On January 9th 2020, Formula Female visited White River Park kart racing circuit with Coláiste Ghlór na Mara for the Go Girls Karting & STEM experience day. 30 female students from 2nd, 3rd and 4th year took part in the experience day learning all about Motorsport, including driving experiences, data logger construction with live telemetry and the pit-stop challenge.
It was yet another brilliant day out with really engaging students. Lots was learned and lots of questions were asked.
The pit-stop challenge always brings out the competitiveness in the students, but its their ability to work together in a team that is crucial to achieving a good time.
Coláiste Ghlór na Mara nailed it when it came to teamwork and precision when they set a new Pitstop Challenge record of 39.2 seconds, beating the current record of 40.9s.
Nicci Daly: “We are delighted to see the initiative capture the interest of these young students and particularly listening to their feedback of how to get involved further in the sport.”
Quotes from the event from one of the Pit-stop Challenge record setters:
“I remember saying to my parents when I was younger that I wanted to be a mechanic and they thought I was joking. I didn’t think about it much more since then but after doing the pit stop challenge, I’d really love to be a mechanic. Changing the wheels was so fun!”
Other quotes included:
“I was surprised at how good a driver I actually am and how interesting the STEM subjects in this sport are”
“I found the engineering quite interesting when before, I would have found it boring!”
“I found the engineering interesting today because of how it works and what we saw on the live telemetry is the same as the Formula 1 people in the pitlane”
“I learned so much about Motorsport that I never knew before. What I enjoyed most is that we were participating and competing in the activities!”
“I thought that the driving would be the only fun part, but learning about the engineering, science and maths behind it was also fun!”
“I found the engineering & the pit stop challenge surprising, because I enjoyed them more than I thought.”
“How can i get involved in this sport more regularly? I loved it and really want to get into driving”
Reading the above quotes, it is fair to say that the Formula Female Go Girls initiative is doing exactly what it set out to so- showing young females that a career in STEM is a viable option for them.
The Go Girls STEM initiative is available to any girls’ school, for any groups ages 13 and over. It is run by Irish Hockey star and Motorsport Engineer Nicci Daly and funded by Sport Ireland and CJJ Motorsports. If you would like more information or to enquire about an event for your school, you can contact the Formula Female team HERE
Motorsport Ireland | Cjj Motorsports | Griffith College Dublin | Tillotson Racing | 20x20.ie | Sport Ireland | STEM SOUTH WEST | Smart Futures | STEM | STEMeducation | FIA - Women in Motorsport | Women in Technology | John Campion | Suzanne Bonnici Campion
