From the School Workshop to the National Final: Four Awards for Island Racing

From the School Workshop to the National Final: Four Awards for Island Racing

Technology Leaders of the Future scholars take part in a wide range of extracurricular projects at TLF’s partner schools. At The Island Private School in Cyprus, for example, the Island Racing team develops racing cars and competes in engineering competitions.

Four scholars, four areas of responsibility

Island Racing includes four TLF scholars, each responsible for a different area:

  • Alexey Migulya — manufacturing and graphic design;
  • Amir Daiyrov — project management;
  • Taron Seynyan — resources and media;
  • David Shevchenko — sustainability.

Together with other students from the school, they spent several months preparing for the competition.

Four awards at the national final

On 7 November 2026, the team competed at the STEM Racing Cyprus national final in Nicosia and earned four awards:

  • 3rd place overall;
  • Research and Development Award;
  • Innovative Thinking Award;
  • Community & Social Impact Award.
Island Racing’s four STEM Racing Cyprus awards and a medal for third place
Island Racing’s four awards at the STEM Racing Cyprus national final.

More than designing a racing car

The results reflect much more than car design. The students conducted research, found sponsors themselves, negotiated and divided up tasks, while also preparing engineering and business portfolios.

At the competition, they presented their solutions to the judges and answered their questions.

Island Racing members presenting their project beside a display of engineering materials
Participants and organisers beside the track at the STEM Racing Cyprus national final

How the team approached aerodynamics

TLF scholar Alexey Migulya explained one of the team’s developments:

“Using computer modelling, we identified a high-pressure zone at the front of the car, where the oncoming airflow created significant aerodynamic drag. To address this, we designed a special aerodynamic element — a winglet — that redirects the airflow and improves pressure distribution. Our goal is not only to reduce drag, but also to generate additional downforce, making the car more stable.”

Alexey Migulya, TLF scholar

Experience for the next season

Even months of preparation cannot guarantee that everything will go to plan. The team received penalty points for non-compliance with some technical requirements and could not take part in the knockout races.

Nevertheless, the car delivered competitive results, and the students gained valuable experience and a clearer understanding of what to improve next season.

Island Racing members at their team display during the national final
Island Racing members gathered with their awards after the competition

Congratulations to Island Racing! We wish the team new engineering discoveries and every success in future competitions!