May 21, 2024 | Jordan Baker, Center for Clean Energy Engineering

What drives innovations? Who can be an innovator? These were some of the key questions asked during an outreach event in March when- forty students and faculty from CT State Community Colleges visited with the Center for Clean Energy Engineering (C2E2). The group, which consisted of students pursuing science at Housatonic, Gateway, and Norwalk Community Colleges, signed up for this visit because they have a strong interest in pursuing advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

C2E2 Director, Xiao-Dong Zhou, began this event with an inspirational introduction, highlighting the importance of innovators in the field, especially clean energy. “Anyone can be an innovator.” was the highlight of his presentation where he encouraged each student to apply to UConn, emphasizing that UConn needs more students who want to be innovators and want to inspire change within the field of science, engineering, and clean energy.

Graduate student, Jeff Page, also had the chance to connect with the students where he presented information about how technology, safety, and the environment can be improved, while introducing some of the graduate level research projects conducted at the center. He gave students an insight into pursuing various engineering degrees from the student level perspective.  "The students were very engaged and excited to learn about clean energy. I hope they understood the importance of renewable energy research and that there are many opportunities there.”

While at the Center, the students were able to tour the labs and engage in demonstrations. They met with other graduate students and faculty in the labs while learning about the equipment with a hands-on demonstration of research that goes on within the center.

These demonstrations involved the glove box, optical microscope, 3D printing, Coin Cell Assembly, Fuel Cell Assembly, Reactive Spray Deposition Technology (RSDT), and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Students were able to learn about how the processes work, view the equipment in action, and the importance of using this equipment to advance the research. Some students were given the opportunity to use the glove box and experience first-hand working with this technology. They learned of the magnification capabilities of the SEM, by placing a hair under the microscope and visually seeing the details thereby understanding the powerful impact this equipment has on the research.

Students were also able to meet with researchers at the Innovation Partnership Building (IPB), where they learned about other types of research and the resources students have access to taking place at the university such as the state-of-the-art microscopy labs. They got to see firsthand several high-resolution microscopes being operated by UConn students. There was also a tour of Science 1, one of UConn’s newest facilities, where students connected with more faculty from other engineering departments, and view some of the high-quality labs and classrooms that support better learning.

This visit provided students with a new lens and approach to learning science. They had the chance to visit UConn and connect with people and see the labs and research centers that are a part of a 4-year land-grant institution, while also learning more about their own educational and career paths. “By seeing STEM in applications and not just in a textbook or lab book, they can picture themselves in the career.” Robin Avant, the Campus Dean of Students and Faculty at Housatonic Community College, said. “Seeing how many students are here, excited and not walking away, but focused with questions is huge. It is benefiting and resonating, it is impacting our students positively and providing a new lens for learning.”

The Interim CEO of Housatonic Community College, Manuel Gomez, shared a similar sentiment. “The biggest takeaway for students on this trip is that they belong at UConn. That the bachelor’s degree is accessible to them and that from there they could see themselves pursuing a master’s degree or a PhD.” he said. “UConn, as an institution, is the number one transfer for the Housatonic campus. Many of our students transfer to different campuses but many have not visited Storrs. I think being in this space and having access to experience some of the wonderful resources the University has to offer, and especially visiting with students and graduate students who are doing their research in clean energy and engineering, allows them to imagine themselves here more and inspires them to start working towards it.”

The students even noticed this change in lens. Bodie Williams, one of the students said “Coming here changed my viewpoint. There is more than meets the eye, and there is some stuff that I never even heard of before, but I got to see it and it really changes my perception and I know what to expect if I’m entering an engineering major. It opened my eyes to exploring environmental and energy efficient engineering, which I wasn’t sure on before.”

Students ended their visit by touring other areas of the main campus, getting to see first-hand some of student life, and see all the opportunities that are available, even stopping for some ice cream to end their day.