Innovate to Grow (I2G), the biannual showcase of innovative engineering design projects developed in partnership with industry and nonprofit partners, continues in-person and virtually this spring 2022 semester.
“We are excited to have everyone back in person to share in this amazing event,” said Engineering Service Learning Director Chris Butler. “This will be our largest event ever. We have 66 teams and more than 300 students showcasing their projects.”
I2G is open to the public and everyone is invited to register online to attend.
The event, scheduled for May 13, begins with a poster and prototype session at 10 a.m. in the gym at the Joseph E. Gallo Recreation & Wellness Center, followed by technical presentations by each team starting at 12:30 p.m. An award ceremony and reception will be held in the gym immediately after presentations.
I2G has traditionally been in-person, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was shifted to a virtual format to follow the CDC guidelines. Virtual presentations allow more people to attend, but organizers are pleased to welcome people in both formats this year.
I2G, the School of Engineering’s premiere event, began in 2012 and has grown into a vital connection between UC Merced students and the community to work on projects that benefit the local community and the region.
Students from Engineering Service Learning and the Software Engineering, Engineering, and Civil and Environmental Engineering capstone programs participate in I2G. Teams of students working with industry or nonprofit partners from around the region develop solutions to their partners’ engineering challenges. The students get the hands-on experience of working in teams and taking on real-world projects. Their demonstrations and presentations are conducted before a panel of judges, including community and industry leaders.
