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STEM Racing Centre of Excellence

The University of Leeds School of Mechanical Engineering & STEM Outreach Team have partnered with F1 in Schools to provide a 'Centre of Excellence' for local secondary schools and colleges taking part in STEM Racing.

F1 in Schools is a practical extra-curricular STEM project for students in Year 7-12, with the potential to compete at an international level.  We particularly want to encourage girls to engage in the project, but everyone is welcome to participate.

Read a case study with Ted & Amelia, F1 in Schools World finalists and current undergraduate students.

What is a Centre of Excellence?

At The University of Leeds Centre of Excellence, we offer tailored support from pre-registration to submission, which is delivered by our Mechanical Engineering Lecturers and Technicians.  This support includes:

  • Design Support: specialist knowledge of the software being used
  • Manufacturing Experience Sessions: in-person visit to the University of Leeds to manufacture cars using the CNC machine and test them on track.  There is also the option to send design files, and for your manufactured car to be sent out via post.  Please use this form to indicate whether you would like to attend a Manufacturing Experience Session or have your car sent to you.
  • Mentoring Support: meet ex-world finalist alumni studying Mechanical Engineering and Physics at the University of Leeds
  • Race Experience Days: on-campus preparation day for the Regional Finals, where you can test and race your cars using the F1 track and wind tunnels, tour the School of Mechanical Engineering, get support for the engineering portfolio, and meet F1 in Schools alumni studying at Leeds.  Book your Race Experience Day here.
    • Tuesday 16 December 2025 & , Wednesday 17 December 2025, 09:00-14:00.
    • Cars will be manufactured beforehand upon request (please allow 2 weeks for manufacturing).

We are committed to supporting your students to prepare for the Regional Finals in February 2026 (exact date tbc).

Professor Neil Bressloff, Head of the School of Mechanical Engineering said: “At Leeds, we are passionate about attracting more young people from under-represented groups to study STEM subjects at university, and we hope our collaboration with F1 in Schools will help us to realise this aspiration.”

Get in touch:

For manufacturing support and to book onto the Test Day please contact Dr Joshua Owen

To speak to a member of the STEM Outreach team, please contact Natalie Duffield-Moore

See here for more information about STEM Racing