Bloomsburg --PA-- High School Wins International Design Competition.

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. -- A student team from Bloomsburg (PA) High School won Best Overall and Fastest Car in the international finals of the "Jaguar F1 Team in Schools CAD/CAM Design Challenge," October 5 in Birmingham, England, in the first appearance by a US team.

Teams competed from Australia, Brunei, England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Thailand, United States and Wales. Each team designed, analyzed, built and raced a Formula One (F1)-type CO2-powered car. They also documented and were judged on their design process and oral presentation.

"Turbo," the Bloomsburg High School Team, consisted of Alex DeRose, Austin Mantz, Tyler Marshall, Jessica Rubenstein, and Justin Wilcott with team advisor Instructor Kirk Marshall.

Team Turbo learned a vital lesson when a lack of proper documentation cost them first place in the US regionals, according to Marshall. For the nationals, the team totally re-engineered its cars to meet all design specifications, incorporated a unique new aerodynamic design, and created a display and portfolio beyond reproach.

According to Wilcott, the team's graphic design engineer, the competition was much tougher than anticipated. "Yet, it was great to see how other countries handled the rules and regulations," he says. "It's been an educational opportunity."

Students experience real-life engineering, according to Marshall. "Each had a responsibility and a talent," he says. "Each strove to do their best from designing a portfolio to designing and building an F1 car. Had one student not done his work, we wouldn't have won!"

Founded in England in 1999, the competition has exceeded all expectations, according to Andrew Denford, F1 in Schools Founder and Chairman, and has attracted more than 34,000 students in England alone.

The program showcases how fascinating engineering can be. "It's like taking a lid off a box and letting students grow," says Mike Beasley, Patron of F1 in Schools, Former Managing Director of Jaguar, and Chairman of CBI.

Business, though, drives the program. "We urgently need young people to enter engineering," says Les Ratcliffe, Manager -- Community Affairs, Jaguar Cars. "We're experiencing a crucial shortage of engineers."

Students, 11-18+ years of age, can enter the F1 competition which is supported by partners Denford, Jaguar, BAE Systems, Pitsco and sponsors Technology Student Association, UGS and Pathtrace. For more information, go to www.denford.co.uk/f1inschools.htm.