Institution news
Over 170 students came to the Institution’s Formula Student HQ at One Birdcage Walk in London for the annual Learn to Win event, with another 100 logging in to the live webinar from all around the globe.
Terry Spall, Chief Judge, opened the proceedings, and was followed by presentations from fellow judges and Institution representatives. A special guest presentation from Formula Student ambassador, Dallas Campbell, focused on using media to enhance the message that engineering is an amazing subject.
He told students from across the world: “Communicate your passion. Even the most complex idea has a simple explanation. We want to see the fun that you're having.”
Key elements of teams’ preparation for the 2015 event, which takes place provisionally 9-12 July, were outlined by Formula Student experts. In a series of morning lectures, they discussed design; cost and sustainability; business presentations; media; dynamics and scrutineering; MATLAB and Simulink; and project management.
There was an opportunity for the Institution to provide membership and careers information; and to outline rules updates and Formula Student awards and grants.
During the afternoon, students discussed their car designs with senior judges and officials, who offered their advice and tips in one-to-one drop-in sessions; while faculty advisors participated in a working group. There were also Mathworks sessions as well as mandatory media training running throughout the afternoon.
A number of judges and scrutineers highlighted the benefits of attending Learn to Win, explaining that it can give teams essential insight into their car’s development, and the strengths and weaknesses of their project.
Dan Jones, Chief Technical Engineer for Formula Student, commented: “Learn to Win is a fantastic opportunity to engage with both students and faculty advisors, giving direct advice and also receiving feedback on all aspects of the Formula Student competition.
“I was impressed by many of the questions asked on the day, which highlighted that most of the teams have already begun to think of inventive solutions to the recently published 2015 rules.”
Alastair Stevenson, Electric Vehicle Scrutineer, said: “Learn to Win offers student teams an opportunity to have their assumptions and ideas challenged. If they have a query, the seminars allow for an independent evaluation of their ideas. I certainly know a few teams that I’ll be going along to visit in the pit garages to see how they did after our conversations in the drop-in sessions.”
Howard Ash, a Scrutineer and Dynamics Volunteer, added that: “The event provides teams with important know-how and immediate feedback on their plans for the coming year.”
Many FS teams took part in Learn to Win via webinar, from universities within the UK and across the world, including newcomers from Nigeria and Germany. Among the teams taking part online were Cardiff University, University of Hull, University of Ulster, Karstadt University, Chalmers University of Technology, Cape Peninsula in South Africa and Norwegian UST.
Teams from Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Hertfordshire (UH Racing), University of Southampton (SUFST), University of Portsmouth (UP Racing) and University of Leeds were among those who travelled to London, and who tweeted their positive feedback about an informative and inspiring day.
Neill Anderson, Head Design Judge at Formula Student for over 10 years, said: “Formula Student is
one of those rare things where everyone involved wins. I believe strongly (enough to give up around five days’ leave every year) that it is vital that students gain some practical experience in how things are actually made. Formula Student teaches, by doing and understanding, that teamwork is not just a buzzword.”
How to get involved in Formula Student in 2015
Volunteering at Formula Student is a great way to give back to the engineering community and is an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded engineers.
Applications for Formula Student 2015 judges and volunteers open in the New Year. Visit our page on Formula Student to find out more about former judges and volunteers or to view comprehensive archive of profiles of those who have given their time and valuable experience supporting the event.
Visit Flickr to view more Learn to Win 2015 photos. If you have any queries or would like to be added to the Formula Student Judges and Volunteers mailing list, please contact formulastudent@imeche.org.