Cayman is joining an international competition that spans more than 60 countries and challenges school students to design, build and race their own miniature Formula 1 cars.
The Cayman Motoring Federation, which is bringing the ‘F1 in Schools’ programme to Cayman, says it brings the excitement of Formula 1 racing into the classroom and gives students hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM.
Cayman International School, John Gray High School and Clifton Hunter High School will be the first schools to participate in the programme in spring next year. Before the summer of 2025, there will be a national competition between the schools to gain experience as they work their way to the regionals and then to the world finals held each November.
‘F1 in Schools’ launched in the UK in 1999 and has spread across the world.
Organisers say it “goes beyond being a competition – it’s a transformative experience that helps students develop essential life skills such as teamwork, project management, and problem-solving.”
Jane Scaletta, president of the Cayman Motoring Federation, which promotes motorsports, said in a press release that the programme offers “an exciting and accessible way for students to engage in STEM education”.
She added, “We are thrilled to provide this opportunity to Cayman’s youth, inspiring them to pursue careers in fields critical to our future.”
The three local schools that have signed up for programme have noted that ‘F1 in Schools’ provides a unique platform to inspire creativity and curiosity, while preparing students for careers in STEM.
Marcus Patterson of Clifton Hunter High School, who has taken on the role of in-country coordinator for the programme, said in the release, “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore STEM in a hands-on, dynamic way. We believe this program will ignite a passion for innovation and engineering that will serve them well into the future.”
The local programme is being sponsored and supported by Cayman Customs Automotive.
Ross Fortune, owner of Cayman Customs Automotive, said in the release, “Our hope is for the ‘F1 in Schools’ programme to foster the skills and interests of young Caymanians on the fast track to STEM success and provide inspiration to pursue careers in design, engineering or mechanics.
“It’s a great opportunity to invest in the future of our community by helping to shape the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.”
Each school can register up to three teams, with each team consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of six members.
The teams are assessed across a variety of areas, including car speed, engineering quality, brand identity and verbal presentation skills.
They race the miniature cars they have built themselves on an elevated, 65-foot-long track, powered by a power unit cartridge.
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