PUPILS from five schools worked in teams of four to design and manufacture a high-quality model Formula 1 car, powered by a cylinder of compact compressed air.
The youngsters were from Crickhowell Primary and High Schools, Llanbedr Church in Wales Primary School, Llangattock Church in Wales Primary School and Llangynidr Primary School.
Each team member had a role to play in the design and making of the car – Team Manager, Graphic Designer, Design Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer. The teams were able to test their cars during a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) F1 challenge Race Day Event, which took place on Thursday, November 23 at Crickhowell High School.
Each team prepared a presentation which they delivered on the day before racing their cars. A floor track was set up and co-ordinated by EESW/STEM representatives Chris Harris and Allister Dare-Edwards where pupils were able to start their cars using a system of lights just like the ones used on real F1 events.
Pupils needed to watch the lights and wait for them all to go out before they hit the button that released their car at high speed down the track.
Pupils’ reaction times in pushing the button to release the car were recorded along with the finish time to determine which cars were the fastest.
At the end of the event awards were presented for Fastest Reaction Time, Fastest Car and Best Designs and Presentations for each school.
Awards were also given for the Fastest Reaction Time and Fastest Car for the whole of the Crickhowell Cluster.