Denford STEM Studio with F1 in Schools
Bringing a fully equipped, professional-grade STEM and engineering education environment into a school or training facility typically requires significant planning, procurement, and setup across multiple suppliers and systems. The Denford STEM Studio removes that complexity entirely by delivering a complete, ready-to-use engineering education environment in a single self-contained unit, stocked with the full suite of equipment needed to run an F1 in Schools STEM Challenge program and support a wide range of engineering design, analysis, and manufacturing activities.
Built by Denford Limited in collaboration with F1 in Schools, the world's largest and most exciting STEM-based educational project, the STEM Studio is more than a collection of machines. It is a complete educational environment, climate-controlled, fully equipped, and ready to inspire the next generation of engineers and designers from the moment it arrives.
Klein Educational supplies the Denford STEM Studio to schools, colleges, and educational institutions across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska. We help programs understand the opportunity and navigate the procurement process.
What is F1 in Schools?
F1 in Schools is a global STEM-based educational challenge in which teams of students design, analyze, manufacture, and race miniature Formula 1 cars. Founded and sponsored by Denford Limited, F1 in Schools has grown into one of the most impactful STEM education programs in the world, engaging students in genuine engineering, design, manufacturing, and business challenges that develop technical skills alongside teamwork, communication, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Students who participate in F1 in Schools use the same CAD/CAM and CNC manufacturing processes used in professional motorsport engineering. They design their cars in 3D CAD software, analyze aerodynamics using simulation tools, manufacture the car bodies on CNC routers and lathes, and test and refine their designs using wind tunnel and race track systems. The experience builds skills that transfer directly to engineering technology, advanced manufacturing, and product design careers.
What is included in the STEM Studio
The STEM Studio is a self-contained, air-conditioned unit that arrives fully equipped with everything needed to design, analyze, test, and manufacture F1 in Schools cars and engineering projects.
The Air Visualisation System and its associated aerodynamics analysis tools allow students to study and test the aerodynamic performance of their designs, connecting computational fluid dynamics concepts to physical testing in a way that makes aerodynamics tangible and engaging for learners at all levels.
The Race Track and Race Control System provide the infrastructure for testing and racing the finished cars, with precise timing and performance data capture that allows students to measure the effect of design changes on real-world performance outcomes.
A Denford CNC Router and Denford CNC Lathe provide the manufacturing capability for cutting car body components and turned parts from solid material blocks, giving students hands-on experience with the complete CAD to CNC to finished part workflow using the same type of professional equipment found in engineering facilities.
A Laser Engraving Machine adds the capability for precision engraving of decals, identification markings, and decorative elements, extending the manufacturing toolkit beyond CNC machining.
3D Printers provide additive manufacturing capability for prototyping, concept modelling, and component production, giving students experience with the complementary relationship between subtractive CNC machining and additive manufacturing that characterizes modern engineering design and production.
Consumables for the program are included, reducing the additional procurement burden on programs getting started with F1 in Schools.
What students experience in the STEM Studio
The STEM Studio supports a rich, multidisciplinary STEM curriculum that develops skills across engineering design, aerodynamics, manufacturing, data analysis, and professional communication. Students work through the complete F1 in Schools design and manufacturing cycle: researching and analyzing high-performance vehicle design, creating 3D CAD models of their car, running aerodynamic analysis and wind tunnel tests, iterating on their design based on test results, manufacturing the car using CNC routing and turning, finishing and decorating the car using laser engraving and 3D printing, and testing and racing the finished car against the clock. Teams also develop business plans, marketing materials, and engineering portfolios that reflect the professional engineering project management process.
Beyond the F1 in Schools program specifically, the equipment in the STEM Studio supports a wide range of standalone CNC machining, laser engraving, 3D printing, and aerodynamics learning activities that integrate into existing engineering technology, physics, design, and manufacturing curricula.
Why the STEM Studio works
The STEM Studio's impact comes from the combination of authentic equipment, a compelling challenge context, and a complete learning environment delivered as a single package. Students who design and manufacture a real product using professional tools, test its performance against measurable criteria, and compete with the results develop the kind of engaged, applied technical learning that changes career trajectories. Schools that have implemented F1 in Schools programs with Denford equipment consistently report increased student engagement in STEM subjects and stronger pathways into engineering and manufacturing careers.
How Klein Educational supports your program
Klein Educational works with school administrators, CTE directors, and engineering department heads from the first conversation through delivery, setup, and ongoing support. We help programs understand the F1 in Schools opportunity, navigate the procurement process, and get the STEM Studio operational quickly.
We have direct access to the Denford product line and support resources for programs across our seven-state region.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Denford STEM Studio? The STEM Studio is a self-contained, air-conditioned educational unit developed by Denford Limited in collaboration with F1 in Schools. It comes fully equipped with a CNC router, CNC lathe, laser engraving machine, 3D printers, Air Visualisation System, Race Track and Race Control System, and consumables for running an F1 in Schools program and supporting engineering design and manufacturing education.
What is F1 in Schools? F1 in Schools is the world's largest STEM-based educational challenge, founded and sponsored by Denford Limited, in which student teams design, analyze, manufacture, and race miniature Formula 1 cars using professional CAD/CAM, CNC machining, and aerodynamics testing tools.
Does the STEM Studio require separate procurement of equipment? No. The STEM Studio is a complete, ready-to-use unit that includes all the machines, equipment, and consumables needed to run an F1 in Schools program. Air conditioning is built in.
Can the STEM Studio be used for purposes beyond F1 in Schools? Yes. The CNC router, CNC lathe, laser engraving machine, and 3D printers are all fully functional machines that support a wide range of engineering design, manufacturing, and STEM education activities beyond the F1 in Schools program.
Who is Denford Limited? Denford Limited is a British manufacturer with more than 70 years of experience designing CNC machines for education, based in West Yorkshire, England, with exports to over 80 countries. Denford is the founder and sponsor of F1 in Schools and one of the most trusted names in educational CNC equipment worldwide.
Does Klein Educational help with the STEM Studio procurement process? Yes. Klein works with programs from initial inquiry through procurement, delivery, and setup. We guide the entire process and provide ongoing support.
What states does Klein Educational serve? We serve California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and Alaska.
Ready to Bring the Denford STEM Studio to Your School?
Whether you are launching an F1 in Schools program or building a complete engineering design and manufacturing education environment, our team will help you understand the opportunity and get the STEM Studio into your facility.