All eyes were on the F1 in Schools Australia Grand Prix held over two days at Eastern Creek International Raceway last month.

F1 in Schools is a science, technology, engineering and maths program involving more than 9 million students from 33 countries.

Students design, analyse, test, build and race miniature, carbon-dioxide-powered, balsa wood Formula 1 cars while learning engineering principles such as physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, leadership, teamwork, media skills and project management.

Western Sydney wasn't represented in the 26 teams represented.

Now in its seventh year, the event was held in Sydney for the first time and organised by Re-engineering Australia Foundation. Competition was fierce as students were judged on 11 criteria, including innovation, engineering and public speaking. Dr Rob Bell, presenter of Network Ten's Scope science program, and federal senator Cory Bernardi attended to present 18 awards.

Tasmanian team "Pentagliders" from Brooks High School will represent Australia at world titles in Malaysia after they were voted the best professional class team. They also went home with awards for the fastest car and best energy-efficient design.

They will be joined in Malaysia by the Lightspeed team from Ballarat South Community Learning Precinct. This was voted the best development class rookie team.

This is the second consecutive year a Ballarat school has produced a national champion team after Sebastopol College finished fifth out of 22 countries at last year's world titles.