Rally driver Aoife Raftery inspired young girls at I Wish Showcase
Rally driver Aoife Raftery inspired thousands of teenage girls to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the I Wish Showcase held at the RDS in Dublin on Thursday, February 6.
The event, the largest I Wish Showcase to date, saw 6,000 female students gather to explore opportunities in STEM fields.
The Craughwell, County Galway native, a competitor in the 2023 and 2024 Junior FIA European Rally Championship, joined other prominent female athletes, including Olympic sprinter Phil Healy and Olympic rower Zoe Hyde, as a speaker at the event.
She shared her motorsport experiences and highlighted STEM's role in achieving success in the sport.
With a background in Construction Management, Raftery explained how STEM skills are essential for various roles within motorsport, from mechanics and engineering to data analytics, team management, and logistics coordination.
"It was 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 that they can take," she said.
The I Wish Showcase featured a wide range of activities, including workshops, interactive exhibits, and presentations from leading Irish and global companies.
The Sport Innovation Hub, in collaboration with Sport Ireland’s HER Moves campaign, offered students hands-on experiences with technology used in sports, while the Food Science Hub, led by Carbery, Kerry Group, and Dawn Meats, showcased the impact of STEM on the food industry.
The Ford Fiesta Rally3 car that Raftery was due to drive in the postponed Corrib Oil Galway International Rally was on display at the show, providing a rare opportunity for attendees to see the advanced technology and safety features of a modern rally car.
Since its foundation in 2015, The I Wish Showcase has engaged over 62,000 students through its various STEM-related programmes.
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 | Lateralus B | Kerry Motorsport News