Team Mercury VN Shine on the Global Stage at the 2025 Aramco STEM Racing World Finals Supported by Formula 1 in Singapore

We are immensely proud to celebrate the incredible achievements of Team Mercury VN, a team of six Year 13 students who represented BIS HCMC at the 2025 Aramco STEM Racing World Finals in Singapore.

Team Mercury VN - An, Anthea, Gia Phu, Nam Anh, Siyun, and Subin showcased not only their technical expertise but also the collaboration, creativity, respect and determination that define our BIS community.

The STEM Racing in Schools programme is a global initiative that challenges students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by designing, building, and racing miniature Formula 1 cars powered by CO₂ canisters and manufactured from the official STEM Racing model block. Beyond the racetrack, teams are assessed by expert judges on their performance in areas such as design, innovation, project management, and enterprise, making it a true test of all-round STEM excellence.  

Over the course of four days, 83 teams from 34 countries competed under the scrutiny of a 90-strong panel of expert judges from the worlds of STEM, motorsport, marketing, education and industry. Judging criteria spanned across engineering, design, project management, enterprise, teamwork, verbal presentations and racing performance. It offers an inspiring platform for young innovators to explore real-world STEM applications – and Team Mercury truly made their mark on the world stage.

Team Mercury VN didn’t just compete – they triumphed. 

After four days of intense competition against 82 of the world’s best student teams, from 34 countries, Mercury VN, gave an impressive overall performance and were awarded the prestigious Autodesk Design & Make Award, recognising outstanding creativity, design and manufacturing.  They had close competition for the award with Team Zephyros from United Arab Emirates and Lunarfrom Australia also nominated for the award.

BIS HCMC could not be prouder of their students. Tracey Brownrigg, Whole School Co-curricular and Community Manager shared “I am so proud of Mercury VN, whose journey from early setbacks to international success reflects their creativity, resilience, and the transformative power of learning through experience”.

Student Reflections – A once-in-a-lifetime experience -directly from our students

Flashing red lights, silent anticipation, and the burst of CO₂ gas canisters encapsulate the excitement of the STEM Racing competition. The STEM Racing World Finals was a testament to the power of international STEM collaboration. No matter who you are—regardless of background, language, or nationality—we are all bound by the common threads of perseverance, passion, and an unwavering ambition for excellence. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us. We were given the unique opportunity to gain insights into the Formula 1 industry—one of the most exhilarating and high-tech trades. On this journey, we not only conferred with professionals in their respective fields, from enterprise and project management to engineering, but we also explored how these disciplines apply in real life. We formed new bonds and friendships with a diverse range of students, connecting and empathising over the challenges we faced on the road to the World Finals.
 
A prevailing highlight of this experience was winning the Autodesk Design and Make Award. The moment the Mercury VN logo appeared on the giant screen; we were swept up in a wave of disbelief. Lights flashed, cameras turned, and we leapt from our seats, fumbling for our flags and conical hats as we rushed toward the stage. Hearing renowned F1 commentator ‘Crofty’ announce our names felt surreal. There was pure, unbridled joy and pride—the screaming, the running, and the exhilaration of raising the Vietnamese flag on the STEM Racing stage. 
 

Our journey in Singapore was a powerful reminder that true success isn’t just measured in trophies—but in the courage to compete, the unity of a team, and the memories made along the way. The competition was much more than a race. It was a transformative journey filled with collaboration, discovery, and pride.

We all took took away unique lessons from the experience. Siyun reflected on the value of communication and collaboration, learning how vital open discussion and respect are within a team. Subin spoke of the thrill of seeing their hard work come to life as their car raced down the track, and of learning what it means to be an engineer – learning from failure, refining designs, and never giving up.

For Gia Phu, meeting like-minded peers from across the globe was the highlight: “It was incredible to connect with students who shared our passion for innovation. Working with others reminded me that communication and empathy are just as important as technical skill.”

An described the surreal joy of success: “We went in with no expectations, so to find ourselves competitive and ultimately win an award felt beyond belief. Just weeks earlier, it seemed impossible – yet there we were, representing Vietnam on the world stage.”

Anthea added that seeing the creativity and ingenuity of other teams was truly inspiring: “Their pit displays and engineering solutions reminded us of the innovation happening in schools all around the world.”

A thank you to our sponsors

We couldn’t have achieved this incredible milestone without the unwavering support of our sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to our Platinum Sponsor: TTC, and Gold Sponsors: Hoang An and Nestlé Milo. With your backing, we were proud to represent BIS and Vietnam on the global stage. Your belief in the team helped make this dream a reality, and we are deeply grateful for your partnership.

Months of dedication

This unforgettable moment not only celebrated months of dedication but also shone a spotlight on the extraordinary talent of BIS HCMC students on the international STEM stage

Team Mercury’s journey reflects the very best of BIS HCMC’s approach to learning – where curiosity meets creativity and students are encouraged to take bold risks, solve real-world problems, and collaborate beyond borders.

As one student noted, “We hope our achievements inspire a stronger focus on STEM education in Vietnam and show what young people here are capable of achieving.”

Their success is a reminder of how passion, teamwork, and perseverance can drive extraordinary results – both on and off the track.

Harry Starost, Business and Economics Teacher who with them every step of the way shared “It’s been amazing to see Mercury VN’s journey unfold - from initial sketches to the world stage. Their creativity, perseverance, and teamwork were outstanding throughout. They’ve set the bar high for future teams and shown what’s possible when students unite around a shared vision and purpose.”

A special surprise in Singapore

Team Mercury VN had an unforgettable moment during their race days in Singapore when a familiar face joined them trackside—our recently retired Principal, Anthony Rowlands, and his wife Philippa! Their surprise visit brought a wave of joy and motivation to the team.
Anthony was thrilled to witness the energy and excellence of our students in action, sharing: “What an absolute pleasure for us to experience and share the success of Team Mercury VN". Moments like these remind us that once part of the BIS HCMC community—always part of the journey.

From Singapore to success – welcome home!

After days of intense competition in Singapore, Team Mercury returned to BIS HCMC to a hero’s welcome! Students and staff celebrated their triumphant return. In a special moment with Principal Simon Higham, the team proudly showcased their trophy—proof of their determination, teamwork, and excellence. What a phenomenal achievement and an unforgettable journey!

Congratulations once again to Team Mercury on this incredible milestone – for your award, your teamwork, and for proudly representing both BIS HCMC and Vietnam on the global stage. You have inspired our entire community, proving that the pursuit of excellence begins with curiosity, collaboration, and courage.