Sports car racing being a high-tech sport, IMSA paddocks and racetracks throughout North America are naturally real-world, high-intensity examples of STEM – Science, Engineering, Technology and Math. IMSA has announced a new partnership with Gainbridge that will bring STEM curriculum to high school students in select IMSA race marketing beginning in 2025.
The IMSA STEM program will include multiple schools in each selected race market. Gainbridge’s involvement in motorsports is well-established, and this partnership underscores its dedication to the sport, its fans and their communities.
“Gainbridge is no stranger to North American motorsports with high-profile programs in other disciplines, but this unique opportunity to partner with IMSA and bring STEM education to high school students takes our involvement in the sport to a new level,” said Gainbridge Chief of Sponsorship Strategy & Activation Mike Nichols.
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“This partnership supports our mission to transform communities through sports and education.”
Selected students in each market also will have the hands-on opportunity to visit their local IMSA event and hear from team engineers, drivers, manufacturers, corporate partners and IMSA officials to see real-world applications of what they’ve learned online and in school.
“STEM education and the opportunity to introduce IMSA to the next generation of engineers, mechanics, business leaders, and others who will play a fundamental role in the future of our sport has long been a passion of mine,” said IMSA President John Doonan.
“With the support we now have from Gainbridge, we are finally able to bring the IMSA STEM program to life. We are proud to welcome Gainbridge as a cornerstone partner of IMSA STEM and grateful for their partnership in launching this vitally important program. We look forward to other IMSA partners also joining in support.”
The bespoke IMSA STEM curriculum has been developed in conjunction with EVERFI, which works with more than 60,000 teachers and their schools throughout the country – providing interactive, game-based lessons and helping students thrive in an ever-changing world – all at no cost to the schools, teachers or students.
Curriculum will be based on the unique elements that drive the sport, bringing STEM concepts to life for students in school and at the racetrack. The program will be scenario-based and rooted in careers in motorsports and technology industries and provided at no cost to the schools, teachers, or students.
The first IMSA STEM experience will take place in January 2025 in conjunction with the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the launch of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Additional details and race markets will be revealed at a later date.