
They finished a very respectable mid-table at the event in Rotherham, with a fastest time of 1.498 seconds just 0.281 seconds away from the professional division’s fastest car.
This would not have been possible without the generous support of their sponsors, including Pwllheli-based CK International, a leading supplier and distributor of tools for professional, industrial and consumer use, and Dolgellau-based international putty manufacturer Milliput.
Learners Osian, Liam, Jac J, Jack T, Evan, Jack R and Gethin recently invited Helen Halpin, CK International’s Director of Finance and Corporate Affairs, to the Hafan campus to present her with a copy of the race car they designed.
They also presented a copy of the race car to Milliput director Stephen Atherton, who visited the campus to present the students with their certificates for competing in the national final.
Team Come and Go was also sponsored by Automax and Menai Motorsports. The team themselves also raised money by 3D-printing and selling Christmas decorations, and brought in a further £700 from their GoFundMe page.
Emlyn Evans, engineering lecturer at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s Pwllheli and Dolgellau campuses, is programme leader for the college’s F1 in Schools scheme.
He said: “We are immensely appreciative of the support and sponsorship received this year for all our teams. Without the support of local companies such as CK Tools, Milliput, Automax and Menai Motorsports, the funding of this event would not have been possible.
“In addition the team raised over £700 on their GoFundMe website, which brought additional sponsorship from friends and family members of all those who had direct and indirect links to the team.
“We also thank all the sponsors who supported the teams at the regional competition: Deintyddfa Deudraeth, Victoria Inn, Cwmni Arian Cyf, Clogau Motors, Dyffryn General Stores, Cwt Cybi, MAC Fire and Security, Pacifier, WRM Fire and Security, Beatservices and Coleg Meiron-Dwyfor.”
He added: “We cannot thank the community enough for their kind donations. This allowed us to give our students the best opportunity to showcase their talents in such a prestigious competition, and we are extremely grateful for this.”
Team Come and Go are all studying the BTEC Level 3 Enhanced General Engineering course, and competed in F1 In Schools as part of their Unit 2 assignment - Delivery of an Engineering Project Safely as a Team.
Emlyn said: “It’s great to have the opportunity to have our students involved in such an engaging and rewarding project.
“The unit fits well with the F1 in Schools competition, as it involves our students using the skills they have acquired as part of the Level 3 Enhanced engineering course.
“This includes Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Additive Manufacturing, both part of the BTEC modules, while communication, presentation and social skills are developed as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate.”
Starting back in September, the teams designed their cars using CAD package Fusion 360, before manufacturing them on a CNC Denford milling machine.
At the North Wales heats at Denbigh Leisure Centre back in February, Team Come and Go won fastest car during the racing. They gained overall second place in the competition which comprised the racing, a verbal presentation to a panel of judges, the presentation of an engineering and design portfolio and the presentation of an enterprise portfolio.
This saw them qualify for the UK final in Rotherham, where they competed in two race sessions broadcast live by the F1 in Schools organisers on YouTube. These can be seen via the following links:
The team designed and built their own pit display, and had new hoodies made by Teejac Sports especially for their appearance on the national stage. As part of the competition, they also made a 10-minute presentation, had several interviews with marketing personnel in order to sell their concepts, and presented their design portfolios to engineers who scrutinised the car to tight technical standards.
All the students enjoyed the experience, and after finishing 22nd out of 32 teams they returned to college with enthusiasm to improve on this year's performance during next year's competition.
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