Velocity Racing is one of two all-female Scottish teams heading out to represent the UK at the International F1 in Schools STEM Challenge 2018 final this September in Singapore. The Velocity Racing team will be representing Scotland in the world final, while the Accelerace team will represent Britain.

The purpose of the competition is to help change the perceptions of science, technology, engineering and maths by creating a fun and exciting learning environment. The challenge hopes to help young people to develop an informed view about careers in engineering, Formula 1, science, marketing and technology.

Meet the Team

The Velocity Racing team is made up of Chloe Adam (Team Manager), Beth Lewis (Graphic Designer), Amy Shaw (Design Engineer), Nicole Mulrainey (Marketing and Resource Manager), Megan Cleaver (Design Engineer) and Katie Saunders (Manufacturing Engineer).

The girls are aged between 15 to 16 and are all students at Inveralmond Community High School in Livingston. Velocity Racing hopes to bring home the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge trophy to Scotland on behalf of all young Scottish engineers, moreover, they want to encourage more girls to get into STEM.

DIGIT had the opportunity to sit down with the girls ahead of the final to discuss the competition, their motivation and their journey as a team.

Can you tell us a bit about the competition?

Nicole: “The competition is centred around designing, testing and manufacturing a model formula one car which we race against other teams. As well as all of the engineering work we must also complete several enterprise-related tasks.”

Amy: “Each team also must design and write folios, build and manufacture a pit display, and create a social media and marketing strategy. All this has to be done whilst we raise our own funds to compete.”

What has been the biggest challenges so far?

Nicole: “At the beginning, we didn’t all know each other and some of us were in different years at school. Poor communication meant we missed task deadlines and we weren’t able to identify when a team member was struggling with their workload. But we’ve resolved that now.”

Chloe: “If I was to tell you that we were amazing at communication I’d be lying, but we have worked on it a lot and have gotten so much better.”

Megan: “Well, for me it was working with software Fusion 360, which is used for modelling the car and its components.”

What is it about tech that appeals to you so much?

Megan: “I like its versatility, there are so many ways you can use it. Without tech, I wouldn’t be able to model the car or test it fully.”

Chloe: “I like the power that tech has to do good, it can save lives.”

Why do you think we should be encouraging more girls into STEM?

Megan: “Gender disparity within the tech industry is a serious issue, the numbers need to be readdressed and become more equal. One way to do this is to get girls interested in STEM.”

Nicole: “We’ve heard first hand from other girls that that the gender gap puts them off. It discourages them, they don’t think that they can do it because they don’t have any females to look up to.

“These girls have so much potential and it is going to waste because they think they can’t do it. We hope that we can be role models to these girls.”

What kind of support have you had along the way?

Megan: “We’ve had a lot of support, especially from professional engineers who helped us with the design and manufacture of the car so it would be as aerodynamic as possible.”

Amy: “We had Di Resta himself come in and help us! Our parents have also helped from bringing us food for our late night sessions to printing on mugs for us.”

Nicole: “We have also had support from an organisation called Developing the Young Workforce. It supports young people and assists them with their career. They have been a huge help so far!”

“We have a lot of financial sponsors, we worked really hard to gain these partners and have been overwhelmed by the number of companies willing to help us.”

How close are you to your funding goal?

Nicole: “We are doing quite well so far, we are close to our goal of £30,000. It’s that last push to get the rest that can be challenging. Every little bit we get adds up, so we are hopeful that we will reach our goal.”

Any message for girls considering a career in tech?

Amy: “Tech is always changing and there are areas of expertise now that didn’t exist five years ago. The tech sector is the fastest expanding career pathway someone can take, it is always changing and updating.”

Katie: “I would say that tech is something that has no limitations. There are so many jobs that involve tech that everyone can find something that he or she enjoys.”

Megan: “If tech is something that you like to do don’t let anyone stop you, and if you never done anything tech related you should try it because it’s more fun than you might think.”

Nicole: “Tech doesn’t have to be geeky, it’s what you make of it. There is nothing wrong with doing something a bit different or unusual as long as you like it that’s all that matters.

“I think sometimes people forget that they can find a career which they can enjoy.”

Chloe: “Do what you’re good at and don’t stop!”

What are your future career plans?

Amy: “This competition has cemented for me that I want a career in Formula 1. I’d love to be either a driver or a mechanic in the pits.”

Chloe: “Personally, I’d like to go into management or education.”

Nicole: “I used to want to be an art teacher but I have enjoyed my role as Marketing and Resource Manager so much that I have decided to pursue a career in Marketing.”