Rally driver Aoife Raftery is inspiring teenage girls to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM).
Raftery, a competitor in the 2023 and 2024 Junior FIA European Rally Championship, will join Olympic sprinter Phil Healy, Olympic rower Zoe Hyde, and others at the I Wish Showcase on February 6 at the RDS Dublin.
Raftery, who holds the Rosemary Smith Memorial Award for female motorsport talent, will speak about how advances in STEM are crucial to success in rally driving.
Her background in STEM includes a stint in Construction Management at Atlantic Technological University (formerly Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology - GMIT).
Motorsport is particularly relevant to I Wish as STEM fields like engineering, data analysis, and fitness training are all vital to motorsport.
“It is really exciting to get the opportunity to talk to young girls coming up in the world about my career in motorsport, and the career paths they can take,” said the Craughwell, County Galway native.
“There are many opportunities in motorsport, such as mechanics, engineering, data analytics, team management, and logistics coordinators, and each role is important in motorsport. It going to be great to meet all the other sports stars that these young women look up to.”
Raftery's experience extends beyond competing in rally events; she is a previous speaker at Munster Technological University and a member of the Motorsport Ireland Women in Motorsport Commission.
She was also selected for a prestigious international female motorsport talent programme – one of only 15 drivers worldwide and the only Irish driver to be selected.
Raftery joins a group of inspiring women who aim to motivate over 4,000 female students to explore STEM careers.
The I Wish Showcase offers workshops, interactive exhibits, and inspirational speakers highlighting how STEM innovation drives success in various fields, including sports.
The Ford Fiesta Rally3 car that Raftery was due to drive in the postponed Corrib Oil Galway International Rally over the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend will also be on display at the RDS on February 6.
It will allow show visitors a rare chance to see first-hand the advanced technology and safety equipment of a modern rally car.
I Wish is a community dedicated to empowering teenage girls through STEM education. Since 2015, they've engaged over 62,000 students through workshops, speakers, and industry partnerships. Registration for the I Wish Showcase is open at iwish.ie/register.
Aoife Raftery is supported by: Spain's Coach and Mini Bus Hire | O'Neill O'Malley Architects and Project Managers | Des Lyons Plant | Cannon Concrete, Oranmore | EARS Motorsport |Kenny | (Peugeot) Galway | PW Plant Sales | Thatch Bar, Oranmore | Loughrea Auto Parts | Quinn Hardware | Lateralus B | Kerry Motorsport News
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