Winnisquam Regional High School students prepare for F1 in Schools nationals competition

TILTON — Twenty students at Winnisquam Regional High School are preparing for a project-based competition focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math.

This integrated, project-based learning experience provides students a unique opportunity to not only learn through the design process but to apply their knowledge in a practical way and display their skills in competition. Students in the WRHS F1 in Schools class split into teams last fall. Each member chose a different team role and began developing important professional skills such as team management, marketing, aerodynamics, computer aided design, computer aided manufacturing and graphic design.

F1 in Schools teams are tasked with designing and engineering a model F1 car and marketing themselves as an F1 Team, with the ultimate goal to compete in the international F1 in Schools STEAM competition.

Model F1 cars must comply with a vast and complicated set of design specifications. Powered by CO2 cartridges, they are raced on a 66-foot-long track, earning team points for the fastest time and quickest driver reaction.

Teams must also create a series of project elements for competition, including a Pit Display, several work Portfolios, and an oral presentation for a panel of industry experts and racing professionals.

Winnisquam Regional High School has four F1 in School teams: Team STS Aerospace Juno, Team Cosmic-Raycing by Grappone Honda, Team Hydra and Team Mercury. WRHS teachers Dr. Christopher Foster and Kevin VanGorden have worked together to get the F1 In School program off the ground.

These teams will compete locally against Laconia High School’s F1 in Schools teams; at least one WRHS team will go on to compete in the F1 in Schools-North America National Finals this April in Charlotte, North Carolina.

WRHS team marketing managers have been actively seeking sponsorships to raise the funds needed for competition, including car materials, team uniform shirts, pit display materials, portfolio printing, travel expenses and registration fees. The estimated cost for competition is approximately $5,500 per team.

“It has been fascinating to see how the students and the class have evolved in its first year. Students are learning in a way they didn’t know they could before,” VanGorden said. “There is a realness to the class, that the work they put into it directly relates to how well the team does. Students can express themselves in their work and create a team identity. They have accepted the challenge of presenting their work to companies in order to gain sponsorship, taking it with a seriousness I had never seen from some of them. I am proud of the work they have demonstrated so far this year. The next challenge is raising enough money to get to nationals, a challenge that our students are striving for.”

For more information or to sponsor a team, contact cfoster@wrsdsau59.org or kvangorden@wrsdsau59.org.