FROM the Grand Prix to Albury High School — this Formula One car is certainly doing the rounds.
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The McLaren MP4-21, which was driven by Lewis Hamilton at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend as part of a demonstration, parked at the school yesterday to teach students about the vital role engineering plays.
The car can reach speeds of 350km/h and go from 0km/h to 100km/h in 1.4 seconds.
Re-Engineering Australia Foundation founder and chairman Dr Michael Myers said in the past there had been a shortage of engineers and he hoped to encourage students into the career by introducing them to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“STEM provides people with all the skills to drive innovation,” Dr Myers said.
“STEM is a series of professions that don’t market themselves very well so we are combining them into one so students can relate their learning to real life.
“We don’t want to learn maths, science and English in isolation, but learn them together.”
Dr Myers said the Formula One car caught the interest of students because they responded to role models.
“When we do attract the students then we can talk about maths and science and how it relates to their futures,” he said.
Mr Myers will revisit the school tomorrow hoping to create interest with other STEM technologies including lasers, 3D printers and software.