Horizon International School (HIS) proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of its Ecolyte team, recognised amongst the top 16 teams at the Aramco F1 in Schools World Finals 2024 for their exemplary car design scrutineering, achieving 100% compliance with zero regulation breaches, progressing through to the knockout racing stages. The team of four students also finished in the top 3 for the Best Pit Display Award; the only UAE team to receive a nomination during the global competition, which took place from 23rd to 26th November at Dhahran Expo, Saudi Arabia.
The prestigious global STEM competition brought together 55 teams and 450 students from around the world to compete with their meticulously designed miniature Formula 1 cars, crafted using advanced CAD and CAM software. Students were challenged to meet stringent car design requirements while fostering practical skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It brought students together from various year groups to collaborate on a multifaceted project that extended beyond just engineering. Horizon International School’s Ecolyte team, had to focus on raising awareness about their car by developing an impactful marketing campaign, and use their teamwork skills to reflect the multifaceted dynamics of the professional F1 industry. The Ecolyte team showcased remarkable innovation and commitment to excellence, embodying the spirit of this global competition.
The team, consisted of four STEM students, Sofia Riggio (Year 11), Grace Zanjani (Year 11), Andreas Palmos (Year 12), and Hazin Mohamed (Former Year 13) who showcased exceptional collaboration and innovation. Each member played a critical role, from managing timelines and promoting sustainability goals to ensuring precision in design and manufacturing. Their dedication and teamwork solidified their place on the global stage among the brightest young talents.
On this occasion, Horizon International School, Principal, Darren Gale commented:“We are incredibly proud of the Ecolyte team’s dedication and the results they’ve achieved competing against bright young talents from around the world. It’s truly rewarding to see the fruits of their hard work, particularly in seeing the Ecolyte car – the result of so much time and effort from our students – competing at an international level. We congratulate them for all their efforts, as well as the support they’ve received from their teachers and the entire school community. Their commitment and teamwork have been key to this achievement, reflecting the core values we uphold at Horizon International School: the importance of teamwork, dedication, and striving to make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.”
Through their meticulous planning and exceptional work, the Ecolyte team established a strong social media presence across six platforms, amassing a total of 1,800 followers. Their TikTok content alone garnered over 10,000 likes, highlighting the strong engagement from their communities and supporters, as well as the immense effort put into their preparation.
Horizon International School has celebrated numerous proud moments with the F1 in Schools program over the years, emphasizing student preparation for the competition and nurturing support from the entire school community, including parents and teachers. Together, they have enabled students to compete with racing miniature cars at both national and international levels.
