For generations, Scalextric has brought the excitement of motorsport into homes. But what happens when students are challenged to design, manufacture and race their own cars?
That is the idea behind Scalextric4Schools, a STEM competition combining professional CAD software, 3D printing and practical engineering, built around three simple words:
Design. Make. Race.
Table of Contents
- Bringing Engineering to Life
- From CAD to 3D Printing
- Engineering Beyond the Screen
- Rapid Growth and Industry Support
- Supporting Teachers and Schools
- More Than Just Racing
- About Scalextric4Schools
Bringing Engineering to Life
Originally established in 2009, the competition was relaunched following the pandemic by two UK Design & Technology teachers, Simon Hooker and Antony Cross. Our aim was to give students an exciting, accessible engineering challenge connecting classroom learning with manufacturing.
Today, the competition is growing rapidly, with schools across the UK and internationally taking part.
From CAD to 3D Printing
At the heart of the programme is Onshape, PTC’s cloud-native CAD platform, allowing students to develop their designs on virtually any device.
Students begin by creating their car bodies, exploring shapes, proportions and component assemblies. More experienced teams can progress to designing their own chassis and mechanical components.
3D printing transforms these digital designs into physical products.
Image courtesy of Scalextric4Schools
This is where some of the most valuable learning takes place. A design that looks perfect on screen may reveal problems when printed. Walls might be too thin, mounting points may not align, or components might interfere with one another.
Students must consider material selection, tolerances, print orientation and structural strength while developing their designs.
Our approach brings these challenges together through Design. Make. Race.
Students use CAD to develop their ideas, 3D printing to bring them to life, and racing to put their engineering decisions to the test. The experience encourages creativity, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Image courtesy of Scalextric4Schools
For the 2027 competition, our Rookie category allows new schools to use a supplied chassis, while Championship teams must design and manufacture their own body and chassis.
This provides an accessible starting point while encouraging students to develop increasingly sophisticated engineering skills.
Engineering Beyond the Screen
Scalextric4Schools is more than a design competition. Every car must function and perform on the track.
Students combine their 3D printed components with motors, electrical connections and mechanical parts, investigating factors such as weight distribution, wheel alignment, friction and reliability.
An attractive car is not necessarily a fast car.
Image courtesy of Scalextric4Schools
This creates a genuine connection between digital design, additive manufacturing and practical engineering, allowing students to see the consequences of their design decisions.
It also develops teamwork, problem-solving and communication skills as students collaborate to produce a working racing car.
Rapid Growth and Industry Support
At our 2026 national finals at Stoneleigh, 30 teams and 128 students competed with cars they had designed and manufactured.
Image courtesy of Scalextric4Schools
For 2027, we have already recorded 76 paid schools and 117 teams, representing 468 potential student places, with international registrations from the United States, Singapore and Sweden.
We are supported by industry partners including Onshape/PTC, Scalextric, KeyShot and PDS Vision.
2026 Rookie Class winners from WAG Academy, Coventry
Image courtesy of Scalextric4Schools
However, the programme is still run by just two teachers alongside our full-time teaching responsibilities.
As participation increases, so does the need to support schools with different levels of experience and access to manufacturing equipment.
Our ambition is to ensure that access to technology does not become a barrier to participation.
Supporting Teachers and Schools
Alongside the competition, we have developed a growing educational community.
Our Onteacher YouTube channel provides free Onshape tutorials, while the Onshape for Teachers Facebook group enables educators to share ideas, ask questions and develop their confidence.
The Facebook community grew from 362 to 620 members in just 16 days between October and November 2026, an increase of more than 70%. Onteacher has also grown to over 540 subscribers.
Together, these resources help teachers introduce professional CAD technology into their classrooms, with Scalextric4Schools providing a practical reason for students to apply their skills.
We also see significant opportunities to collaborate with 3D printing manufacturers, helping more schools access the equipment, resources and expertise needed to turn digital designs into physical products.
Read more: Best Budget FDM 3D Printers
More Than Just Racing
The greatest reward is seeing students realise that they can design and manufacture something that works.
Image courtesy of Scalextric4Schools
For some, this means producing their first successful 3D printed car body. For others, it involves developing a chassis, refining components or improving performance through testing.
Not every student will become an engineer, but every participant can develop valuable skills and a greater understanding of design and manufacturing.
Ultimately, the racing is only part of the story.
The achievement is turning an idea into a digital model, that model into a physical product, and that product into a working racing car.
Design. Make. Race.
Three simple words that can inspire the next generation of designers and engineers.
About Scalextric4Schools
Scalextric4Schools is a UK-based STEM education initiative that combines CAD, 3D printing and practical engineering through an exciting student racing competition. Originally established in 2009 and relaunched by Design & Technology educators Simon Hooker and Antony Cross, the programme encourages students to design, manufacture, test and race their own Scalextric cars.
Through its “Design. Make. Race.” approach, Scalextric4Schools helps young people develop skills in digital design, additive manufacturing, problem-solving and teamwork. The competition welcomes schools from the UK and internationally, with different categories to accommodate beginners and more experienced teams.
Website: Scalextric4Schools
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