Turnitin and F1 in Schools Partner to Provide Originality Checking at the F1 in Schools World Finals 2019

Turnitin, the world leader in feedback, grading, and plagiarism detection solutions is teaming up with F1 in Schools to check the originality of submissions for the F1 in Schools World Finals 2019 in Abu Dhabi.

Founded in the UK in 2000, the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge exists to inspire school-age students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership/teamwork, media skills and financial strategy.

The not-for-profit organisation provides an exciting-yet-challenging educational experience through the magnetic appeal of Formula 1. The F1 in Schools STEM Challenge is the only global multi-disciplinary challenge in which students design, construct, and race air-powered cars.

During the competition, each competing team is required to deliver a collection of work, including a business plan, branding exercise, verbal presentation, and portfolio (documenting both business and engineering strategy).

Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools, says, “There is a clear need to ensure originality of the teams’ written submissions, of course. But more importantly, we see this as an opportunity to educate young people on the importance of integrity and some of the fundamentals of research and academic writing at an earlier age.”

Turnitin has been at the forefront of integrity solutions for over 20 years; its tools are used by over 15,000 institutions in 140 countries, helping to prevent copy and paste plagiarism and collusion by identifying matches to sources in Turnitin’s comprehensive internet database, scholarly articles, and previously submitted student papers.

By partnering with Turnitin, F1 in Schools will receive access to a world-class document rendering service with built-in similarity checking. Turnitin’s Similarity Report is one of the most extensive, accurate, and robust solutions in its space, and will allow F1 in schools to check new portfolios against those from previous years of F1 in Schools finals.

“STEM education is an area of increasing importance in today's technology-driven world, but like any other academic discipline it must be held to high standards of integrity,” says Cees Poortman, Turnitin Regional VP for EMEA. “We are delighted to assist F1 in Schools as they foster ingenuity and creativity, whilst promoting originality and integrity outside of the classroom.”

With such high stake prizes being awarded—including university scholarships at City, University of London, UCL Mechanical Engineering, University of Huddersfield, and places in the Unilever Williams Engineering Academy—Turnitin is focused on assisting F1 in schools to emphasise the importance of integrity to its participants. With access to Turnitin’s reliable solution, F1 in Schools can safely preserve the longstanding reputation of the competition and protect the intellectual property of these young innovative thinkers.

As part of its new 2019 competition regulations, F1 in Schools asserts that plagiarism undermines the credibility and integrity of the F1 in Schools challenge and the spirit of the competition; competing teams that intentionally plagiarise any part of their assessed work may be excluded from that element of the competition.

On Sunday 24 November, the F1 in Schools World Finals 2019 will welcome 55 teams from 22 countries with the competition being held at the du Forum, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Each team consists of three to six students. All competing teams will be asked to submit a plagiarism declaration as part of Turnitin’s partnership with F1 in Schools.

About F1 in Schools

Andrew Denford, an entrepreneurial engineer working within the education sector, founded the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge in the UK in 2000. He implemented a STEM programme that uses the high profile, glamorous and high-tech world of fast cars and Formula 1 to engage and inspire students, introducing them to engineering in a compelling and unique educational competition. Today this world-leading global educational initiative operates in 45 countries worldwide.

Researching, designing, making and racing an F1 car of the future is at its core. Teams then race each other head-to-head on the F1 in Schools 20 metre racetrack. The challenge can be used as an education tool or hook to engage students in STEM subjects. This gives students the opportunity to develop key skills such as communication, presenting and teamwork, while forming the foundation for any career path they choose to follow.

The students assess their performance against other schools at a series of regional finals around the country. The best teams at each regional final compete at their National Finals and success at this level earns them a place at the World Finals.

The world champions win scholarships for City, University London and UCL Engineering, as well as being guests of Formula 1 with complimentary four-day paddock access to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2019 and the coveted World Champions trophy.

This Formula 1 supported global STEM programme is also a proven route to motorsport and automotive careers with former participants working in Formula 1 teams, engine manufacturers, sports agencies and many more allied companies.

Press contact for F1 in Schools:

Alison Hill, Alison@id-pr.co.uk

Tel: 07710 306588