F1 in Schools seeks new headline sponsor!

F1 in Schools seeks new headline sponsor!

Dublin, 9^th June 2009. Following the success of another year, the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge is now on the hunt for a new headline sponsor. Honda’s headline sponsorship came to an end after four lucrative years with the competition due to the withdrawal of the Honda team from Formula One.  Commenting on the end of the four year partnership, Frank Kennedy Sales and Marketing Director for Honda said “Working closely with Irish Computer Society (ICS), we have seen the FI in Schools Technology Challenge grow in both entry numbers and standards.  It has been very rewarding to witness the enthusiasm of the teams representing their schools from all over Ireland; their commitment to their respective projects; their achievements; their team work and above all the obvious enjoyment and satisfaction experienced by all participants.”

Gillian Harty, Project Manager of the technology challenge commented “We regret to see the end of our partnership with Honda however we must now look forward to the new prospects and challenges ahead. We are seeking a new sponsor to take the naming rights of this competition. It has been a very busy and exciting year and we are now looking forward to next year’s competition!”

Team Blink from St. Ailbe’s School in Tipperary Town was declared the Overall Winners of the 2009 Honda-powered F1 in Schools Technology Challenge, at the National Finals held in Griffith College Dublin on 28^th April 2009.

Team Members Matthew Ryan, Olivia Breen, Daniel Bresnan, Nathan Dunne and Simon Ryan fought off fierce competition from 24 finalist teams from all over Ireland to claim the National Title and Trophy as well as the opportunity to represent Ireland next year in the 2010 World Championships.  The overall winners also shared €3,500 in prize money and each member received their own individual Xbox with and Xbox game.

“Over the years the entrants have grown in sophistication and both the Regional and National finals best illustrate the ingenuity and effort the Teams put in to reach these stages. The Discover Science & Engineering Programme is delighted to have been associated with the Competition over the past 3 years and would like to see it grow and develop further in the coming years,” observed Peter Brabazon, Director of Discover Science & Engineering.

This year, the 2008 National Champions team, Koni Kats will be travelling to London this September to compete at the World Championships against over 30 teams from around the globe.

Sean Clery, Design Engineer, commented “I would say that this was a life changing experience! It has given me focus and direction for future studies after school”. The 2009 F1 in Schools World Championships begins with a cultural exchange event with the students gathering to meet each other and exchange small cultural gifts at the IET headquarters in London. Three days of exciting competition precede a glittering awards ceremony and the crowning of the new World Champions. The action starts on Monday 14th September, with the awards event on the evening of Thursday 17th September.

Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society organisers of the challenge in Ireland, wished Koni Kats luck “We are delighted to see a talented team of students like Koni Kats representing Ireland at the World Championships in London this September and we wish them the best of luck!”

If your company is interested in partnering with the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge please call the F1 in Schools team on 016447820 or email f1@ics.ie.