STEM Inspire Event Transforms Young Minds Through Physics in Riverside

Ubaid Awan making a lasting impact on young students with the power of physics and fun

Rubber band cars, racing competitions, and excited children filled Orange Terrace Park as the first Riverside chapter of STEM Inspire held its inaugural community education event. Junior Ubaid Awan, president and founder of the chapter, led the three-hour afternoon of hands-on experiments designed to teach potential and kinetic energy concepts to local children.

The event featured custom-designed rubber band-powered cars that drew approximately 20 children throughout the afternoon. Participants learned physics principles by building and racing the vehicles, discovering how winding rubber bands stores potential energy that converts to kinetic energy when released.

"We started with just two kids and joked that we'd met our quota for the day," Awan

explained. "But then other children saw what was happening, realized it was educational rather than a sale, and kept joining in."

The organic growth was so rapid that Awan lost exact count of participants. The continuous flow of interested students created equipment challenges – one car broke permanently from overuse, and many others needed constant repairs due to enthusiastic testing.

One particularly impactful moment came when an engineering father from Karma Automotive became deeply engaged with the programming. Impressed by the educational quality, he offered Awan a factory tour to teach automotive engineering concepts, though contact information couldn't be captured while managing other eager participants.

The event also created a transformation story when a student whose brother had entered the Riverside STEM Academy lottery participated. Initially reluctant about leaving his current school, the brother became excited about STEM programs after the hands-on experience. His mother personally thanked Awan, explaining how the event changed her son's perspective on science education.

When asked about future plans, Awan mentioned potential equipment refinements, including transitioning from competitive car racing to collaborative catapult building to ensure every child gets a hands-on project. He's also planning expanded programming at local community events and coordinating with Orange Terrace Library and the local community center for broader outreach.