One of the UK’s largest STEM competitions, F1 in Schools, is set to return to its Yorkshire roots by hosting this year’s Lenovo UK National Final at the University of Leeds on June 29th – July 1st.
The three-day event will see over 50 teams competing for a place on the podium and winning a coveted space at the 2024 Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals. Founded in West Yorkshire in 2000, F1 in Schools has gained immense popularity in recent years, with over 500 schools and thousands of students from across England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales taking part annually. The challenge has also expanded internationally and is now active in 60 countries.
A not-for-profit organisation developed to promote STEM learning, the competition enables participants to 3D design, make, and race miniature F1 cars, alongside teaching wider subject areas, including project management and marketing. Covering an age range of 9 to 19 years, F1 in Schools is available to both primary and secondary schools.
• Over 500 students will take part in the three-day competition.
• Event will see F1 in Schools return to its Yorkshire roots.
• University of Leeds set to launch as an F1 in Schools Centre of Excellence at event.
This summer’s event will see the Secondary Class competing over the first two days, and the Primary Class will run over the final third day, with the winning teams assessed across a variety of areas – including car speed, engineering quality, brand identity, verbal presentation skills, and portfolio judging. The 2023 Lenovo UK National Final will also include the official launch of the University of Leeds as an F1 in Schools Centre of Excellence – joining the STEM organisation’s nationwide network of institutes which provide mentoring services and facility and equipment access to neighbouring schools.
F1 in Schools’ UK Project Manager Tom Milner comments:
“We’re so excited to be hosting this year’s event at the University of Leeds. One of the most prestigious universities in the UK, with a globally renowned School of Mechanical Engineering, it really will be a delight and an inspiration for the students to spend time there this summer.
“Plus, it’s brilliant for F1 in Schools to host its UK National Final in its local region. Yorkshire is home to some fantastic STEM companies, and what better way to celebrate all it has to offer than with an event committed to finding and inspiring our next generation of future engineers and pioneers?”
Neil Bressloff, Professor of Biomedical Engineering & Design at the University of Leeds continues:
“We were delighted to be asked to host the F1 in Schools UK National Final and for the School of Mechanical Engineering to establish an F1 in Schools Centre of Excellence. This is a fantastic opportunity to further enhance the University’s engagement with the local community and further afield.
“At Leeds, we are passionate about attracting more young people from under-represented groups to study STEM subjects at university, and we hope our collaboration with F1 in Schools will help us to realise this aspiration.”
Sally Martin, UK&I Senior Commercial Marketing Manager at Lenovo said:
“As title sponsor of F1 in Schools, Lenovo is thrilled to be part of this year’s National Finals at University of Leeds. Lenovo provides Smarter Technology for All, increasing access to technology across the globe, and cultivating interest in future STEM careers.”
A not-for-profit organisation developed to promote STEM learning, F1 in Schools enables participants to design, make, and race miniature F1 cars. Supported by Formula 1, the competition teaches a range of skills and subjects, including engineering, design, aerodynamics, and project management, and has gained immense popularity since its foundation in 2000.
Now active in 51 countries, over 17,000 educational institutions take part in F1 in Schools each year – competing regionally and nationally, with the best teams winning a place at the annual Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals. A proven route to automotive careers, many former F1 in Schools participants have progressed to roles within F1 and the motorsport arena, alongside wider STEM-related industries, including, NASA, Airbus, BAE Systems, and SpaceX.
