An Overview of STEM Programming
Motorsports has become one of the most engaging vehicles (literally) for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Because racing visibly depends on physics, aerodynamics, data, and engineering, organizations use it as a “hook” to draw students into STEM — and to fill a real talent pipeline the industry needs. Here are the major programs.
STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools)
Motorsports has become one of the most engaging vehicles (literally) for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Because racing visibly depends on physics, aerodynamics, data, and engineering, organizations use it as a “hook” to draw students into STEM — and to fill a real talent pipeline the industry needs. Here are the major programs.The flagship global program. Rebranded from “F1 in Schools” in late 2024, it’s now an independent non-profit carrying the official “supported by Formula 1” designation.
Students aged 6–19 form teams of 3–6 that operate like a miniature F1 outfit — designing, manufacturing, testing, branding, and racing a CO₂-powered model car on a 20-meter track.
Students use real CAD/CAM/CAE tools, plus coding, computational fluid dynamics, and finite element analysis.
Roles span engineering, project management, marketing, and sponsorship — teams even raise and manage their own funds.
It runs in 50–65 countries and has reached over 1.2 million students; competition flows from regional to national to a World Finals (the 2025 edition was held in Singapore alongside the Grand Prix) (Formula 1, STEM Racing UK).
There’s a US branch at STEM Racing USA.
NASCAR STEM Initiatives
NASCAR runs several education efforts tied to stock car racing:
- NASCAR runs several education efforts tied to stock car racing: NASCAR
Kids / Acceleration Nation: Free K-8 racing-themed science lessons (in partnership with the National Science Teaching Association), focused on the “3 D’s of Speed” — Drag, Downforce, and Drafting (NSTA, PCMag). - MyFuture with Boys & Girls Clubs: Digital STEM experiences reaching 4.6M+ youth, with badges for completing challenges.
- “Racing with Rajah”: A virtual program (Microsoft + GM Motorsports + driver Rajah Caruth) for ages 12–15 using Azure tools to explore physics, mechanics, and AI race strategy.
NASCAR Hall of Fame field trips and NASCAR + National PAL youth programs (NASCAR Hall of Fame, National PAL).
Other Notable Programs
- IMSA STEM: Reached 14,000+ students across 420 schools in its 2025 rookie year; student awareness of engineering careers jumped 65 percentage points.
- Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS): 10-week programs for urban students ages 8–18, plus CNC machining, drone, and go-kart/iRacing pipelines with Chevy, Boeing, and NASCAR.
- NHRA YES (Youth and Education Services): Drag-racing-based STEM since 1989.
- Charlotte Motor Speedway STEAM: Daily hands-on stations tying motorsports to science, plus a ride on the 24-degree banking.
- STEM On Track (UK): Students build a full race kart, backed by the BWT Alpine F1 Team.
Why It Matters
The core rationale across all these: racing makes abstract STEM concepts tangible and exciting, while addressing a genuine workforce shortage. Most students don’t realize how many careers exist in racing beyond driving — engineering, data acquisition, materials science, marketing, and management.
STEM and WWF
The Wings and Wheels Foundation assists young drivers by teaching the fundamentals of racing as they apply to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, as well as other skills that advance their driving careers.
We Exist For Their Success
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Header graphic © Adobe Stock AI. Licensed and edited by A.D. Cook for editorial.
