Girlstart wins big! STEM stars score €100,000 as F1's first US community champions

 

Girlstart, a US based non-profit empowering girls in STEM and Formula One (F1), in partnership with Allwyn, a global lottery operator plus F1 sponsor. Has been announced as the first ever US recipient of the F1 Allwyn Global Community award which recognises outstanding community impact in education and inclusion. The award includes a €100,00 donation to support Girlstart’s programs.

Celebrating and supporting Girlstart’s mission of inspiring girls in STEM fields aligning with F1’s Drive for Change initiative and Allwyn’s commitment to education, equity as well as community development.

Ellen Jones, Head of ESG at F1, said: “Girlstart is a great initiative that both inspires young women interested in STEM subjects and gives them access to pursue their dreams, so we’re delighted they have won the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award.”

The national organisation aims to empower young girls, from all backgrounds to explore STEM through an extensive out of school programme that features hands on STEM camps, conferences and activities.

Reaching more than 1,800 girls aged nine to 14 in Texas each year, Girlstart has worked closely with F1, COTA and F1 supported charities for several years to bring STEM to life through a range of engaging activities.

Katarina Kohlmayer, Allwyn Group CFO and F1 Allwyn Global Community Award judge, said: “At Allwyn, we champion those who take chances but we understand it’s much easier to pursue your dreams if you have the skills and confidence to success as well as opportunities and role models to inspire you.”

Over the next 12 months, the donation from Allwyn will enable Girlstart to support its ambitious activities, including 33 weekly hands on STEM after school programmes, 16 week long summer camps and the Austin Girls in STEM conference, benefiting an additional 1,250 girls to those who are already impacted from their community projects.

This weekend, Girlstart will be on site at the Grand Prix for another packed itinerary of experiences such as trophy design competition.

F1 Allwyn Global Community Award winner, Shane Woods, Girlstart, said: “Allwyn’s donation will make such a difference, ensuring we have the necessary supplies, staff and training to expand our programme over the next year and increase the number of girls we can inspire for the future.”

Which sees the group create custom F1 trophies to be judged and awarded by drivers and an on track relay race where the girls will go head to head with other athletes plus engineers.

Established as part of Allwyn’s multi-year partnership with F1, the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award aims to recognise the outstanding contributions to society that F1 linked initiatives are making in their country.

Jones, said: “Their commitment will have a profound effect on many of the young girls they support by helping them towards a career in STEM and motorsport.”

The award reflects a shared commitment in driving positive change and giving back to the communities in which they operate.

📸 Imagery courtesy of Formula One