Posted on: Friday 23 June 2023
Pupils from a school in Pontypool will represent Wales at the finals of a UK competition to design and drive a model Formula One racing car.
Year 4 pupils and staff from Garnteg Primary School formed their own Formula One race teams for the day to design, assemble, test and race a model car made from card, powered by a 4gm compressed gas cylinder on a 24-meter track.
The teams had to overcome a number of challenges, such as making their model car the fastest on the track, designing merchandise and budgeting.
The fastest car of the day award went to The Power Ladies team, whose model car travelled the 25-meter track in an impressive 1.672 seconds.
Pupil Mila was part of the team and said: “I was shocked by the noise but the overall day was amazing! I enjoyed learning about the aerodynamics of a car Can I say well done all teams! “
Evie, who was part of Team Rocket, said: “I loved seeing all the cars race down the track, it was so fun, the cars were so fast! I enjoyed learning about the different forces and that all needed to be correct for the car to work”
Charlie, from the Cute Frenchies team, said: “I was surprised how powerful the launch of the cars was. I liked using the tools to bend and make my car”.
The school has gone on to win a number of awards at the Welsh regional heats and will go on represent Wales at the final of the F1 STEM competition in Leeds on Saturday 1 July.
Mrs Susan Roche, Headteacher at Garnteg Primary School, said: “I am very pleased with our school's recent achievement. Seeing the team and students' hard work and perseverance pay off at the regionals and us now off to the final in Leeds makes me incredibly proud.”
“I want to express my deep admiration and gratitude towards them. Their determination and tireless efforts have rightfully earned them a huge congratulations from me on a job well done.”
The F1 STEM competition has been running in schools has been 1999 and aims to promote science, technology, engineering and maths in education.
It’s just one of the ways the school aims to provide a varied and diverse education which has helped improve attendance rates.