The Sennayr team, made up of four students from Colégio Horizonte, secured third place at the regional finals of the international STEM Racing competition and qualified for the national stage of the initiative – which challenges students to develop STEM skills alongside project management and business strategy. The team received support from INESC TEC in the production of key components for the prototype that joined the competition.
This is not the first time that collaboration between INESC TEC and Colégio Horizonte contributed to students’ participation in international competitions, helping to foster young people’s engagement with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). On this occasion, the Institute supported a team of four 12th grade students who took part in the regional finals of the international STEM Racing competition.
The aim of this technically demanding competition is to design, develop and test miniature Formula 1 cars in a competitive setting that mirrors the real world of engineering and innovation. Through the Photonics team, INESC TEC played an active role in this journey by supporting the students in the production of essential prototype components, namely through the 3D printing of parts. This support was provided by INESC TEC researchers Diana Guimarães and Luís Coelho.
“The Sennayr team achieved an impressive third place and secured qualification for the national stage, which will take place on 20 and 21 May in Ponte de Lima. This result reflects the commitment, dedication and team spirit shown throughout the entire project, which provided the students with a highly enriching experience, both technically and personally,” explained the researchers.
In addition to the Sennayr team, INESC TEC also supported the Falcon McQueens team, which was likewise made up exclusively of women students. “Although they did not qualify for the next stage, their participation highlighted the growing involvement of young women in technology and engineering, reinforcing the importance of initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in these fields,” they added.
INESC TEC’s involvement in initiatives of this kind underlines the Institute’s commitment to promoting STEM education and supporting the development of young talent, helping to shape future generations of engineers and scientists. Beyond support for participation in competitions, collaboration between INESC TEC and Colégio Horizonte has also led to talks, internships, practical demonstrations at the school, and visits to the Institute’s facilities.
The regional STEM Racing finals took place on 14 April in Porto.
News, current topics, curiosities and so much more about INESC TEC and its community!
