STEM Racing: Pit Stop
Use 3D printed joints for sustainable assembly of cardboard sections
https://www.printables.com/model/1337757-joints-for-corroplast-hardboard-or-cardboard
I want a fully cardboard design that stands out. Sustainable materials should never look like a compromise.
3D printed handle for cardboard boxes https://www.printables.com/model/570359-cardboard-box-carry-handle
Inspiration https://f1-in-schools-torque.invisionzone.com/gallery/category/3-pit-displays/
Pit Display & Team Identity Score card
Pit Display Design Process
A range of ideas, clearly justified, creative final design. Comprehensive evidence of development considering factors including team identity, budget, sustainability and time constraints with consideration to functionality and user experience.
Pit Display Content Clarity and Impact
Clean, well-organised with high impact. Highly professional with attention to detail. Excellent integration of technology, multimedia and marketing materials. Comprehensive information about the team's work.
Functionality & User Experience execution Excellent functionality, seamless user experience, and impressive innovation across the Pit Display. A very positive impression on visitors.
- Overall Team Identity
Excellent and highly effective team identity. Team ‘brand’ consistently applied through all project elements.
Also, make sure that the Team is cohesive - they should not be stressed while making the pit stop, and they should work in sync.
Relevant from rulebook
C7.6 Pit Display setup and parameters C7.6.1 The Team Pit Display is at the heart of a STEM Racing™ event. It is the base of a team and says everything about a Team’s identity, USP (Unique Selling Point), brand and design development journey. STEM Racing™ will provide each team with a self-contained exhibition style display space including integrated lighting and 1 x power supply with pins and rating configured to the host country format. Teams need to supply any power adaptors they may require. Display spaces are normally of approximate dimensions 3m wide x 1m deep x 2.4m high. The precise space description and dimensions will be announced closer to the event C7.6.2 A time period will be scheduled for when all teams will set-up their Pit Displays. A time limit of two hours will be enforced; this will be confirmed in supplementary regulations. STEM Racing™ reserves the right to apply a penalty of up to 20 points at the discretion of the Chair of Judges for teams that do not complete their set-up within the time limit, do not leave their stand in a safe state and clear their pit and surrounding area of all rubbish. C7.6.3 No part of the teams completed Pit Display is allowed to protrude beyond the physical dimensions of their allocated pit space. This includes anything that might protrude above the pit space highest point e.g. flags. Teams are not permitted to remove any part of the provided exhibition booth to fit the pit display. A penalty of up to 10 points may be applied at the chair of judge’s discretion. C7.6.4 ONLY student team members are permitted to set-up their pit displays. There must be no supervising teacher / adult or other outside assistance, unless deemed by STEM Racing™ to be a health and safety issue. A penalty of up to 20 points may be applied at the Chair of Judge’s discretion.
C7.6.5 STEM Racing™ and/or the Chair of Judges may instruct a team to take action to reduce noise or remove display inclusions deemed to be inappropriate. STEM Racing™ will instruct teams to remove or alter any display inclusions considered to be a safety hazard. C7.6.6 Any electrical appliance connected to the power supply must be safe and compatible with the host country power rating. C7.6.7 The pit display should be designed in such a way as that it can be dismantled and rebuilt in a different location during or after the event. This is to allow pit displays to be rebuilt for promotional purposes in strategic locations over the Grand Prix weekend. C7.6.8 As part of our sustainability objectives, teams will no longer be able to send pit displays as freight to any future World Finals including the 2025 event. If your team attempts to freight anything to the venue, we will refuse delivery. C7.6.9 All pit display materials must be “hand carried”, by the team, into the World Finals event venue. Cases with wheels to be rolled in are allowed. We recommend that the dimensions would be acceptable by an airline for checked baggage into the hold of an aircraft. All materials brought into the venue must be taken away at the end of the event. Production companies will not be allowed to assist teams on the transportation or assembly of pit displays. STEM Racing™ recommends no item should weigh more than 30kg and total length
- height + depth of any item should not exceed 240cm.
