OUTREACH AND TOURS
At CE-CERT, we believe in opening our doors to inspire the next generation of engineers, engage our community, and share the impact of our research. Our outreach initiatives provide students, educators, and stakeholders with opportunities to explore clean transportation, energy systems, and air quality research through hands-on experiences and guided engagement.
Outreach Programs
Advancing STEM education through immersive, hands-on learning.
CE-CERT’s outreach programs engage students from high school through college to build awareness, skills, and pathways into STEM careers. These initiatives foster curiosity and equip the next generation of engineers and scientists.
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CE-CERT Open House
Held each October, CE-CERT’s Open House invites the public to explore our research labs, meet our researchers and students, and learn about the technologies driving sustainable solutions. This is a key opportunity to connect directly with our work and team.
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UCR EcoCAR Challenge
Proudly selected among 15 elite North American universities for a leading automotive engineering competition, this unique experience empowers students, turning them into industry-ready leaders and innovators through hands-on exposure to cutting-edge automotive research and development. As part of the EcoCAR EV Challenge, UCR's EcoCAR team prioritizes outreach, focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Energy and Environmental Justice Initiatives. Through community education and engagement, the team is responsible for actively reaching underserved and underprivileged audiences, boosting STEM literacy among K-12 youth, and establishing connections with legislators and local partners to advocate for equity.
Learn more about the team and how you can support (or even join the team!) at https://ecocar.engr.ucr.edu/.
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High School Collaborations
CE-CERT partners with Inland Empire high schools to expose students to engineering research and career pathways in STEM. These collaborations aim to remove barriers and build lasting interest in environmental fields.
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STEPCon and STEM Summer Learning Labs
In partnership with the Science and Technology Education Partnership (STEP), CE-CERT hosts a range of outreach events throughout the year to inspire high school students in STEM.
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STEPCon brings hundreds of students to CE-CERT for immersive demonstrations in sustainable transportation, microgrids, and atmospheric processes.
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STEM Summer Learning Labs offer no-cost, hands-on summer sessions where students engage directly with research tools, simulations, and CE-CERT student mentors.
Together, these programs provide valuable exposure to real-world research and academic pathways in environmental engineering.
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Community College Partnerships
CE-CERT collaborates with local community colleges to support students—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds—as they prepare for transfer and success in higher education. These partnerships include lab tours, mentorship, and research exposure.
Facility Tours
CE-CERT hosts guided tours throughout the year for a broad audience, including community members, city officials, educators, industry partners, and students. Visitors gain firsthand insights into our advanced research facilities and ongoing work in environmental technologies.
For tour inquiries, please contact: certinfo@cert.ucr.edu