Center for Environmental Research & Technology

CE-CERT Hosts High School Tours at STEPCon 2024

By Sara Salsgiver | November 05, 2024

Can hands-on learning inspire students to tackle the world’s biggest environmental challenges?

At CE-CERT, we believe it can. As part of our participation in STEPCon 2024, we hosted over 60 high school students for lab tours, giving them a firsthand look at the technologies driving sustainability. STEPCon, an annual event drawing thousands of students from grades 4-12 across the Inland Empire, focuses on hands-on STEM experiences. Our tours are just one piece of this exciting puzzle, aimed at sparking curiosity and passion in the next wave of environmental problem-solvers.

The day began with an introduction from Arun Raju, Associate Director, who gave students an overview of CE-CERT's mission. He shared insights into our work on air pollution, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation while encouraging the students to think about careers in these growing fields. “There has never been a more important time for creative minds to address environmental issues,” Dr. Raju stated.

Bronwen Begakis from Southern California Edison (SCE) followed, sharing SCE’s sustainability efforts, including investments in solar, wind, and hydropower, and their goal of achieving carbon neutrality. She also highlighted career paths in the clean energy sector and discussed SCE’s scholarship opportunities and internships for students pursuing STEM studies.

The tours were led by CE-CERT graduate students, who guided the visitors through key research facilities and provided detailed explanations of the center’s innovative projects. “We are always excited to share our work with young students,” said one graduate student. “It’s an opportunity to show them that the solutions to today’s challenges are within reach, and they can be a part of that future.”

Each stop on the tour offered students a deeper understanding of the technologies addressing real-world environmental challenges.

• Atmospheric Processes Laboratory: Students explored the world’s largest indoor atmospheric chamber, where CE-CERT researchers study air pollutants under simulated atmospheric conditions. This facility plays an important role in understanding the complex interactions of emissions and their impacts on air quality, to inform strategies to improve environmental health at both local and global levels.
• Heavy-Duty Engine Dynamometer: This state-of-the-art facility allows for the testing and evaluation of advanced diesel technologies, alternative fuels, and emissions control systems. The graduate students explained how the facility supports research efforts to meet California Air Resources Board (CARB) guidelines and advance cleaner transportation technologies, helping reduce harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.
• Driving Simulator for Connected Vehicles: The students experienced CE-CERT’s Driving Simulator, which uses virtual reality and gaming technology to study driver behavior and the effectiveness of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The simulator enables researchers to evaluate real-world traffic scenarios and assess the impact of connected and automated vehicle technologies on energy efficiency and road safety.
• Battery Trailer and Microgrids:  The students also had the opportunity to see CE-CERT’s mobile battery trailer, which supports ongoing advancements in microgrid technology. They explored how microgrids are being used to integrate renewable energy sources, provide energy resilience, and enhance sustainability in communities. 

The success of this year’s high school tours was made possible by the support of CE-CERT’s sponsors, including the National Center for Sustainable Transportation (NCST), the Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH), and Southern California Edison (SCE). Their partnerships help us keep offering these interactive learning opportunities year after year.

As CE-CERT reflects on another successful year at STEPCon, we remain committed to fostering the next generation of environmental leaders. Through immersive, hands-on experiences like these tours, CE-CERT aims to spark curiosity and empower young minds to explore solutions for a more sustainable future.

“We hope to inspire students to take on the global environmental challenges of tomorrow,” said Arun Raju, “by showing them the real-world applications of research and technology, and the impact they can have in creating a cleaner, healthier world.”