CHICAGO (WLS) — A group of Chicago-based students showed off their most recent achievement in the world of STEM Racing.
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Organizers said it’s the world’s largest school-based engineering competition.
On Saturday, McLaren Chicago hosted a celebration for the high schoolers who were just crowned the 2025 National Champions.
The Formula 1 cars model was created and constructed by students from the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. These designs enter into competition against teams globally.
“We emerged as national champions, and now we’re headed to Singapore this September, where we will represent Team USA, alongside two other teams, and we are incredibly excited,” expressed Taara Sajdeh of AEROS Racing.
The AEROS Racing team is not only responsible for the design of their car but also raising money and building support like a real F1 team.
Maya Livni with AEROS Racing explained there are two sides of the project.
“There’s the process of building the car… It’s a significant process of ensuring it is as aerodynamic as possible,” Livni explained. “Even the smallest adjustments can have a major impact. Additionally, there’s the business aspect, which involves marketing, securing sponsorships, and attracting fans.”
Through the process of the competition the students take with them real-world experience in a variety of disciplines.
“I’m learning basic you know, engineering skills along with advanced engineering skills,” Aran Malhotra with AEROS Racing said. “I’m learning how to manufacture, how to use different machines, how to do virtual simulations you know, all of the above.”
Last year AEROS Racing competed in Saudi Arabia at the world finals.
The team has already secured its spot for this year’s World Finals in Singapore in September.
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