Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Inc. has announced the renewal of its official partnership with the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). This year, the relationship will expand its impact through the company's support of IMSA's new STEM education program for high school students in select race markets.

Konica Minolta's business hub of the paddock will remain known as the Konica Minolta Business Center, which has become a highly recognizable element at IMSA events, providing corporate partners, automobile partners, teams, drivers and other stakeholders a place to conduct business at the track. The hub will now also facilitate at-track STEM initiatives, where students will hear from team engineers, drivers, corporate and OEM partners and IMSA officials. They will also have opportunities to visit the IMSA Technology Center, Race Control and more. Additionally, as the sponsor of the in-school curriculum, Konica Minolta will directly support teachers, administrators and students in high schools with a comprehensive and turnkey STEM module.

"What makes our partnership with IMSA so unique and exciting is how we are able to expand the scope each year," said Michael Mathé, COO, Konica Minolta. "Since 2015, we have started each new agreement with an innovative initiative that fulfills a greater purpose. The IMSA racing circuit provides students with real-world, high-intensity examples of STEM. Konica Minolta already provides complete business solutions to schools, from back-end workflow and information management solutions to digital classroom tools, innovative and cost-effective collaboration tools, making this new touchpoint a great and natural fit for us."

The bespoke IMSA STEM curriculum has been developed in conjunction with EVERFI, which works with more than 60,000 teachers and their schools throughout the country — providing interactive, game-based lessons and helping students thrive in an ever-changing world — all at no cost to the schools, teachers or students. Curriculum will be based on the unique STEM elements that drive IMSA, bringing concepts to life for students in school and at the racetrack. The program will be scenario-based and rooted in careers in motorsports and technology.

"STEM education and the opportunity to introduce IMSA to the next generation of engineers, mechanics, business leaders and others who will play a fundamental role in the future of our sport has long been a passion of mine, and as a valued partner, we are thrilled that Konica Minolta shares in that vision," said John Doonan, president, IMSA. "The ability to leverage Konica Minolta's expertise in the education industry is such an amazing complement to this initiative. We look forward to many more years together and the future of this endeavor to educate and inspire young minds."

The first IMSA STEM experience will take place in January 2025 in conjunction with the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the first race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season. Additional details and race markets will be revealed at a later date.