F1 in Schools: BGS Cup

Prestigious STEM initiative

At BGS, we pride ourselves on providing our students with opportunities to engage in real-world learning experiences that not only challenge their intellect but also nurture their soft skills, which are essential for their future careers.

One such opportunity is the F1 in Schools program, a prestigious STEM initiative that has captivated the enthusiasm of our students since Term 1.

This year we have had an unprecedented number of students enroll so for the first time we have had to run an internal qualification competition.

More than 60 students in Years 7-9 registered for the inaugural BGS Cup with the aim to qualify to represent BGS at the State Finals in late October.

Our Year 7-9 students have been diligently working in teams, mastering the use of Fusion 360, a powerful CAD program. This tool has allowed them to design and engineer a 60-gram F1 racing car from scratch.

Each car, crafted with precision, was manufactured using Bolster wood, and featured a 3D-printed wing to enhance its aerodynamics.

But the journey didn’t stop at engineering. Students were also responsible for creating comprehensive portfolios that showcased their marketing strategies and graphic design skills.

This multifaceted approach ensured that every aspect of the F1 in Schools project was covered, from technical design to brand promotion.

Team roles were a critical component of the process, with each member taking on specific responsibilities:

Engineer: Focused on the technical design and performance of the car.

Team Manager: Oversaw the project’s progress and ensured team coordination.

Manufacturing: Leading the manufacturing process with precision.

Marketing and Branding: Crafted the team’s visual identity and promotional materials.

The students have not only developed technical skills but have also honed their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities — skills that are invaluable in any future career path.

This year’s BGS Cup saw fierce competition among the following teams:

NOVA – Professional Class (Reggie Cooke, Harvey Chernikeeff, Bill Wang and Thomas Zhuang)

AD ASTRA – Professional Class (Darsh Shah, Jack Tan, Ethan Davis and Gianlucca Stavros)

PULSAR – Development Class (Sam Hevey, Augie Dalidakis, Charles Williams and Isaac Rollason)

RACER – Development Class (Owen Riddex, Angus Stone, Yareed Mahmudul, Benjamin Shang and Silas Rack)

LIGHTSPEED – Development Class (Everett Quinert, Terry Ding and Luke Zheng)

Each team brought its unique strengths to the competition, but a few stood out, earning recognition in specific categories:

Branding Award: PULSAR

Knockout Award: RACER

Verbal Award: PULSAR

In the Development Class, PULSAR took home the Development BGS Cup, demonstrating exceptional skills and teamwork. The overall BGS Cup was awarded to AD ASTRA, a team that exemplified excellence in all aspects of the competition.

The F1 in Schools BGS Cup is more than just a race; it’s a testament to the hard work, creativity, and collaboration of our students. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing how these experiences shape their futures.

George Neophytou
F1 in Schools Coordinator