Goodwood’s Festival of Speed inspires the next generation with dedicated STEM day

Published 26th August 2025

Goodwood’s Festival of Speed welcomed 1,000 students to its grounds on Thursday 10th July 2025 for a day dedicated to science, technology, engineering and maths. The annual STEM day gave pupils the chance to immerse themselves in the festival, explore the latest motorsport innovations and take part in tailored experiences designed to spark curiosity and ambition.

Central to the day was FOS Future Lab, presented by Randox, where students were able to engage with cutting-edge robotics and explore an interactive exhibition showcasing the future of technology. The new podcast-style studio within Future Lab hosted a design workshop from the E1 Series as well as a discussion on accessibility in racing, led by representatives from E1 Series, Extreme H and Mission 44. These sessions were created specifically with STEM students in mind, offering unique insight into the design challenges and opportunities shaping the future of motorsport.

This year also saw the launch of the festival’s first dedicated STEM Lab, presented by EDB in partnership with Atlassian Williams Racing. The space gave pupils a hands-on experience of what it takes to pursue a career in Formula 1 engineering, following in the footsteps of their inspiring STEM education programme.

Alongside the exhibitions, The Goodwood Education Trust hosted a series of engaging STEM Seminars. Curated by Dick Powell and led by industry leaders, these sessions were designed to motivate secondary school students by showing how STEM can be applied in real-world careers.

Applications for the 2026 STEM Programme will open on Monday 6^th October 2025. The initiative welcomes applicants aged 11–16 from all schools, with a particular focus on offering opportunities to those who might not ordinarily be able to attend. Eligibility is based on the percentage of free school meals, and the programme also provides grants to support transport costs.

Through the dedicated STEM day, Festival of Speed continues to provide a unique platform for students to discover, question and imagine how design, engineering and technology can shape their futures.