IMSA Launches Enhanced STEM Program for Students at 2025 Racing Events
IMSA's STEM program is expanding its educational outreach in 2025, offering students unprecedented access to professional motorsport operations during race weekends. The initiative launched at the Roar Before The Rolex 24 at Daytona, involving 30 high school students from Port Orange's Spruce Creek and Atlantic High Schools.
STEM students posing together
Students participated in comprehensive paddock tours, visiting key technical facilities including:
- Michelin's tire compound
- IMSA Engineering Center
- IMSA Tech Inspection Area
- IMSA Technology Lab
- Action Express Racing's GTP garage
The program provided direct interaction with industry professionals, including:
- Jim Fowler, IMSA supervising official
- Chris Mitchum, Action Express' operations director
- Aaron Pfeifer, Cadillac's LMDh tech lead
- John Doonan, IMSA President
IMSA partnered with EVERFI, which works with over 60,000 teachers nationwide, to develop the curriculum. The program combines hands-on experience with interactive, game-based lessons, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in real-world racing environments.
"This is a laboratory for automakers, Michelin, and all teams involved," said IMSA President John Doonan. "Seeing classroom concepts applied in a real-world environment is invaluable for these students."
The initiative, supported by Gainbridge and Konica Minolta, will continue throughout the 2025 season, featuring additional student experiences at selected IMSA race events. A web portal will be available for educators and students to follow up on their learning experiences after the events.