Student’s Team Captures Formula One in Schools World Title in Singapore

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Mark Nanney, a Florida Institute of Technology freshman in mechanical engineering, is a member of the Unitus Racing team of six, primarily from Southeast High School in Bradenton, Fla., that captured the Formula One (F1) in Schools World Championship in Singapore on Sept. 25. The event culminates Nanney’s team effort while at the high school.

Five students from Southeast High School in Bradenton, Fla., and a student from James Madison Middle School in Roanoke, Va., took the coveted title after three days of intense competition at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Institute in Singapore. The Unitus Racing team was one of 25 teams from 18 countries competing for the world title.

Unitus Racing also won the award for “Best Team Identity” and was nominated for “Best Portfolio” and “Best Sponsorship & Marketing.”

“This is the result of four long years of hard work and goal setting that really paid off,” said Nanney, Unitus Racing manufacturing engineer and 2010 Southeast graduate.

The students designed, manufactured and raced identical CO2-powered balsawood race cars, gave an eight-minute verbal presentation, defended the manufacture of their cars, passed technical inspection, designed a pit display and prepared a 20-page portfolio detailing their work. The 25-plus judges concurred that Unitus Racing had the most consistent presentation in all areas.

The Southeast team won the F1 in Schools National Championship July 2 in Baltimore, Md., assuring them the chance to compete this year in Singapore.

Unitus Racing is sponsored by Lockheed Martin; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County; Advance Auto Parts; Manatee Adult, Career and Technical Education Department; City of Roanoke Schools; Rapid Prototyping Systems; BASF Chemicals; JBTN Plastics; Trimbach Artistry; Bay Tool; Royal Tee’s; Bradenton Press; and Signs by Tomorrow as well as many in-kind donations.

F1 in Schools is a global educational program that aims to change perceptions of engineering by creating a fun and exciting learning environment for young people ages 11 to 19. The program seeks to develop students who look toward career paths in science, engineering, marketing and technology.

For more information, send e-mail to: margi29@aol.com. More results and video of the event are posted on the website: www.f1inschools.com.