Ho Chi Minh City students line up for first F1 Grand Prix in Vietnam

The award-winning global educational initiative comes to Vietnam

On June 8, 2018, British International School (BIS) in Ho Chi Minh City successfully hosted the very first BIS Grand Prix. The event engaged both primary and secondary students aged 9-12 years old with the task to design and manufacture the fastest miniature F1 car possible, emulating the design and engineering processes employed by real F1 racing teams.

This inter-school competition was the first event of its kind in Vietnam, bringing together 60 students from 4 international schools around Saigon. F1 in Schools is the largest international STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) competition for schools. It challenges students to create their own Formula 1 team which is commissioned to design, construct, and race a 21cm long scale car model powered by a compressed air cylinder.

At the World Finals each team brings along a pit display, their cars, and a written portfolio, as well as a verbal presentation for the judges. The cars race on a 20-metre track, covering the distance in around one second.

The BIS Grand Prix imitated the F1 in Schools World Finals with students working in teams to design logos and branded t-shirts, manufacturing and racing their F1 cars and presenting their work to the judges with the chance to win one of five awards: First, Second, and Third Fastest Car, Best Team Identity, and Best Pit Display.

Greg Roberts, design and technology teacher and leader of F1 in Schools at BIS Ho Chi Minh City, stated at the event: “The BIS Grand Prix encouraged students to think outside the box, be creative, and take risks. They used their collaboration, communication, and leadership skills to apply their knowledge learned in the classroom to solve real-world problems, an essential skill in today’s competitive global labour market.”

BIS Ho Chi Minh City has been the only school to represent Vietnam in the F1 in Schools World Finals for four consecutive years. Nam Phong Racing, who led the BIS Grand Prix competition are the 2018 cohort of students attending the World Finals. This September they will be travelling to Singapore to compete against teams from around the world, all battling for the F1 in Schools World Champions title.

Jonathan Le, team and marketing manager of Nam Phong Racing, said, “F1 in Schools has undoubtedly given us insight to the real world of design, engineering, budgeting, and marketing and continues to give our team members invaluable experience in identifying our passions and shaping us to be collaborative, problem-solving, and innovative global citizens.”