XCL World Academy’s XCLerate Racing Team was the only school from Singapore to participate in the F1 in Schools World Finals 2023.
As a forward-thinking international school, XCL World Academy (XWA) is committed to preparing its students for success in our ever-changing world. Through innovative teaching methods and cutting-edge resources, XWA employs a future-oriented approach to education, equipping students for what lies ahead.
One of the many progressive teaching approaches that XWA emphasises is design thinking. This approach is integrated into its faculty’s teaching practice to nurture essential skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity among students. This way, the school equips students with the ability to analyse complex issues and approach challenges with a well-rounded perspective.
But that’s not all, XWA also provides students with a range of opportunities to develop their 21st century skills and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. This year, XWA supported its students’ initiative to join the global F1 in Schools competition, where students design and race miniature Formula 1 cars.
Introducing XCLerate Racing Team, XWA’s representative for F1 in Schools
Participating in the F1 in Schools competition offers an exciting and enriching experience, not only for prospective engineers and Formula 1 fans but also for students of all backgrounds. They gain hands-on experience in engineering and design, market research and business planning, marketing, finance, teamwork, and, of course – racing! Endorsed by Formula 1, this industry-linked programme can also connect students with professionals from various fields and could even provide potential career opportunities.
Though not everyone in XWA’s XCLerate Racing Team was an F1 fan or had career plans in engineering, they’re all passionate about design, technology, and entrepreneurship. Each of the six team members has their own strengths, and F1 in Schools competition gave them a chance to see what it’s like to be part of a multidisciplinary team.
XCLerate Racing Team was split into two major divisions: Engineering and Enterprise. Both divisions are led by Team Leader David FL, who’s responsible for overseeing the entire competition process. Sindy (aka Luwen) handled the team’s enterprise operations as Project Manager. Lina acted as the team’s Graphic Designer and Social Media Manager, whereas public relations was handled by David VP. On the engineering side, there was Simon (aka Maosheng), who specialised in aerodynamics, and Mark (aka Wenqi), who was the Manufacturing Engineer and Designer.
We had a chat with the team to find out what it’s like to work together and represent their school at the F1 in Schools competition.
Hey team, how did you come up with the design concept for your miniature F1 car, and how did you create it?
Our designer drew inspiration from real F1 cars, as well as the elegant form of an ice cream. This resulted in a bodywork that effortlessly slices through the air. We also integrated the ground effect to ensure our car maintains a strong grip on the track, eliminating any chance of it becoming airborne.
For car design and production, we used the Fusion 360 software, Autodesk CFD, and computer numerical control machining techniques. Our choice of materials included nylon carbon fibre, high-density foam, and resin 3D printing. The latter is an advanced form of rapid prototyping technology. As such, our Engineering division had to undergo a learning curve to acquire proficiency in these innovative forms of advanced manufacturing and software practices to successfully produce the car.
Sounds challenging! Are there any other challenges you faced in this project?
When it came to car production, our primary adversary was time. We needed to master the art of time management to successfully wrap up the project within a tight four-month timeframe, compared to the one-year timeframe other teams usually have. We also had to factor in two months of school vacation when all of us were abroad. There were also some rather “passionate” discussions within the team that cost us a lot of time. So, we had to learn how to communicate more efficiently.
There’s also the challenge of using a new resin printer for the car’s 3D-printed parts. Our initial batch of parts was deformed, so we had to go through a series of experiments to fine-tune the printer settings. Nevertheless, this experience deepened our understanding of the manufacturing process.
Another significant hurdle we faced was obtaining essential funding and support from external sponsors. As this was our first time seeking such sponsorship, we relied on the assistance of our school community to secure the necessary sponsors. The school marketing team provided us with guidance and insights in carrying out effective stakeholder communication.
What did you learn from these setbacks?
One of the most significant lessons we learned is the crucial importance of rigorous testing. This will be the focal point for us in the coming year. We also learned an important lesson in maturity and open-mindedness from our “passionate” discussions. Sometimes, you need to take a step back and be more receptive to others’ perspectives.
We’re grateful for the valuable insights gathered from other teams, too. For example, we realised the benefits of conducting sponsorship drives to approach potential sponsors in person. This can streamline the process of securing support.
You mentioned a lot about securing funding and sponsorship. How did the team manage the budget for this project?
We maintained an ongoing and interactive dialogue with XWA’s finance team, while simulating various project scenarios and cases at the same time. We also established a shared balance sheet to monitor all cash flows within the project.
Sounds intense! How did you manage the demands of this project and your studies?
That’s another challenge. We had to seek permission from our teachers to join the competition and fulfil obligations to our sponsors, while simultaneously working on school assignments. To manage this, we scheduled weekly meetings to coordinate our efforts and meet the rigorous demands of the International Baccalaureate curriculum. There were also instances where we had to extend our school hours well into the evening to meet project deadlines.
You mentioned working with XWA’s finance and marketing teams earlier. How else did the school community support the team? And how about your parents?
Our teachers were there to provide guidance whenever we encountered challenges. Their support was especially evident when we had tight deadlines, and we could rely on them to assist us in completing essential tasks. A good example is the rapid construction of the pit display frame, which happened just days before the competition.
Our parents played a significant role as well, not just financially but emotionally. Their support was vital in helping us overcome the challenges we faced throughout the project. It was profoundly satisfying to have them attend the World Finals to witness our achievements, especially because we managed to accomplish so much in such a short span of time.
Last but not least, the larger school community supported us greatly. This includes our schoolmates’ parents, many of whom enthusiastically participated in our ‘reaction time’ test during one of our whole-school events. It helped raise awareness about our project and revealed hidden talents within the parent community. Some of them even expressed a keen interest in sponsoring our team, thereby fulfilling our sponsorship requirements for the World Finals.
That’s so wholesome. Now, more on the competition itself – were there any great memories you’d like to share?
It felt so great to be able to exchange experiences and stories with teams from across the globe. It’s a remarkable opportunity to learn about the unique journeys of other teams leading up to this competition. We also got to visit the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Grand Prix track and pit lane. The tifosi in our team went crazy over the Ferrari pit stop practices!
So cool! We are pretty sure you guys gained a lot of valuable experience and learnings through F1 in Schools.
For sure, and it went beyond just acquiring technical knowledge. We gained insights into effective communication within a team, the ability to perceive failure as a chance to learn, as well as perseverance.
During this project, our team learned the importance of working with different individuals and making necessary adjustments for the project’s success. Initially, many team members were not very proactive in their communication, but the competition encouraged us to take the initiative. This was a valuable lesson that we might have struggled to learn independently.
Aside from that, perseverance and being able to embrace failure as a learning opportunity are qualities that are fundamental for anyone pursuing engineering or design-related disciplines.
How does this F1 in Schools experience benefit the team’s education and future career aspirations?
Being involved in the F1 in Schools competition has definitely equipped us all with essential skills and firsthand experiences. This is especially useful for four of our team members who will be graduating this year. They all have a clear vision of their university and career aspirations in mechanical engineering, architecture, and product design. Some of the skills we learned include expertise in various computer-aided design programmes, manufacturing techniques, and effective communication with stakeholders.
As for our younger team members, this experience has solidified their commitment to pursuing engineering in their future endeavours. We feel that the overall experience will undoubtedly enhance our future success in whatever field we choose to pursue.
Thank you so much for sharing with us, XCLerate Racing Team! We wish you guys all the best!
Interested to see how your child can thrive in this school of the future? You can book a personal tour to check out XCL World Academy today!
This post is in partnership with XCL World Academy.