The finals of a nationwide design and engineering competition will be held in London this week at the BETT Educational Technology show. More than 300 schools have submitted entries to the National Jaguar F1 Team in Schools competition, but only one team can emerge victorious.

As well as catching the race, visitors to BETT will be able to try out the latest software and hardware resources (such as interactive whiteboards) and catch up on the Government’s policies for ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in education. Historically, the Department for Education and Skills has used the show as a platform for making announcements about ICT funding and policy.

The F1 challenge was set up to get kids interested in careers in engineering. Teams from across the UK and Ireland have designed and built carbon-dioxide-powered model race cars using CAD/CAM systems. The teams must present their ideas to a panel of judges, and then race their cars to see who will take the grand prize of tickets to the British Grand Prix. The winner will also move on to compete internationally.

Prizes will be awarded for the overall winner, winners in each age group, fastest car, best engineered car and best team sponsorship and marketing.

BETT will run from 12-15 January at London's Olympia exhibition centre. Entry is free. ®

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