The Communications Subteam at EcoCAR at the University of California, Riverside, in partnership with CE-CERT, hosted an engaging outreach event on Thursday, February 26th, with students from The California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR). The visit brought students to campus for a day centered around STEM education, innovation, and hands-on learning, highlighting EcoCAR’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Led by Communications Manager Semaria Kebede, alongside Mike Anderson from the Riverside Deaf community, the team coordinated outreach efforts with CSDR to make this event possible. Their collaboration played a key role in creating an inclusive and impactful experience for students, ensuring meaningful engagement and accessibility throughout the day.

The visit began with a warm welcome and introductions, where EcoCAR team members connected with students through basic sign language, creating an inclusive and interactive environment from the start. Students were then guided through a tour of UCR’s engineering facilities and the CE-CERT garage, where they were introduced to the EcoCAR vehicle and the work being done by student engineers.

Throughout the day, more than ten UCR engineering students presented on their roles within EcoCAR, sharing insights into vehicle development, sustainability, and real-world engineering applications. These presentations were followed by an interactive discussion session, where students had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with both students and faculty.

A key highlight of the event was the hands-on exposure to EcoCAR technologies, allowing students to see how advanced vehicle systems are designed, tested, and implemented. This interactive approach provided a meaningful learning experience that extended beyond traditional classroom settings.

EcoCAR UCR is proud to collaborate with organizations like CSDR to make STEM more accessible and inclusive. By fostering early exposure to engineering and innovation, the team continues to create a lasting impact within the community and inspire future leaders in the field.