More than three dozen students from Universal Vare STEM & Arts Academy Charter School in South Philly were lauded for their hard work in completing a 10-week course at the Urban Youth Racing Build a Dream Program.
About 40 students took part in the program, which is designed to teach science, technology, engineering and mathematics via the magic of motorsports and prepare students for a fast-paced career in the competitive world of professional racing.
During a course that began on Dec. 11, two groups of 20 students traveled to Urban Youth Racing in Fishtown twice a week for five weeks of instruction and simulation. It was followed by five weeks of actual racing at the K1 Speed indoor racing track in Cinnaminson.
“Urban Youth has been doing this for 25 years and a lot of our students have gone on to be engineers and some have gone on to work for NASCAR,” said Anthony Martin, founder. “The kids at Universal Vare are some of the best kids we’ve worked with, and we’ve worked with over 8,000 kids. They are focused and excited to be here and it’s great to be working with them.”