Gold Coast Christian College school takes on F1 School’s STEM Challenge

Gold Coast secondary students are studying into the night thanks to one of the world’s most competitive school competition developing a working race car. SEE VIDEO OF THEIR ENTRY

GOLD Coast secondary students are studying into the night thanks to the world’s most competitive school competition.

Aspiring business leaders and engineers at taking part in the F1 School’s STEM Challenge for which they have to develop a working CO2 race car and compete against 17,000 other schools world wide.

Gold Coast Christian College has two teams set to race in the national finals.

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Students from Grade 9,10 and 11, including Ali Savage, 15, and Taine Stevens, 15, cheer their cars down the track. Picture Glenn Hampson

College principal Guy Lawson said he was astonished at the commitment of students.

“We keep our rooms open to 7.30pm so students have time to work on their projects,” he said.

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The balsa wood cars are fitted with CO2 canisters which propel them down a 20 metre track, guided by wire tether.

The current world record is 0.916 seconds and was set in 2016 by Australian students.

Using real-world engineering software, the students also learn to code and problem solve.

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It’s no worries for these kids to stay back and check how fast their cars go. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Mr Lawson said the school had been searching for a STEM project with “real depth” when they found the program.

Christian College also has a wind tunnel on campus so students can learn about the aerodynamics and test their cars.

Mr Lawson said those who have other strengths are also part of the teams.

“We have students who work as project managers or other business students who go out into the community and secure sponsorship,” he said.

Year 9 student Caed Wilson, a chief engineer for his team Dark Matter Racing, said the program had inspired him to pursue a career in mechanical engineering.

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“It has been good working with kids from different grades and working with them — our car is pretty much a mimic of a formula one car now.

Caed’s team had already made in through the state finals and he said he was looking forward to taking on Australia’s best in the nationals.

“We are pretty excited and have been working hard to make it happen,” he said.

The national finals will take place on March 11-15 at the Bosch headquarters in Clayton, Victoria.