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CompetitionSTEM Racing UK

STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools)

Teams design, make, test and race miniature F1-style cars and present their work to judges, from regional finals up to the World Finals.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked

At a glance

Run by
STEM Racing UK[1]
Who it’s for
School teams of 3 to 6 students; secondary classes for ages 11 to 19[2]
Cost
£100 + VAT a team (Development and Professional classes)[2]
Year groups
Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12, Year 13
Where
England, Scotland, Wales
Format
In person
Dates
to

Competing in F1 in Schools gives you a unique opportunity to develop key skills such as; communication, presenting and team work which will form the foundation of your future in any career path you choose to follow. Working in teams of between 3-6 students[2], you will follow the same processes real Formula One teams follow from your initial business plan through to your car design. You will be using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, data analysis using CFD and drag calculation software, Computerised Numerical Control (CNC) machinery to manufacture your car, and wind and smoke tunnels for testing. Finally you will race your car on our 20m F1 in Schools race track to see who has designed and manufactured the fastest car.

Sources

3 sources

  1. STEM Racing UK

    STEM Racing UK

    Students aged 9-19 collaborate in teams of 3-6.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  2. STEM Racing Ltd · 1 Jun 2026

    STEM Racing Competition Regulations 2026-2027 (Development & Professional)

    The Development and Professional Classes are open to students aged 11-19, in teams of 3-6.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  3. STEM Racing UK

    Upcoming events

    Regional Final Scotland: Primary Thursday 12 November 2026 ... National Finals: Secondary Wed, 17 Mar 2027 09:00 Thu, 18 Mar 2027

    Checked 14 October 2026

Details checked by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

More competition opportunities

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Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

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CompetitionSamsung UK

A free national tech-for-good competition and innovation programme. Students, alone or in teams of up to four, come up with a tech idea in one of three categories: Smarter Sport, Greener Future or Safer Online. Semi-finalists get mentoring and prototype funding before a national final in London.

Worth
Mentoring, work experience with Samsung, Samsung tech and a place on the Piccadilly Circus screen
Who
Students aged 11 to 18 at secondary schools and colleges across the UK and Ireland, alone or in teams of up to four
Deadline
Entries close on 18 January 2027; national final on 29 and 30 April 2027

Visit solvefortomorrowuk.com (opens in a new tab)Details: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

FIRST LEGO League Challenge

Open now

CompetitionThe IET (UK delivery partner)

Teams build and program a LEGO robot and work on an innovation project around the season's theme, then compete at regional tournaments.

Cost
From £285 a team; funding packages available
Who
Teams of up to 10 young people aged 9 to 16, through a school or youth group
When
Registration for the 2026-27 season is open; regional tournaments, then the UK final

Visit education.theiet.org (opens in a new tab)Details: FIRST LEGO League Challenge