DHAHRAN DOMINATES SAUDI F1 IN SCHOOLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Dhahran teams take first and fourth place in the exhilarating competition at Ithra
Dhahran emerged victorious in the Saudi leg of the F1 in Schools National Championships powered by Aramco, with teams securing first and fourth places at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, also known as Ithra, over the weekend.
The 2024 national champion title was claimed by Dhahran’s Shaheen, followed by Al-Ahsa’s Venture in second place, Riyadh’s Clad in third place, and an additional fourth place awarded to Dhahran’s Oryx for the first time.
Ithra’s Great Hall was transformed into an immersive hub on Saturday, with the focus on Formula 1 continuing until July 13. (AN photos)
These winners will represent Saudi Arabia in a global competition set to take place in the Kingdom later this year.
The F1 in Schools competition is a globally recognized educational program that challenges students to design, build, and race miniature F1 cars with this year’s theme being “Overtake the Impossible.”
Maha Abdulhadi, head of F1 in Schools at Ithra, highlighted, “With a shared commitment to serving as an incubator of education and youth empowerment, Ithra and F1 in Schools offer young people the knowledge and experiential spaces to develop their ambition and skills to create a bright future for themselves and their country.”
HIGHLIGHTS
• The F1 in Schools competition is a globally recognized educational program that challenges students to design, build, and race miniature F1 cars.
• Participating students, aged 15-16, were expected to use a STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art and math) learning program.
“We are excited to host these promising young students, their families, and visitors from across the country as the competition shifts gears.”
Ithra’s Great Hall was transformed into an immersive hub on Saturday, with the focus on Formula 1 continuing until July 13. (AN photos)
The Great Hall at Ithra was converted into a pulsating hub on Saturday, with the Formula 1 theme captivating the audience until July 13.
Eight simulators allowed individuals over the age of 15 to experience driving an F1 vehicle in real-time. Additionally, a VR experience provided visitors with an authentic taste of high-speed action.
Students erupted in cheers as they witnessed themselves on screen during a “Day in the Life of F1 in Schools” video segment.
Ithra’s Great Hall was transformed into an immersive hub on Saturday, with the focus on Formula 1 continuing until July 13. (AN photos)
The ceremony also honored trainers and judges from around the world, along with local judges.
Students from various schools collaborated in groups over the past six months, crafting prototypes under the guidance of 38 professionals.
The participating students, all aged 15 or 16, were tasked with utilizing a STEAM-based learning program integrating science, technology, engineering, art, and math, fostering a blend of hard and soft skills.
Ithra’s Great Hall was transformed into an immersive hub on Saturday, with the focus on Formula 1 continuing until July 13. (Photo/Yasir Alqunais)
Students delved into various topics from physics and aerodynamics to design, manufacturing, branding, and graphics. They also received lessons in marketing, leadership, social media utilization, and financial strategy creation.
This year witnessed 120 students divided into 20 teams, each operating from a local hub. The cities of Dhahran, Al-Ahsa, Riyadh, Jeddah, and Madinah made a return, with Abha joining for the first time.
To showcase Ithra’s dedication to local culture, folk dancers from the six represented cities performed together on stage, while images of students engrossed in their F1 projects adorned the background.
Ithra’s Great Hall was transformed into an immersive hub on Saturday, with the focus on Formula 1 continuing until July 13. (Photo/Yasir Alqunais)
In 2021, Ithra initially collaborated with F1 in Schools and has since organized the national level competition in Saudi Arabia, establishing learning hubs across the Kingdom to facilitate student training and development as part of the F1 challenge.
The inaugural F1 in Schools national finals were hosted by Ithra in 2023, featuring 16 competing teams.
Andrew Denford, the founder and chairman of F1 in Schools, highlighted that girls comprised 68 percent of the participating students at that time. Three teams proceeded to represent Saudi Arabia at the world finals in Singapore, with Dhahran’s Oryx team securing the Innovative Thinking Award.
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture. (Photo/Yasir Alqunais)
A significant number of girls also partook in the competition this year, contending for 12 awards in categories ranging from fastest car and verbal presentation to sustainability.
In line with Ithra’s promotion of recycling, workshops produced car molds by melting plastic bottle caps in a designated lab. Molds tailored for F1 in Schools will be available throughout the week.
Under the library’s escalator, a car composed of 90 percent recycled or repurposed components, including 5,000 water bottles, steel, and acrylic sheets, was showcased. It took approximately 12 individuals around 1,500 hours to craft the 120 kg vehicle.
The 10-day event series will feature interactive activities, a paper car-making workshop, a mixed reality pit garage, a car Lego station, and discussions with F1 experts.
Addressing the award ceremony, David Howes, director of communication and events for F1 in Schools, expressed, “Having been involved with F1 Esports since 2004, I’ve seen our global community expand from four countries to 62 today. It is a privilege to be in Saudi Arabia, witnessing not only a national title but also a world-class event and witnessing world-class teams compete.”
The fourth edition of Formula 1 in Schools is now open for applications. Eligible students can apply through the Ithra website, where a comprehensive schedule of this week’s activities is also accessible.