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A group of five high school students on a STEPCon (Science and Technology Education Partnership Conference) tour are gathered in the world's largest indoor atmospheric processes chamber at the UC Riverside CE-CERT Atmospheric Processes Laboratory. The students are intently focused on a researcher in a blue jacket, who is enthusiastically explaining a concept with his arms raised, standing near a laptop. The massive chamber is dramatically lit by arrays of intense cyan/blue UV lights
STEPCon students explore the atmospheric chamber at CE-CERT.

CE-CERT Hosts STEPCon and Open House 2025

October 14, 2025

The UCR EcoCAR team presentation during CE-CERT's Open House. A group of approximately 10 high school or university students are gathered outdoors on a sunny day in a parking lot. They are listening to a man in a blue shirt standing over the open hood of a dark car, which has its driver's side door open. The EcoCAR project information is visible on the hood. A large solar panel structure is visible in the background.
UCR's EcoCAR team showcases their vehicle at Open House.

Last week, CE-CERT opened its doors to the public and local students for a full week of immersive STEM engagement, hosting two annual events: Open House and STEPCon 2025. Together, these programs highlighted CE-CERT’s commitment to sharing environmental research, sparking curiosity, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The week began with CE-CERT’s annual Open House, where more than 90 guests, including UCR personnel, community members, university partners, and industry stakeholders, were welcomed for an inside look at CE-CERT’s world-class research labs. Visitors explored current projects across air quality, transportation systems, and sustainable energy, with live demonstrations in key facilities such as the Atmospheric Processes Laboratory (APL) chamber, the Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative (SIGI) testbed, the heavy-duty chassis dynamometer, the Transportation Systems Research (TSR) driving simulator, and the EcoCAR vehicle showcase featuring the team’s Cadillac LYRIQ. The Open House also featured engagement tables hosted by CE-CERT collaborators, including the Riverside Clean Air Carshare (RCAC), the Inland Empire Regional K–16 Education Collaborative, and the EcoCAR team.


Later in the week, CE-CERT took part in STEPCon 2025, the Science and Technology Education Partnership Conference, one of the Inland Empire’s largest K–16 STEM outreach events. Designed to introduce students to science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on experiences, STEPCon connects young learners with real-world researchers, university programs, and career pathways in STEM fields.

A student sits in the driver's seat of the Transportation Systems Research (TSR) driving simulator, holding a steering wheel, while a researcher in a green shirt points at a large monitor displaying a driving simulation. The setup features multiple large screens surrounding the driver to create an immersive experience.
Student behind the wheel of the TSR Driving Simulator.

As part of STEPCon, CE-CERT welcomed 80 high school students into its research spaces for immersive lab tours, led by graduate student researchers. These students had the chance to

explore the APL chamber, SIGI testbed, the heavy-duty chassis dynamometer, and the TSR driving simulator. Meanwhile, the UCR EcoCAR team hosted an interactive table, engaging over 1,000 K–16 students with hands-on engineering activities and a creative DIY vehicle craft.


CE-CERT extends heartfelt thanks to its 2025 sponsors, the Inland Empire Regional K–16 Education Collaborative and the Center for Healthy and Efficient Mobility (CHEM), for supporting these important outreach programs. Their partnership helps ensure that CE-CERT’s work continues to educate, inspire, and empower future innovators across our region.

 

 

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