STEM Racing’s Andrew Denford joins F1’s 75th anniversary celebrations at Downing Street
Founder of STEM Racing and Denford Ltd recognized for role in growing global STEM education through motorsport, as Silverstone prepares for landmark British Grand Prix.
Photo credit: STEM Racing
We’re huge fans of F1 at ETIH headquarters, and with Silverstone hosting the British Grand Prix this weekend to mark 75 years of Formula 1, it was announced in a LinkedIn post that Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of STEM Racing, joined drivers, team principals, and world champions at a special event at 10 Downing Street.
Denford attended as a representative of STEM Racing, formerly known as F1 in Schools, and was recognized for his contribution to education through motorsport.
The initiative, supported by Formula 1, now operates in more than 65 countries and is delivered in over 29,000 schools.
“Andrew represented ‘STEM Racing supported by Formula 1’ among key voices from across the industry to highlight the UK’s leadership in motorsport, and the importance of inspiring the next generation of engineers, innovators, and change-makers,” the STEM Racing post read.
From engineering to education
Image credit: Denford
Denford is also Chairman of Denford, a British manufacturing company that designs and produces CNC machines, laser cutters, and 3D printers for education and training.
The company’s equipment supports schools and colleges worldwide and plays a central role in the delivery of STEM Racing’s applied learning model.
Founded in 2000, the STEM Racing (F1 in Schools) Challenge targets students aged 9 to 19, combining CAD/CAM design, CNC machining, and team-based project work. It has since become one of the most globally recognized STEM education initiatives linked to sport.
A recent case study from Denford highlighted its collaboration with Harlow College, where the program is embedded into the enrichment curriculum. The college has invested in five Denford Router 2600 Pro machines, air trace systems, and a STEM Racing track, using the equipment across engineering modules and regional competitions.
Robert McGowan, Engineering Learning Coordinator at Harlow College, says, “The high build quality of the machines, combined with easy-to-use software, makes them an ideal choice for introducing students to CAD/CAM processes and CNC manufacturing.”
Hands-on technical learning at scale
The integration of STEM Racing into Harlow’s curriculum enables learners across all disciplines, not just STEM subjects, to engage with engineering tools and real-world project delivery. The program supports skills development in CAD, CNC coding, aerodynamics, budgeting, sponsorship, and marketing, providing a structured pathway from school to industry-relevant careers.
Students are introduced to manufacturing processes such as PCB fabrication and G-code programming, progressing from basic tool instructions to advanced control of Cartesian and rotary systems.
According to the case study, the program's structure helps learners develop both technical and soft skills, including presentation, report writing, and team collaboration.
McGowan notes that the program plays a broader role in shaping campus culture, “STEM Racing is embedded into the college’s enrichment programme, giving all learners—the opportunity to take part. The programme has become a vital part of the college’s learning culture, enabling STEM students to apply their classroom learning in a creative and competitive environment.”
