STEM Racing UK – Years 7 & 8 boys lead the way!
At Devonshire House School, we are delighted to announce that our Years 7 & 8 boys have entered two teams into the upcoming STEM Racing UK Regional Final, set for 5 February 2026. This a great opportunity our oldest pupils to get hands-on with engineering, design and enterprise.
What the competition involves
As part of the Development Class challenge which our teams have entered for the competition, the boys will:
- Design and manufacture a model car, using CAD/CAM tools and CNC-machining, then race it in a drag-style race against other teams over a 20-metre track.
- Produce a 5-page design & engineering portfolio – documenting their CAD work, design decisions, aerodynamics, manufacture process and more.
- Produce a 5-page enterprise portfolio, exploring sponsorship or marketing – giving pupils insight into budgeting, business strategy, and real-world entrepreneurship.
- Create a pit display: a STEM-style presentation stand showcasing their project, branding, and team identity.
- Deliver a verbal presentation explaining and defending their design and business decisions to judges.
In short: they’re not just building a car, they are running their own mini-engineering and business project from start to finish!
Why this matters – building mature, well-rounded learners
By taking part in STEM Racing, our Years 7 & 8 students are experiencing first-hand what it takes to plan, design, manufacture, promote, present and deliver a product – all in a team environment. It’s a powerful blend of science, technology, engineering, design, teamwork, enterprise and communication.
This kind of project helps prepare them not only for success in the classroom, but also for life beyond: learning to manage time, collaborate, solve problems and think like young entrepreneurs. For pupils moving on to Senior School in Year 9, such skills offer a strong foundation – something that goes beyond what Year 6 boys could experience before moving on to Year 7.
At Devonshire House, we believe in nurturing rounded learners and the commitment these boys are showing for STEM Racing is exactly the kind of forward-thinking attitude we want to foster!
What the boys are doing now
Our two teams have already chosen their team names and assigned roles, covering design, manufacturing, sponsorship, project management and branding. They’re busy working on their CAD drawings, designing liveries, and putting together their sponsorship plans. They’ll present their portfolios, drawings and branding at the regional final, a major milestone in their STEM-Racing journey!
We look forward to cheering them on at the February Regional Final and celebrating their creativity, teamwork and ambition, no matter what the outcome.