By Natalie Gallenti
WHILE the grand prix has well and truly come and gone, students at Keilor’s Catholic Regional College are still in the midst of Formula One fever.
And Year 8 student Michael Simiele is no exception.
The 14-year-old is among 30,000 students across the country to take part in the state of the art project which asks them to create a model Formula One car and a team to co-ordinate sponsorship. The greatest car and team will be judged the winning team later this year.
The project requires investigation and research, design, testing and production of a model car able to race in the state finals and possibly national and world championships.
Michael, who participated in the program last year also, said he enjoyed communicating and collaborating with the community.
The motivated youngster said he had made important links within the community and his interaction skills had improved dramatically.
So dedicated are he and his fellow group members, that they spend most lunch times in the computer room, researching and designing the car.
“It can get stressful, but it’s a fun competition,” he said.
“I really like to have a big input into it and that’s why I don’t mind spending so much time on it.”
Co-ordinator of Technology Frank Bieshaar said the knowledge the children were gaining through the project was immeasurable.
“It’s just like a Formula One team. A lot of dedication and commitment goes into it,” he said.
