Ethara and Adnoc have renewed their long-standing partnership for the Adnoc Yas in Schools national programme and inaugurated the world’s first dedicated ‘F1 in Schools’ facility – the Adnoc Yas in Schools Experience Centre.

This state-of-the-art venue, based at the home of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, is designed to host schools from across the UAE as part of this national academic programme — with the backdrop of the world-famous Yas Marina Circuit track providing a unique inspiration to the fondly dubbed ‘Engineers of the Future’ Centre.

Now in its 15th edition, the Yas in Schools programme, marks 1 million hours of student learning since 2010, with 58,330 students from 1,123 schools nationwide having participated since 2019.

As a youth-focused initiative which provides students a pathway into a project-based STEM learning program, it allows participants six years and older to apply their skills within science, technology, engineering and mathematics to design their own F1-inspired racing brand and build a model racing car to compete in the national finals held at the end of each school year.

Saif Al Falahi, Executive Vice President of Adnoc Group Business Support and Special Tasks, said: "The success of the Yas in Schools programme is testament to Adnoc’s commitment to investing in the learning and development of our children, particularly in STEM education.

“We are very pleased to extend our partnership with Ethara and inaugurate the first F1 dedicated experience centre that will provide students with new and exciting challenges, stimulate creative thinking and encourage them to explore STEM career pathways.”

The 2024 Yas in Schools programme has more than 20,000 students participating across its Formula Ethara, F1 in Schools and 4x4 in Schools categories, with the interest and engagement in STEM learning at an all-time high in the region.

The partnership extension will see programme updates to further empower UAE students within STEM across evolving and emerging technologies such as AI, with the Yas in Schools Experience Centre serving as the programmes research and development hub. – TradeArabia News Service