Built Different: The GM Motorsports STEM Accelerator
From the track to tomorrow.
A workforce-development accelerator connecting students to the real STEM careers powering motorsports — through GM, Chevrolet, and NASCAR.
In Partnership With
Microsoft
$69.2B
Annual motorsports economic activity in the U.S.
318,000+
Jobs supported by motorsports in the U.S. alone
$169M
Regional economic impact from a single Richmond race weekend
What Is Built Different?
Not a summer camp. A workforce pipeline.
Built Different is a workforce-development investment in motorsports which is one of America’s most overlooked STEM industries. We connect students in to the real engineering, data, and design careers that make racing run.
A NASCAR race weekend alone generates an average of $75 million in regional economic impact. Built Different gives local students the on-ramp to the industry powering that growth — right in their backyard.
The Program
Learn. Experience. Sustain.
A three-phase model that takes students from the classroom to the racetrack — and keeps the pipeline running long after they leave.
01
Learn
Students complete “How STEM Leads to Speed: Racing with Rajah” — a 6–8 week, 4-module curriculum covering data science, physics of motion, engineering & materials science, and AI-powered design. Taught live by real teachers, using professional tools like Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Designer, MakeCode Arcade, and more.
02
Experience
Participants head to a local NASCAR raceway for a full race weekend. They meet GM/Chevy drivers, pit crew members, and engineers — completing STEM scavenger hunt challenge cards, a pre-race meet and greet, and a track walkthrough. Everything they learned in the curriculum comes to life.
03
Sustain
The curriculum stays with each partner organization — along with ongoing training and support from The Twenty Four Foundation. Partners grow their capacity to run future cohorts independently, expanding Built Different’s reach one city at a time.
Why Motorsports?
Racing isn’t just a sport. It’s an advanced manufacturing sector wearing a sports jersey.
The motorsports industry supports over 318,000 jobs across aerodynamics, simulation engineering, software development, data science, composites, marketing, and design. The driving seats number in the dozens — the STEM careers powering them number in the tens of thousands.
$22.1B
Wages and benefits paid to U.S. motorsports workers annually
43%
Of F1 fans are under 35 — Gen Z is the sport’s fastest-growing demographic
$8.2B
Annual tax revenue generated by the motorsports industry in the U.S.
Where Purpose Meets Play
Built Different hits all three pillars.
EXPOSURE
STEM through Sports & Culture
“How STEM Leads to Speed: Racing with Rajah” uses NASCAR as the entry point to introduce STEM careers and concepts; making the content hands-on, exciting, and culturally relevant. Students hear from real drivers and team members throughout the curriculum.
SKILL
AI & Digital Literacy
Participants build real fluency using professional-grade tools: Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Designer and MakeCode Arcade. These aren’t simulations instead hey’re the same tools used by working engineers, designers, and data scientists.
PATHWAYS
Career Readiness & Professional Development
After completing the curriculum, participants meet the people who’ve lived the path — GM engineers, pit crew members, and NASCAR drivers — during the race weekend experience. This is workforce development, not just enrichment.
Coalition
Built by a network, not just one organization.
Built Different comes to life through a coalition of nonprofits, universities, race venues, and city institutions across Richmond and Atlanta. The Twenty Four Foundation serves as the primary implementation partner — coordinating technology, training, marketing, and fundraising across the full network.
RICHMOND, VA
City of Richmond Parks and Rec
River City Dreams
Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond
ATLANTA, GA
Grove Park Foundation
Sole Play Foundation
Clayton County Digital Equity Board
Ready to bring Built Different to your city?
We’re actively expanding the Built Different coalition in Richmond, Atlanta, and beyond. Whether you’re a nonprofit, funder, educational institution, or community organization, reach out to learn how we can partner.