STEM on Track is supported by BWT Alpine Formula One Team
There is a moment every teacher and parent knows all too well. It’s the exact second a young person looks up from a textbook, completely disconnected, and asks the ultimate defensive question: “When am I ever actually going to use this in real life?”
When science and math exist purely as abstract equations on a whiteboard, it is incredibly easy for students to switch off. But when you take those identical formulas, hand a team of students a chassis, a set of tools, and tell them they are going to build a functional, track-ready racing kart from the ground up? The lightbulbs go on.
That is the exact philosophy behind STEM on Track, a brilliant initiative powered by the Espire Education Group. And on Saturday, 20th June 2026, their incredible journey comes full circle right here at Whilton Mill Kart Circuit for the national STEM & Futures Fair
Encouraging the future of STEM professionals through hands-on experience
What is STEM on Track?
Developed by Espire Education, STEM on Track is a year-long national education programme for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students. It is designed to bridge the massive gap between classroom theory and real-world execution through three distinct, unmissable phases:
BUILD: Students collaborate in teams to construct a real, petrol-powered racing kart from the chassis up. No prior mechanical experience is required.
LEARN: While building, students dive into Espire’s digital Race Academy platform, which hosts over 50 curriculum-linked STEM modules. They learn the exact physics of weight distribution, the chemistry of combustion, and the geometry of steering angles.
RACE: The entire academic year builds toward the ultimate grand finale—the National Finals right here at Whilton Mill.
Backled nationally by the BWT Alpine Formula One Team, this programme doesn’t just simulate what an engineering career looks like; it provides the actual vehicle.
Apply the theory learnt to on-track action to out-wit your opponents
The Perfect Driver: The Whilton Mill Connection
At Whilton Mill, our own Academy programme focuses heavily on developing the “ideal driver.” A truly competitive driver isn’t just someone with a heavy right foot; they are an individual who grasps the foundational mechanical theories, understands how adjustments affect the kart’s behaviour, and can apply that knowledge to secure a win on track.
STEM on Track instills that precise mindset. Beyond the driver’s seat, the project requires an entire team to function.Students take on specialised roles mirroring a professional racing outfit: data analysis, mechanical engineering, project management, and even content creation and media management to secure local team sponsorships.
The programme aims to challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering
What to Expect: Saturday 20th June 2026
Whether you are a prospective parent, a teacher looking to inspire your next cohort, or a motorsport fan, this full-day event is a massive showcase of young talent and industry innovation.
The Morning: The STEM & Futures Fair
Step into our paddock to explore hands-on activities, live technology demonstrations, and direct career pathways. Leading STEM and motorsport organisations will be on-site seeking out the next generation of industry talent. Previous exhibitors have included the Alpine F1 Team, LFC Foundation, Smallpiece Trust, and Creative Hut—and this year’s lineup promises to be even bigger.
You’ll have the chance to sit in on live panels and talks from industry insiders covering everything from breaking into engineering, navigating diversity in STEM, to the rapidly changing future of automotive technology
The Afternoon: The National Finals
Once the morning insight sessions wrap up, the real drama unfolds on the tarmac. Over 100 school teams from across the country will line up on the grid, put their custom-built karts to the test, and compete head-to-head for the coveted title of STEM on Track Champion. You will see strategy, teamwork, and months of engineering dedication culminate in high-stakes, thrilling racing.
Experience the excitement of the National Finals on Saturday
Key Learning Outcomes For Schools
If you are an educator considering bringing Espire’s programme to your school or academy trust for the next academic year, this event is the perfect window into the curriculum benefits. The framework actively delivers on crucial educational benchmarks:
Challenging Stereotypes: Showing the true diversity of people, disciplines, and skills that keep a modern racing team moving forward.
Early Employability: Developing resilience, complex problem-solving, communication, and leadership early in life.
Cross-Curricular Topics: Touching on core elements of engineering, sport and fitness, materials, manufacturing, design, and transport.
Over 100 schools will compete for the STEM on Track Champion title
Join Us Trackside
The event has 500 limited free tickets, offering an incredible opportunity to see young minds engineering their own futures.
Come down to Whilton Mill on June 20th, support the teams, and witness exactly what happens when classroom theory meets real-world horsepower.
Prices:
General Admission Ticket: £10 + £0.25 processing fee
Junior Ticket (Under 12): FREE
VIP Ticket: £65.50 + £1.64 processing fee
Volunteer Ticket: £25.00
Competition Shortlist Ticket: £120.00 + £3.00 processing fee
Get your tickets here: https://www.stemontrack.com/event-details/stem-on-track-national-finals-2026