FIVE Queechy High School students flew back to Tasmania with huge smiles on their faces and medals around their necks on Saturday, after coming second at the national F1 in Schools Technology Challenge in western Sydney.
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The all-female Golden Diversity team was one of five Queechy High School groups, one from Kings Meadows High and one from Ulverstone High to undertake the week-long challenge in Penrith.
More than 40,000 students nationwide competed in the challenge, which is the largest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) event for high school students in Australia.
Students had to make and race their own Formula One car and come up with a business-marketing plan as part of the competition.
Golden Diversity's Yara Alkhalili, 15, said a lot of work was put into the challenge since last April.
"It's definitely a big accomplishment to come second (in the development class) considering this is our first time doing this," Yara said.
She said the team had been disqualified earlier in the week as it was thought it had broken a critical rule.
"We took a risk with the front aerofoils and made it different - making in circular rather than rectangular," Yara said.
The design is what the girls believe helped them have the second-fastest car, travelling a 20-metre straight in 1.097 seconds, in the competition.
The team also claimed awards for best graphic design, best team marketing, best team portfolio and best reaction time.
Golden Diversity just missed out selection into the world challenge, which will be held in Texas in October, but hopes it could receive a wild card selection.
"If not, we'll just come back and try again next year," Yara said.
Queechy STEM co-ordinator Murat Djakic said the girl and all the students in the challenge should feel proud.
"They've put in the hard work and got the rewards," Mr Djakic said.
