STEM Racing

Aeros Racing STEM Racing Team

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Project Overview

Aeros Racing is a competitive STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools) team based in Chicago that designs, manufactures, and races CO₂-powered model race cars under strict technical and sporting regulations. The program integrates engineering design, project management, branding, and public outreach into a single competitive framework.

I have been involved with Aeros Racing across multiple seasons, first as Lead Engineer and later as a Mentor and Board Member for the team’s nonprofit governing body, the Aeros Foundation. My role has evolved from hands-on technical leadership to instructional and organizational support, allowing me to contribute both to competitive performance and long-term program development.

The sections below highlight the most relevant parts of the design and manufacturing process. If you’d like a deeper look at the full workflow and technical details, you can find the complete competition engineering portfolio at the bottom of this page.

The team and I at the World Finals

Assembling a prototype car

Fully assembled car on track

Lead Engineer

As Lead Engineer, I led a four-member engineering team through a full nine-month design and manufacturing cycle each season. I was responsible for setting technical direction, managing design timelines, and coordinating with branding and trade display teams to ensure consistent deliverables across the program.

I designed and evaluated over 100 vehicle concepts in CAD under STEM Racing regulations, using CFD to guide aerodynamic refinement. Through iterative design and simulation, I achieved an estimated drag reduction of approximately 18%, resulting in a predicted track time improvement of 0.12 seconds. To ensure structural integrity, I conducted finite element analysis on critical components and validated results through physical testing. This combination of simulation and experimental verification allowed us to reduce mass while maintaining reliability under race conditions. On top of this, I became proficient in rapid prototyping, using FDM and SLA 3D printers extensivly, along with gaining a lot of experiance in CNC machining.

I also produced a 10-page engineering portfolio documenting research, design iteration, simulation methodology, and validation results, supported by engineering drawings and product renders. You can find the complete competition engineering portfolio at the bottom of this page. This work contributed to strong judging outcomes and consistent competitive success, including:

STEM Racing USA National Champions (2025) – Fastest Car Award and multiple judged awards
STEM Racing Finalists (2025)
F1 in Schools World Finalists (2024) – 13th of 43 teams, four award nominations
F1 in Schools North America National Champions (2023)

I was also selected twice to participate in the final assessment centre for the Komatsu Williams Engineering Academy, recognizing both technical performance and professional presentation at an international level.

Mentor

After my competitive seasons, I transitioned into a mentor role, supporting students across engineering, branding, and communications. I mentored six students in preparation for the 2025 World Finals, providing guidance in CAD design, manufacturing methods, and competition strategy.

To improve onboarding and long-term development, I created and led a “Learning Track” program combining technical instruction, hands-on workshops, and individualized feedback. In parallel, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Aeros Foundation, helping guide organizational strategy and support emerging STEM Racing teams in the Chicago area.