Erin Vogel Inspires Future Innovators at Hartnell College Foundation Family Science Day

This past Saturday, the Hartnell College Foundation hosted its Annual Family Science Day, a celebration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education. The event featured a variety of exciting activities, including the Monterey County Office of Education Science Fair, the Salinas City Elementary School District’s regional Invention Convention, and a regional Tech Challenge trial, where teams competed for a chance to advance to the final showcase in San Jose on May 3-4. Attendees also enjoyed hands-on experiments, interactive competitions, live demonstrations, a reptile’s den, art stations, food vendors, and more, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages.

One of the highlights of the day was the keynote address by professional race car driver and team owner Erin Vogel, presented in collaboration with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Vogel, a trailblazer for women in motorsports, captivated an audience of all ages—from elementary and middle school students to parents and teachers. She shared her journey in racing, emphasizing perseverance, and the importance of breaking barriers by prioritizing effort over success. Her engaging talk sparked enthusiasm among young attendees, who eagerly participated in the discussion and later visited the WeatherTech Raceway booth to learn more about the upcoming IMSA race weekend, May 9 – 11 at the iconic raceway.

The raceway’s presence at Family Science Day added to the excitement, offering giveaways ranging from season magnets and stickers to backpacks and race tickets for the various competition winners. Attendees also had the opportunity to speak with Erin one on one who signed autographs and gave awards.

With a strong turnout and an inspiring message from Vogel, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was thrilled to be a part of the event, igniting curiosity and passion for STEAM in the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.