The Mercedes Formula 1 team has announced that it will partner a new STEM Academy launched by the Mulberry Schools Trust to offer an extra-circular programme of the STEM subjects.
The programme will be made available to students aged between the ages of 7 and 18 within the Mulberry family of schools, where they will receive a “comprehensive and integrated curriculum” in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.
As part of the launch on Wednesday, six-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff attended a virtual event, where they were quizzed by Mulberry students.
A majority of the Mulberry students come from Black, Asian and minority ethnic and disadvantaged backgrounds, with data showing that students do not routinely enter degree courses and apprenticeships in STEM subjects.
As part of Mercedes pledge in 2020 to increase its involvement with the push for stronger diversity within its team, it is hoped that through the programme, graduates will leave with a desire to follow a career path involving STEM subjects and also be potential future employees for the Mercedes team.
“It’s so important that, as a sport, we do all that we can to ensure we are as inclusive as possible,” said Hamilton.
“Increasing young people’s access to STEM and, ultimately, paving the way to careers in our industry is a brilliant way to do this.
“Creating a sport that is more representative of society is something very personal and important to me, and this partnership shows a real commitment from Mercedes to build a legacy that goes beyond motorsport.
“Providing young people from diverse and often disadvantaged backgrounds with the confidence and resources to implement change in their own lives is one of the strongest tools that we have to build a fairer and more equal future.”
Mercedes’ Toto Wolff added that the partnership is a “deeply important project for us” and is the result of a “great deal of thought into how best we might make a lasting contribution to promoting diversity and inclusion within our industry”.
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