Past Participants

Team: Aaron Hannon, Paul Flynn, Enda Flanagan, Robert Grimes

 

Paul Flynn: "The experience itself was unreal, was around the time of the air pollution and fires in Indonesia I think so when we got there there was a dead heat and you couldn't even see the sky. Some days the sky was fully orange and we were asked to wear masks (not unusual now!) in public one day when pollution was really bad. The resort itself was 5-star and teams had to be there at least a week for the competition. It was the coolest place I've ever been to, shops within walking distance as well and Universal Studies was there too. We were given a tour of Singapore as well and taken to really cool attractions like these gardens (can't remember the name of them) and something similar to the London eye. Met all the teams as well and they seemed sound! During the competition it was all go though, heads had to be screwed on for the 4-day event. From setting up the pit display during the intense 2-hour period, to going through our verbal presentation over and over again. Quizzing each other on our Pit Display and engineering knowledge. And then obviously the races were the most nerve-wracking times. I was on the button for it and it's a cool sort of pressure to be under. Luckily we did well.

Getting to see the night-race in Singapore was the best part, actually seeing F1 up close and personal. We got tickets for the Marina Bay Grand stand overlooking the Bay (definitely a cool picture to be found online) and also a walk-around ticket. We were up by turn 1/2 during Saturday's Quali.

The concerts at the end of each session were packed out - Jon Bon Jovi, Maroon 5 and Pharell Williams headlined.

Overall a brilliant 2 weeks out there, working with a team in that environment is unbelievable and it opened up plenty of doors in terms of opportunities in STEM."

Team: Orla McNabola, Stephen Hickey, Joe Dolan, Eoin Lyons, Conall Collins

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Orla McNabola: "I was a member of Tracktion and subsequently Irish-German team Pact Racing, who placed 7th overall and was awarded “Best Team Identity” at the F1 in Schools World Finals. Having gained the necessary communications skills through my F1 in Schools experiences, I have since broadcasted weekly Irish-language shows on Shannonside Northern Sound, Raidió Rí-Rá and DCUfm radio. Now a secondary school teacher, I hope to pass on to students the same experiences and enjoyment that I once felt throughout my participation in the F1 in Schools competition."

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Team: Omar Salem, David Deneher, Lucy Quinn, Tim Farrelly

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Omar Salem: "F1 in Schools has given me the experience and confidence to push myself past my comfort zone and continuously get involved with new projects and activities. The engineering skills that I have picked up through the competition have given me an edge over my peers in my first two years of university"

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Fm-1 Racing qualified for the World Finals in Singapore after finishing in 2nd place and winning the Best Engineered Car Award at the Irish National Final. They quickly found themselves as the talking point amongst their competitors and judges by integrating a live aquarium into their pit display to highlight the damage caused by plastic pollution in the ocean. With a quick car, quicker reactions and a strong engineering portfolio, they finished in the top third of world finalists. 

 

After the competition finished, they visited the Irish embassy in Singapore, watched parts of the grand prix from the roof of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, met F1 drivers in the paddock and went to A-list concerts to top off a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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Team: Ruth Conway, Sinead Kennedy, Alannah Curley, Bhagya Bowatte Gedara, Sean Fahy, Ciaran Connors

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Bagyha Bowette: "My journey with F1 in Schools was not just an unforgettable experience but it in fact it inspired me to study Engineering in NUIG. Without having the opportunity to compete in the competition, I would have never considered this as an option! I believe that F1 in Schools provides an insight into the various careers that can be explored through STEM. Most importantly, I truly trust that it can be an eye-openingexperience for girls hoping to create their own path in STEM, just as it did for me. In addition, thiscompetition allowed me to enhance my skills in public speaking, IT and teamwork to name a few, all of which will be used in my education and future career."

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