F1 Aerodynamics in Schools
Being a STEM
Ambassador, I keep check with what STEM enrichment activities are planned that
I feel I could support with my experience. I saw an “F1 Aerodynamics”
related request and it tickled my buds somewhat! So I vested my interest via
the formal portal/method to/with STEM and this was responded to.
What was the challenge? It is a global competition given
as per:
“The Competition - What's It All About?
You
are a Formula One™ team commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest
Formula One Car of the Future, powered by compressed air cylinders.”

Wow.
I would have loved to have had that opportunity at that age. Unbelievable!
Showing my age, a bit?! (my middle school had a BBC!)

What was involved? Without too much detail, the project
goes something like:
Form a team; Business and Sponsorship Plan; Design, using
3D CAD software; Analyse – aerodynamics, CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics);
Make using 3D CAM; Test, the aerodynamics are tested in wind and smoke tunnels;
Pit Booth; Scrutineering; Engineering Judging; Verbal Presentation; Portfolio Judging;
and Race!
I was amazed to see what is available these days
(hardware and software) for the students/kids and their understanding of it,
even now. Fair play respectively to designers and teachers for this.

NEGATIVE LIFT = DOWN FORCE (helps cars stick to the
road).
Seeing their understanding was brilliant to see (and that
I haven’t fully lost it, yet!).
Aerodynamics are used in many applications!
Aerodynamics are used in many applications!