STEM Racing | Digital Jersey

Primary Programme
Secondary Programme
Story so far
Resources & Support
STEM Racing podcast with C5 Alliance
See What It’s All About

Introduction to STEM Racing

Digital Jersey, is excited to offer school students in Jersey the chance to design, build, and race their own small-scale F1 car through the global STEM Racing competition. As the Centre of Excellence for this programme, we help students develop essential STEM skills, along with experience in teamwork, engineering and marketing. Students gain hands-on experience and connect with industries shaping the future of technology.

Thank you to our sponsor, C5

We are proud to be supported by C5 Alliance, whose commitment to innovation and technology helps make STEM Racing possible.

Why STEM Racing?

Encourages STEM engagement through real-world application
Builds confidence, communication, and leadership
Offers a platform for creativity and innovation
Opens doors to careers in engineering, design, and technology

Primary Programme (Ages 9–11)

As of 2025, Digital Jersey is expanding its Stem Racing programme to younger students on the Island. Primary students now get the chance to understand the basics of engineering by designing their own mini F1 car. These designs are typically simple models, primarily made from paper or card, and are powered by compressed air canisters (CO2 cartridges). It’s a hands-on, fun programme designed to boost confidence and creativity.

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What it Entails

Design & Build: Students use templates and classroom tools to create their own paper race cars.
Teamwork & Creativity: Pupils work in teams, learning collaboration, problem-solving, and presentation skills.
Regional Event: The programme culminates in the Jersey Primary Regional Event, where teams showcase their cars and compete in a friendly race.
Mentorship Opportunities: Older students from secondary schools are encouraged to mentor primary teams, fostering cross-age collaboration and leadership

Resource and Materials

Every primary school participating in the programme will receive a Design Resource Kit. This kit has everything students need to design and build their cars right in their own classroom.
STEM Racing offers an online hub packed with helpful resources and downloads, including tips, tricks, and, most importantly, the Design Requirements document for students to follow.

Launch & Timeline

Student Launch Event – 15th September 2026
Support Session – 20th October 2026
Support Session – 18th November 2026
Primary Regionals – 20th January 2027

Watch The Primary Highlights Video

See the energy from Jersey’s first STEM Racing Primary Finals. From design to race day, students brought their ideas to life and competed in a fast-paced final.

Watch the highlights to see the creativity, teamwork, and excitement in action.

Secondary Programme (Ages 11–18)

The secondary programme, part of the global F1in Schools competition, gives students the chance to step into the world of engineering and design. Working in teams, they take on the full process, from designing and testing to building and racing their own miniature F1-style cars using digital tools and real manufacturing equipment.

Alongside the technical work, teams create their own brand, pitch for sponsorship, and present their projects at competitive events.

Get Involved!

What it Entails

Four Competition Classes:
- Entry Class (11–14): Simple foam or 3D-printed cars
- Development Class (11–18): Intermediate design and build
- Professional Class (14–18): Advanced engineering and marketing
CAD & Manufacturing: Teams use free 3D modelling software and receive manufacturing tokens to access Digital Jersey’s tools (e.g. 3D printers, CNC cutters)
Business & Branding: Students develop portfolios, seek sponsorship, and present their brand at the Jersey Regionals.
Regional & National Pathways: Top teams may qualify for UK Nationals and even world finals.

Key Dates

Student Launch Event – 15th September 2026
Support Session – 20th October 2026
Support Session – 18th November 2026
Secondary Regionals – 21st January

From Jersey to Singapore

The top 4 teams from Jersey compete in the UK Nationals, from there, standout teams have the chance to qualify for the F1 in Schools World Finals, held in Singapore in 2025, where they’ll compete against teams from across the globe.

See the Global Stage

STEM Racing gives Jersey students the chance to compete alongside the best young engineers in the world. Watch highlights from the F1 in Schools World Finals to see the scale, creativity, and ambition behind the global competition.

Watch the World Finals overview video

The Story So Far

Every year, the STEM Racing programme brings together students, teachers, and industry mentors from across the island. The results? Fast cars, bold ideas, and strong teamwork.

From the Classroom to the Track

Secondary school students across Jersey recently completed the F1 in Schools (now STEM racing) regional competition, where they designed, built, and raced miniature F1 cars. Led by Digital Jersey and Skills Jersey, the initiative helped students develop key STEM skills, teamwork, and project management.

13 teams from a range of secondary schools and the Jersey air cadets, with the top teams advancing to the UK National Finals at MAGNA Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham. The winners also have the chance to reach the F1 in Schools World Finals in 2025.

Over the four-month programme, around 100 students worked on their CO2-powered cars, supported by Digital Jersey’s team and access to specialist equipment. The competition included a racing event and a chance to showcase designs to judges, with awards given for creativity, marketing, and presentation skills. This programme aligns with Destination STEM, offering students valuable opportunities to explore STEM careers and build essential skills for the future.

STEM Racing podcast with C5 Alliance

See What It’s All About

Secondary School Jersey Regionals 2026

Secondary School Jersey Regionals 2025

What students and teachers say

As soon as I saw where this could take us, it was just a yes - I want to do this and have this journey with a lot of my friends. To building a team, to push this as far as we can. It’s a great opportunity for everybody.

We’ve come across various stumbling blocks along the way, but that’s helped them really develop a team spirit. It helped them to develop skills with their CAD work. In terms of their enjoyment, they loved the process and seeing their cars come to life.

I think it was great to see everything come together. The whole brand and building the car was a lot of fun. I love engineering so it never felt like work when I did it.

It covers such a diverse range of different activities that they can do. They can build up skills with pitching, to be able to speak to corporations, as well as developing their use of computers and CAD.

I found it amazing and I think it's really professional up here with what they do with Digital Jersey. They don’t treat it like a kids' competition, more of a commercial activity.

STEM Racing Jersey Highlights

FAQs

Who can participate in STEM Racing programme?

Teams aged 11-19 can join the secondary STEM racing programme by registering for Entry, Dev, or Pro Class. Primary school students aged 9-11 can also participate through school-led initiatives.

When are the next Regionals?

Secondary School Regionals – Wednesday 10th December 2025

Primary Class Regionals – Friday 27th February 2026

When does registration open?

School registration will open on 19th June 2025, allowing teachers to enrol their schools in the programme. Teams can complete initial registration in July 2025.

Is there a cost to participate in the programme?

Digital Jersey and Skills Jersey do not charge any fees. However, participants are required to pay a participation and regional fee to STEM Racing, which is a nonprofit organisation.

What CAD software should I use?

We recommend using On shape and Fusion 360 – they are free software for educators and students.

Make sure to attend the Fusion CAD training with Autodesk on the following dates:

May 3, 2025 08:00 AM
May 17, 2025 08:00 AM
May 24, 2025 08:00 AM

Get Involved!

What are the rules and regulations for the programme?

Please view STEM racing website which provides rules and regulations documents for each class. There is also a guide to help with regional competition preparation.

How can I volunteer or contribute to this programme?

Please reach out to STEMracing@digital.je with how you would like to get involved.