National design challenge · Secondary schools

Shape ofSpeed

CHALLENGE

A national design challenge for secondary school students.

Using reclaimed ROHACELL® offcuts, students design and build an original model inspired by the speed, movement, performance and innovation of Formula One™.

Not a model car.Think shape, airflow, motion and engineering.

The brief

Think like a designer. Build like an engineer.

Transform ROHACELL® offcuts into a small sculpture or model that captures the energy, creativity and engineering spirit of Formula One™.

Students tell a story through shape, structure and imagination. The idea can be abstract, realistic, futuristic or completely unexpected. There is no single right answer: judges are looking for brave ideas and clear choices.

Fuel for ideas

British design

Design heritage, engineering and innovation. Precision, craft and problem solving.

Motorsport

Performance, aerodynamics and speed. Build something that looks fast before it even moves.

Future materials

Efficiency, circularity and sustainable design. Show how waste can become something bold.

50 cm²

Maximum footprintThe finished model must fit within this footprint.

Workshop safetyFollow normal DT workshop controls and safe handling guidance.

No cars

Inspired, not a replicaNot an F1 car, road car or any direct car model. Think sculpture, airflow, motion, texture.

The material

ROHACELL^® PMI foam

A structural foam core used in motorsport and aerospace. It is extremely light, stiff for its weight, and cuts, sands and shapes cleanly with workshop tools.

Every piece is a reclaimed offcut, provided to registered schools, that would otherwise go to waste.

100%

reclaimed offcuts

PMI

polymethacrylimide closed-cell foam

Aero

grade used in motorsport & aerospace

Entering & judging

What students hand in and how it's scored

What to hand in

The modelA completed sculpture or model made mainly from ROHACELL® offcuts.
PhotosDigital images of the finished design, ideally from different angles.
Design statementNo more than one page covering: the idea behind the model and what it represents how the design developed, with sketches, iterations or prototype photos what was discovered, tested or learned during the build

How judges score

CreativityOriginality, ambition and imagination.

Material useSmart, imaginative use of reclaimed offcuts.

Build qualityQuality of making, finish and structure.

Design storyThe learning journey and final presentation.

Race calendar

Idea · prototype · build · submit

SEP 2026

Launch & sign up

The competition opens and schools register.

Registration open

SEP – FEB

Design, test, build

Students prototype, improve and finish their models.

26 FEB 2027

Submit

Photos and design statements sent to Emkay.

Friday deadline

MAR 2027

Judging

Entries judged at a Formula One™ Team HQ.

MAR / APR

Winner announced

The team is revealed and the winner invited to HQ.

The prize

From classroom to spotlight

Team HQ visit

The winning student and their family are invited for an exclusive tour of the Formula One™ Team, and the winning entry is displayed by the team.

£1,000 for the school

A donation to the winning school: £500 from the Formula One™ Team and £500 from Emkay Plastics.

Which team? The Formula One™ Team will be revealed at the end of the competition.

Questions teachers ask

Learn more

Can students build a model F1 car?

No. The model should not be an F1 car, road car or any direct car model. It should be inspired by Formula One™: think sculpture, airflow, motion, texture and performance.

Where does the foam come from?

Registered schools are provided with reclaimed ROHACELL® offcuts, which should be the main material for the build. Collection details are shared in our Facebook group.

How big can the model be?

The maximum footprint is 50 cm². The full rules are in the design brief.

Do we post the model to you?

No. Schools submit digital images of the finished model with the one-page design statement by Friday 26 February 2027.

Where is judging held?

Judging takes place at a Formula One™ Team HQ in March 2027. The winner is announced in March or April 2027.

Which Formula One™ Team is it?

That's part of the fun. The team will be revealed at the end of the competition.

Shape of Speed community

See what other schools are building

Our Facebook group is where the challenge happens day to day. Teachers share work in progress, swap ideas and arrange to collect ROHACELL® offcuts for their students.

Visit the Facebook group facebook.com/groups/720175910046136

Get inspiredPhotos of models, sketches and prototypes from schools across the country.

Collect materialFind out when and where to pick up offcuts for your school.

Ask questionsGet answers from the Emkay team and other teachers taking part.