Thousands of young people around the world are to be inspired to get involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) by a new collaboration between Formula 1® and the British Council.
The year-long Learning Sectors programme, starting in January 2025, will work with young people aged 7 to 16 in 700 schools across Brazil, India, South Africa, and the UK, reaching more than 130,000 students.
In India, South Africa, and the UK, schools will team up with a counterpart in one of the other countries, with students working together on F1 inspired STEM projects for the duration of the school term.
In Brazil, schools will take part in separate coding-related activity to help students develop critical skills in science and technology.
Accessibility forms one of the central pillars of Learning Sectors, with resources designed to be incorporated into the everyday classroom curriculum, so all students can participate in the activities.
The British Council will work closely with its global network to support the programme’s delivery and maximise impact, whilst Formula 1 will utilise its network of engineers and key professionals, to give students a better understanding of STEM subjects and further bring the sport to life.
Registration for the 2025 Learning Sectors programme is now open.
As the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities, the British Council has delivered meaningful education programmes around the world for 90 years. Learning Sectors will foster strong international connections between the participating schools and give students the opportunity to learn about different cultures and collaborate with their peers across borders.
Learning Sectors is the latest education programme supported by Formula 1 as part of the sport’s wider commitment to inspiring the next generation and leaving a positive legacy. Other initiatives include a formal partnership with Mission 44, a charity set up by Lewis Hamilton, to advocate for greater representation, diversity, and inclusion in motorsport to create meaningful change for young people facing social injustice through education, empowerment, and employment opportunities, and the Formula 1 Engineering Scholarship, which covers the entire tuition and living costs of undergraduates from underrepresented groups. To date, it has supported 30 students since its launch in 2021 and will support 50 in total by 2025. Additionally, more than 400 UK secondary school students have taken part in F1’s STEM Challenge Days workshops, which sees experts from across the sport come together to get students excited about STEM subjects and show them how they are applied in a motorsport career.
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “Education forms the foundation of Formula 1. It is from the great minds of talented engineers, scientists and mechanics that the sport has evolved to become the pinnacle of innovation and technology. Formula 1 is incredibly proud to launch The Learning Sectors programme alongside the British Council, which will reach hundreds of thousands of children and young people across hundreds of schools in Brazil, India, South Africa and the UK. We look forward to working with the British Council to bring Formula 1 directly into the classroom and ignite a passion for STEM in the next generation.”
Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, said: “At the British Council, creating opportunities for young people has been at the heart of our mission for the last 90 years. We are delighted to be working with Formula 1 to support more young people develop the knowledge, skills and passion necessary for careers in science, technology, and engineering. With almost three quarters of young people worldwide lacking the skills to thrive in future employment, it has never been more important to break down barriers to their future careers.”