Southeast High’s World Championship Unitus Racing’s Third Place Finish Sets Record At Formula One In Schools World Finals In Malaysia
The defending 2010 F1 in Schools World Championship Unitus Racing team from Southeast High School in Bradenton, Florida, USA, has become the first team in the history of F1 in Schools to gain two podium finishes. The team won the world title a year ago in Singapore and finished in third place overall at the 2011 event on September 21st in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The competition is in its 11th year.
Unitus Racing was only seven points away from winning the first place award again. An Australian team won the first place Bernie Ecclestone Trophy with second place awarded to a team from Germany. A total of 24 teams from 18 countries competed at the competition.
Lockheed Martin Sr. Communications Manager Gary Cambre said, "Our Corporation has been proud to sponsor the Unitus F1 in Schools team, because this completion helps inspire local students to excel in math, science and engineering."
Unitus Racing had the 4th fastest car in time trials and the design and engineering were deemed tops by a panel of judges from all over the world. The team delivered a flawless verbal presentation and garnered top points for their pit display and printed materials.
"We have been up against some really strong teams but our preparation over the past year really paid off," stated Southeast senior and Unitus Team Manager Amanda Clark.
According to the United Kingdom’s Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools, "Never before has the same team stood on the podium two times. Unitus Racing has done that two years in a row with a world championship and a third place finish among the best and brightest students in the world. They have done an outstanding job representing the USA on the world stage. These students represent the next generation of entrepreneurs and engineers."
F1 In Schools is an international event for middle and High School students to design and manufacture identical, miniature, CO2-powered balsa wood F1 race cars. Unitus’ cars traveled down a 60’ track at just over a second. In addition to the design and manufacture of the cars, the team must present a 10 minute verbal presentation, undergo a 30-minute engineering interview and design and construct a large display.
The F1 In Schools program seeks to excite students through hands on learning with particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In the USA these programs are being emphasized as a way to revitalize our commitment to strengthen the pillars of American innovation and competitiveness – basic research in the physical sciences and math and science education.