F1 Mahle School Challenge Races Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Careers to Popularity
Classrooms were brought to life this week, as the MAHLE School Challenge, “F1 in SchoolsTM”, threw down the gauntlet to learners to contextualise their learnt theories and data. Bringing this knowledge to life, in a creative, engaging and problem-solving project of designing and engineering scaled cars to be judged, on a multitude of categories and raced to exhilaration, was the reason for all the excitement and enthusiasm.
MAHLE BEHR is one of the largest automotive parts manufacturers in the world, driving the future of engineering stars. They realise this goal through their innovatory approach and their partnership with the likes of the NGO, the ‘Centre For The Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education’ (CASME).
‘The world’s most exciting Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) based educational project’, unfolded at The Pavilion Shopping Centre, on Thursday 22 August and Friday 23 August.
The challenge consisted of Grade 7 learners designing and engineering scaled cars, in paper, and Grade 9 learners, in composite. Learners competed in teams of six, with a team manager, engineer, manufacturing engineer, designer, sponsorship member and marketing member.
The cars were manufactured in Johannesburg and were judged on the categories of ‘Specifications and Scrutineering’, ‘Design and Engineering Portfolio’, ‘Enterprise Judging’, ‘Verbal Presentation and Marketing’, ‘Racing’ and ‘Group Work’.
“The competition was nail-biting and the teams went all out in their scaled car designs, with high-class engineering and acute attention to detail. MAHLE BEHR couldn’t be prouder of every learner who competed, including all our Science2Go school teams from our fenceline communities. Congratulations and celebrations, the future is so bright, with all your talent leading the way,” says Jolene van Heerden, MAHLE BEHR SA Communications Manager.
Prizes included trophies and medals, tech gear, tog bags, headphones, stationery and more.
Winners In The Primary School (Grade 7) Paper Category Included:
- Highest Score 1st place – X-Cellar 8 (Hillcrest Primary School)
- Highest Score 2nd Place – Whiplash (Hillcrest Primary School)
- Highest Score 3rd Place – Speed Demonz (Thomas More)
- Fastest Car –X-Cellar 8 (Hillcrest Primary School)
- Best Engineered Car – Whiplash (Hillcrest Primary School)
- Highest score in Team Identity, Sponsorship, Marketing Research and Design Portfolio – X-Cellar 8 (Hillcrest Primary School)
- Judges Choice For The Most Expended Effort – Speed X (Berea West)
- Best Pit Design – X- Cellar 8 (Hillcrest Primary School)
- Verbal Award for The Best Presentation – Speedy 6 (Resmount Primary School)
Winners In The High School (Grade 9) Composite Category Included:
- Highest Score 1st place – Queen Proteas (PMB Girls High School)
- Highest Score 2nd Place – Power Glide (Inanda High School)
- Highest Score 3rd Place – Team Ellie (PMB Girls High School)
- Fastest Car – Sixth Gear (Oakridge College)
- Best Engineered Car – Power Glide (Inanda High School)
- Highest score in Team Identity, Sponsorship, Marketing Research and Design Portfolio – Queen Proteas (PMB Girls High School)
- Judges Choice For The Most Expended Effort – Xmiles (Tholulwazi High School)
- Best Pit Design – Queen Proteas (PMB Girls High School)
- Verbal Award for The Best Presentation – Team Ellie (PMB Girls High School)
Van Heerden went on to say “Through the MAHLE School Challenge, we have sparked an interest in science, technology, engineering and maths and with the objective of developing the science leaders of tomorrow.”
The MAHLE School Challenge, F1 in SchoolsTM, would like to recognise and thank their partners of CASME, eThekwini Municipality, The Pavilion Shopping Centre, Wesbank, Vodacom and Young Engineers who made the competition possible.
For further information on MAHLE F1 Schools Challenge visit www.mahle-f1schoolschallenge.co.za.
X-CELLAR 8
QUEEN PROTEAS