Erguvan Joins CITRIS Inspire Art & Tech Workshop at UC Davis

7 June, 2024

In early June 2024, we wrapped up the most recent CITRIS Inspire and BE-STARSE workshop—this time co-hosted by CITRIS and the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) and held across UC Davis and SJCOE in Stockton, CA.

Following two vibrant programs earlier this summer, this latest workshop brought together a new group of passionate students and mentors. Nearly 40 high schoolers explored the intersections of art, AI, and technology through a dynamic, hands-on experience—filled with fabrication challenges, immersive tours, and thoughtful collaboration.

The workshop opened with a collaborative tower-building challenge, followed by art and technology sessions with Dr. Ali Karatay, cleanroom semiconductor demos with Farhad Wasi, and chip design activities at CNM2 with Lisa McPhillips.

 

Students visited the UC Davis Wind Tunnel and toured the California Raptor Center, where Prof. Christina Harvey shared insights into bio-inspired flight mechanics.

 Throughout the workshop, speakers from a range of disciplines—including Prof. Anthony Thomas, Prof. Weijian Yang, and Pranta Saha—offered perspectives on artificial intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, and quantum technologies.

 

The workshop closed with a drone obstacle course, a certificate ceremony, and a liquid nitrogen ice cream celebration to top it all off.

Endless thanks to the educators, organizers, and supporters—especially Prof. Saif Islam, Prof. Zhi Ding, and Farhad Wasi—who made this program so impactful. And to the students who brought their curiosity and brilliance: we can’t wait to see where you go next.

The Event in Photos!