Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes; April 24, 2026.—This April, the Aguascalientes Universidad Panamericana of Universidad Panamericana hosted the Bajío Norte regional competition of STEM Racing, an international educational program inspired by Formula 1 that aims to introduce high school students to the world of science, technology, and engineering through hands-on experiences.
STEM Competition: Learning Based on Formula 1
During the event, teams from different states across the country participated by simulating the operations of a professional racing team. They designed, built, and raced CO₂-powered scale model cars, in addition to developing business, marketing, and project management strategies.
Cecilia Dena Jiménez, a professor in the School of Engineering at the Universidad Panamericana the event coordinator, highlighted the educational value of the program:
“It’s a competition that encourages high school students to explore the worlds of engineering, mathematics, science, technology, business, and marketing through a project. It’s project-based learning, but centered around Formula 1, because it’s a very engaging topic,” he said.
Each team, made up of students aged 14 to 19, operates like a real racing team. They establish their identity, seek sponsors, develop their vehicle, and present their project to a panel of expert judges.
More Than Just Speed: A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Teams
The competition isn't just about speed on the track. As Carlos Balderas, STEM Racing's competition director in Mexico, explained, overall performance is key. “It’s not just the fastest team on the track that wins, but the one that scores the most points across all evaluations. Engineering, entrepreneurship, oral presentation, and project management,” he said.
The competition brought together institutions from various states, establishing Aguascalientes as a strategic hub for the STEM Racing program in Mexico. The teams competed for a spot in the national round, where the country’s best projects will be showcased.
The event featured various stages, including technical evaluations, project presentations, an exhibition of booths, and the highly anticipated track races, where the cars—powered by small CO₂ cartridges—cover approximately 20 meters in a fraction of a second.
Beyond the competition, STEM Racing fosters the development of key skills for students’ future careers. According to Professor Cecilia Dena, STEM Racing promotes both technical and personal skills. “The students develop skills that go beyond the classroom. They learn public speaking, teamwork, resource management, and how to tackle real-world challenges. It’s a very rapid and meaningful growth process, ” she said.
Universidad Panamericana Innovation
During the closing ceremony, the dean of the Universidad Panamericana Aguascalientes Universidad Panamericana , Antonio de los Reyes Moreno, highlighted the importance of such initiatives for the well-rounded education of students. Universidad Panamericana an honor for the Universidad Panamericana to have hosted STEM Racing Mexico 2026, an international program that exemplarily promotes education through science, technology, and innovation.”
He also emphasized that the event goes beyond mere competition, as it reflects a comprehensive training process. “We have seen the results of a rigorous training process in which each team integrated technical knowledge, organizational skills, and communication abilities, within a framework that closely mirrors the operations of a professional racing team.”
Finally, he acknowledged the participants’ commitment and their role in shaping the future. “You have shown that knowledge truly comes into its own when it is put to use in creating and solving real-world problems,” he concluded.
Beyond the competition, STEM Racing fosters the development of key skills for students' future careers.
“This initiative aims to change the way young people view science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, drawing inspiration from the world of Formula 1,” said Balderas.
On the way to the national and international finals
The teams with the highest scores in this stage will advance to the national finals, with the chance to represent Mexico in the global competition, which takes place as part of a Formula 1 Grand Prix.
