F1 in Schools Displays School Hub Technology at the Mid-North Coast Innovation Festival

An exciting display of speed, design and innovation took place at the Mid-North Coast Innovation Festival on Friday 8th May as the REA F1 in Schools Technology Challenge team presented to local schools and business community in Taree. Hosted in the grounds of the Australian Technical College - Manning Valley Campus, the morning was of great interest to those attending who were along to get a better understanding of the program and the many benefits to be gained from being involved.

Federal Member for Lyne, Mr Robert Oakeshott MP addressed the audience saying he wanted to, "Show our local teachers, students and industry partners just how exciting and worthy this engineering program really is."

He went on to say, "This initiative is all about showing our school kids that there is an exciting career path within the engineering sector and giving them a taste of real, hands on design, manufacturing and marketing of a miniature F1 racing car and then be given the opportunity to race their F1 models at a national, and if successful, international level against other schools."

"This in schools initiative has been tried and tested in other regions with great results, largely because it addresses many of the school syllabus subjects such as, Graphics, Design and Technology and also regional industry priority sub sectors including Engineering, Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, Building and Construction and Auto, Marine and Defence Industries, so this program really is two‐fold in terms of its benefits to both school and industry alike," said Mr Oakeshott.

To assist on the day, veteran F1 in School Challenge students from Mount View High School, Cessnock in the neighbouring Hunter Region attended to share their experiences of being involved in the program, and raced both Minister Oakeshott and local industry people in the exhibition racing.

The F1 in Schools program will be available to Schools and Industry in the Mid-North Coast Region later this year.