About 400 Clark County School District middle-school students enrolled in STEM programs stepped onto the Formula 1 paddock on Wednesday, getting a rare behind-the-scenes look at how engineering, data and pit operations power a world-class race. Framed as a careers-focused learning day, the visit let students see how lessons in math, science and technology connect to high-tech roles in motorsports. For many, it was the first time classroom projects felt this close to real-world jobs.
400 CCSD middle schoolers had the opportunity to go out onto the F1 paddock the day before the event to learn about future career opportunities! These students are currently enrolled in STEM programs across the District. Thank you to our community part...
— Clark County School District (@ClarkCountySch) November 19, 2025
In a post on X, the Clark County School District said roughly 400 middle-school students from district STEM programs were taken onto the paddock the day before race activities to learn about future careers, according to Clark County School District. The post thanked community partners and race staff for arranging the behind-the-scenes access.
What Students Saw And Learned
CCSD and race organizers said the visit included guided pit-lane tours, a look inside team garages, a UNLV Rebel Racing car display and hands-on robotics demos from FIRST Nevada that tied directly to classroom STEM, according to CCSD's newsroom. Teachers and organizers told the district the sessions covered aerodynamics, materials science and data analysis as applied to race performance, helping students see career pathways in engineering and technology. Several students also had chances to ask questions of motorsport staff during the tours, organizers added.
Organizers Pitch It As A Careers Experience
Race officials say Community Day is meant to bring classroom studies to life and expose local kids to technical careers, and organizers noted that similar programming brought hundreds of students to Grand Prix Plaza last year. Formula1.com said last year's Community Day hosted hundreds of CCSD students and included Q&As, demos and pit walks. "We’re thrilled to create an experience that not only introduces students to the excitement of Formula 1 but also shows how many doors STEM education can open," race organizers said in a news release.
Why This Matters For Local STEM Pathways
Educators say first-hand experiences like the paddock tour can widen students' sense of possible careers, particularly for those who might not otherwise see engineering and data roles in action. The district's social post thanked partners for opening the track and framed the visit as part of broader efforts to connect CCSD STEM programs with industry, according to Clark County School District.
Race week programming continues across Grand Prix Plaza and the Fan Experience through the weekend, giving more local students and families chances to engage with STEM and community activations. District and race officials said they hope the partnerships will expand beyond race week to help build a longer-term pipeline from classroom to career.
