Rio Ferdinand Foundation kick-offs new social partnership with RC Vision alongside Grove Park Youth Club

RC Vision, the leading social venture promoting STEM education and diversity through radio control car racing, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and the Grove Park Youth Club Building Preservation Trust (GPYCBPT). Together, the three organisations will be delivering RC-based STEM engagement sessions for young people aged 12-16 in Grove Park, South London, to help address the need for greater diversity and inclusion in STEM education.

Andy Hyde, the founder of RC Vision, explains that informal learning with radio control cars is a great way to engage young people in STEM education and develop the skills and habits of mind needed for success in engineering and STEM careers. He said, "We exist to make a difference in the world of motorsports and STEM education. By promoting diversity and inclusion and providing engaging learning experiences, we're helping to build a more equitable and sustainable future for all of us."

The partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation and the GPYCBPT will help tackle the critical need for greater diversity and inclusion in STEM education. The young people will have agency over their participation, which is more likely to keep them committed to the activity. They will have opportunities to build relationships with professionals from the STEM sector, such as race engineers, which can help raise awareness of and aspirations for career opportunities in STEM fields.

During the RC-based STEM engagement sessions, young people will learn how to drive and race RC cars, as well as how to set up and manage races and develop the performance of their cars. Developing these skills and habits of mind will prepare them better for success in engineering and other STEM fields.

Melissa Fordham, Training & Progression Manager at the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said, "We're thrilled to be partnering with RC Vision and the Grove Park Youth Club Building Preservation Trust to provide young people in the area with access to these STEM learning opportunities. Through programmes like this, we can help to build a more diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve."

Rob Clayton, Chair of the GPYCBPT, added, "We're excited to be working with RC Vision and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation to bring these engaging learning experiences to young people in our community. By nurturing engineering habits of mind and developing new skills, we can help to prepare the next generation of engineers and innovators."

This announcement comes hot on the heels of RC Vision's recent achievements in securing a public sector contract to deliver activities as part of the Healthy Active Food Fund and grant-funded activities with the Great Western Railways Community Fund. These milestones demonstrate RC Vision's growing success in promoting STEM education and youth development through RC racing.

RC Vision is a non-profit organization that aims to provide equal opportunities for children and young people to develop their skills and knowledge in physics, engineering, and technology through engaging radio control motorsport programs. RC Vision delivers innovative educational programming, fosters community engagement, and advocates for equitable access to STEM education.

For more information about RFF visit: https://www.rioferdinandfoundation.com/