C7.6.10 There will be no waste (rubbish) disposal options during pit build and breakdown. Your pit display area must be left as you found it. IMPORTANT HEALTH & SAFETY: The Health and Safety of yourselves and those around you must be considered when working on all aspects of your Pit Display to ensure a safe environment for everyone. STEM Racing™ expects teams to produce a risk assessment and method statement to ensure all team members are aware of any risks in the construction of the pit display. Displays must be safe for other participants and visitors to the event. STEM Racing™ reserves the right to apply a penalty of up to 20 points at the discretion of the Chair of Judges for unsafe activity and any unsafe elements of the pit display may be removed.
Please no holograms
Holograms draw attention, but I find they all fall short operationally.
Pit dimensions
Booths are much smaller than commercial event booths. They resemble small vendor stalls at conventions.
295 cm wide 95cm cm deep 240 cm high
Pitstop Layout
https://www.exhibitoronline.com/topics/article.asp?ID=2688
Many teams lose space to poorly placed tables. Better table placement helps.
Include sponsors
Cardboard lamp shade
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:92820
Google Cardboard?
It may be outdated but would be a cost-effective VR option, especially if you give some away.
Embossing powder to add texture to stuff
https://www.furnells.com/blog/what-does-embossing-powder-do/
Painting Aids
Hand Rest
https://www.ebmahobby.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=100 A tool to steady shaky hands during detailed tasks like painting figures. Rubber feet keep the stand from sliding on the workbench.
Look to hobbyists in the model-making space for advice.
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Use modern LED lighting Mention converting those LED lights into lamps
Sustainable Hydration Solutions
Attendees walking the show floor will appreciate a place to rehydrate. Offer a branded water station with reusable bottles or cups to draw visitors to your booth.
Sourcing Local Vendors
This greatly improves sustainability and eliminates shipping. It also supports the local economy.
Digital Materials
Leveraging digital materials is an effective way to enhance sustainability at event booths.
Options like e-brochures and QR codes reduce paper use and waste, offering flexibility for quick updates, ensuring attendees get the most current information.
Tablets or interactive kiosks facilitate engaging presentations without printed handouts.
Ideas for Interaction
The "Feel the Materials" Board:
The Idea: Build a display board entirely from cardboard with recessed sections. In each section, place a sample of the key materials used in your project (a block of modelling foam, a 3D printed part, a piece of your axle material). The labels can be etched directly into the cardboard.
Why it Works: It's a simple, tactile way to engage people with your manufacturing choices. It grounds your digital designs in physical reality and tells the story of your car's construction.
The Interactive Reaction Challenge & Digital Swag
Tap into the competitive spirit of F1 with an engaging activity that provides a digital, waste-free takeaway.
How it Works: Set up a simple F1-style starting light reaction timer at your pit display. Invite visitors to test their reaction speed. Create a "Top Gear" style leaderboard for the fastest times of the day. Instead of a physical prize, have a QR code that allows participants to:
- Download a digital photo of themselves with their reaction time.
- Access your team's digital portfolio or sponsorship proposal.
- Receive a custom-designed wallpaper of your team's car for their phone.
Why it Works: This is a fun, memorable, and highly interactive experience that directly relates to racing. It demonstrates your team's creativity and technical skills while providing a sustainable and modern form of "swag" that also helps distribute your key marketing materials.
Sponsor-Powered Charitable Giving
This model directly uses the Shepard example by integrating one of your key sponsors into the activation.
How it Works: Partner with a sponsor who agrees to donate a small amount (e.g., $1, $5) to a designated charity for every visitor who completes a task at your pit display. The task could be anything from answering a quiz question about your car's design to participating in the reaction challenge.
Why it Works: This is an incredibly powerful tool for your enterprise and sponsorship pitch. It shows that you can provide genuine, measurable value back to your sponsors by associating their brand with a positive, charitable, and engaging community action. It elevates your team from simply seeking funding to creating collaborative marketing partnerships.
The "Live CFD" Experience
Offer a hands-on demonstration of the complex engineering behind your car instead of just showing static images.
How it Works: On a tablet or screen, have a simplified, interactive simulation of your car's aerodynamics. Allow visitors to make a small change to the car's design—for instance, adjusting the rear wing angle—and see a pre-calculated visualization of how the airflow (drag and downforce) is affected.
Why it Works: This is the ultimate "show, don't tell" experience. It immediately communicates your team's technical expertise in a way that is far more engaging and understandable than charts and graphs. It provides a memorable "wow" moment that positions your team as knowledgeable and professional.