FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 14, 2011
CONTACTS: Tiffany Woods, RCPS Public Relations Director
tdwoods@rcps.info ; Tel: 540 853-2905
Chris Morris, Advisor, (540)853-2351, Email: cmorris@rcps.info

Patrick Henry Student Competes for a Second F1 in Schools World Title

Patrick Henry student Niemann Pest, will be leaving tomorrow along with his team members and advisor Chris Morris to defend their title in Malaysia at the Formula One in Schools World Finals. Pest has been preparing over the summer with his fellow world championship team Unitus Racing team members to travel half way around the world for the highly competitive, technical competition. Pest is the only RCPS student on the team; the other members are high school students from Bradenton, Florida. Last September in Singapore, the team topped 23 other teams from 17 different countries to capture a win for the United States. Now Unitus Racing is in the unprecedented position of being able to return to the F1 In Schools World Finals for the second year in a row. Teams qualify to attend the prestigious F1 In Schools World Finals by finishing top in their country.

F1 In Schools is an international event for middle and High School students to design and manufacture identical, miniature, CO2-powered balsa wood F1 race cars. In addition to the design and manufacture of the cars, the team must present a 10 minute verbal presentation, undergo a 30-minute engineering interview and design and construct a large display. The F1 In Schools program seeks to engage students through hands on learning with particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

The team will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia tomorrow, Thursday, September 15, 2011 for several intense days of competition. Students representing 24 Formula One In Schools teams from 18 nations will convene for the event.

Funding for the Unitus Racing F1 In Schools World Finals participation is provided by partnerships with Lockheed Martin, Advance Auto Parts, Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County, Manatee County Schools Adult, Career & Technical Education grant funding, Boca Bearings, Rapid Prototyping Services, BASF Chemicals, JBTN Plastics, Mosaic, Orthodontic Specialists, Trimbach Artistry and Bay Tool.

For more information please refer to these links:
http://www.f1inschools.com/
http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/9/11284.html
http://www.unitusracing.com

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