News and Events

CR2C2’s Student Leadership Council (SLC) members—Komal, Oladimeji, Hao, Tahmina, and Javier—recently contributed to a meaningful outreach initiative aimed at sparking curiosity and interest in transportation engineering among middle school students in rural Alabama.

The team created an engaging 20-minute video presentation tailored for 6th and 7th grade students at Greensboro Middle School. More than 50 students participated in the session, which introduced them to the world of transportation research and engineering. The presentation emphasized the critical role transportation engineers play in shaping both urban and rural communities, and how their work affects everything from road safety to public transit access.

One of the most exciting elements of the presentation was its forward-looking focus. The students were introduced to cutting-edge innovations like autonomous vehicles and flying taxis, encouraging them to imagine how transportation might evolve in their lifetimes and the role they could one day play in that transformation.

The outreach session was guided by Ms. Myra Harris, a teacher at Greensboro Middle School, with support from Dr. Joni Lakin and Dr. Hope Whiteside from the University of Alabama. Their facilitation helped create a welcoming and interactive environment where students could engage with the content, ask questions, and reflect on the future of transportation in their own communities.

This initiative is part of CR2C2’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and STEM education. By connecting students with real-world applications of engineering and introducing them to college-level researchers, the effort helps plant the seeds for future careers in science, technology, and innovation.