Digital twin racetrack from Synopsys hits the grid for STEM Racing with NVIDIA Omniverse

New workflow gives student teams virtual aerodynamics testing and racetrack simulation ahead of the 2025–2026 season.

Synopsys has introduced a digital twin racetrack experience for STEM Racing (formerly F1 in Schools), pairing Ansys Discovery with NVIDIA Omniverse to let students test miniature F1 car designs virtually.

Synopsys is a provider of engineering solutions from silicon to systems, while Ansys, now part of Synopsys, supplies simulation software. STEM Racing runs middle and high school competitions in 65 countries, and Synopsys says more than 400,000 students receive complimentary access to advanced simulation tools, learning resources, and technical support.

Using Discovery, teams explore aerodynamics and interpret CFD behavior; data can then be visualized in Omniverse to see airflow in real time. A simplified demonstration is available at the STEM Racing World Finals, allowing younger students to modify preset parts such as spoiler designs and observe performance changes.

Access, timing, and what students can do

For the 2025–2026 season, demo days before each major race will provide access to a more advanced workflow. Teams can upload custom car designs, run CFD analysis in Discovery, and integrate with Omniverse to refine models before physical racing. The release positions the approach as hands-on exposure to CAD, CAE, and simulation skills that connect to future study in engineering and related fields.

Andrew Denford, founder and chairman at STEM Racing, says, “Synopsys' specialized simulation & analysis tools have already transformed the way our student teams approach STEM learning. And this new virtual STEM Racing track will enhance that experience even more. Enabling students to explore complex concepts such as aerodynamic drag and iterative design in an immersive and engaging environment will strengthen their practical engineering skills — not only will this deliver real performance gains on the physical racetrack, but it will also prepare them for success in advanced degree programs and future STEM careers.”

Partner views on simulation and skills

Tim Costa, GM for industrial and computational engineering at NVIDIA, adds, “Deploying physics-accurate digital twins of racing environments represent the state-of-the-art within motorsport, allowing teams to optimize their cars for the unique characteristics of each racetrack and achieve minimum possible lap-times. By connecting NVIDIA Omniverse libraries with Discovery, alongside Synopsys' advanced design and AI-driven capabilities, the digital twin racetrack delivers a physically accurate environment where students can experiment with different vehicle designs and optimize for real-world performance through simulation alone.”

This announcement follows an agreement for Synopsys to license, sell, and support Omniverse libraries embedded in its simulation and analysis solutions. Antonio Varas, chief strategy officer at Synopsys, says, “The collaboration between Synopsys and STEM Racing proves that STEM is about creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem solving. In fact, research shows that grade-level students exposed to hands-on STEM experiences are more likely to pursue STEM careers. This initiative reflects Synopsys' deep commitment to childhood STEM education, helping students build confidence with complex topics and encouraging lifelong learning, while igniting excitement for a potential career in STEM.”

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