Daytona Beach, Florida — Sebastian Ray Serpa, a 16-year-old student from Volusia County, often walks past the famous Daytona International Speedway, hearing the thrilling sounds of race cars but had never actually entered the renowned venue known as the “World Center of Racing.”
However, all of that changed after a unique event held for talented students focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines. Following this eye-opening experience on Friday, Ray Serpa is now eagerly looking forward to attending his first motorsports event – the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) hosted a group of 27 high school students who excel in their STEM studies, aiming to enlighten these young minds about the various career opportunities within the motorsports industry linked to engineering, technology, and scientific principles.
Ray Serpa, who has a keen interest in mechanical engineering, was thoroughly impressed by what he learned. Initially contemplating a future in understanding human joint mechanics, after exploring multiple educational stations and touring the speedway, he now recognizes that motorsports also offers exciting possibilities for his career.
“This has been a real eye-opener for me,” he remarked. “I was aware there were numerous opportunities tied to different concepts, but I hadn’t grasped the full extent of how broad that range really is. There are countless applications requiring STEM skills. I met marketing professionals who studied mechanical engineering but found more fulfillment in marketing. I aspire to have a similar journey.”
This marks the inaugural year for IMSA’s STEM initiative within sports car racing, though its president, John Doonan, previously led a similar program while at Mazda. The program’s launch was made possible through sponsorship from Gainbridge, Konica Minolta, and EVERFi, the latter helping to develop the curriculum.
The participating students engaged in hands-on experiences at various stations around the track: they learned about physics and engineering at the Michelin Tire Center’s “Tires, Traction and Tread” session; data science and technology at the IMSA Engineering Center’s “Data-Driven Racing” station; material science at the IMSA Tech Inspection Area under “Engineering Safety”; and further explored physics and engineering concepts in the IMSA Technology Lab featuring the IMSA GTP Hybrid Electrified Race Car at Action Express Racing.
“What we’re creating here is like a laboratory—both for automakers and teams,” explained Doonan. “For these students to witness how classroom concepts are applied in a real-world scenario adds immense value to their education. They are some of the brightest students from Volusia County schools, and they represent our future. We plan to expand this to five more races this year and will also establish a website portal for educators and students to continue their learning.”
Doonan emphasized the real-time applications of subjects like algebra, calculus, physics, and chemistry to inspire the young learners. Excitedly, the teachers in attendance echoed him, celebrating their students’ newfound understanding of these subjects.
Amy Monahan, a K-12 STEM Specialist from Volusia County Schools, shared that the students attending the program were chosen by their teachers for demonstrating dedication and perseverance in their pursuits. One student mentioned that before the event, he was considering a military career after high school but now sees potential opportunities within motorsports.
“This program aims to showcase the various opportunities available to these students, especially knowing this event is happening right in their community,” Monahan stated. “Many believe military service or trades are their only options, but they often are unaware of other choices. For many, this was their first experience with a race, and understanding the array of possibilities before them is an incredible benefit.”
