This year marks 10 years since the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) launched SWENext, our free pre-college program that allows students ages 5 through 18 to join the SWE engineering and technology community.
In 2018, three years after the program’s introduction, SWE launched its SWENext High School Leadership Academy (SHLA) for pre-college students interested in pursuing engineering and technology degrees. More than 1,550 participants have gained valuable leadership skills since.
Today, SWENext continues to expand its reach through its SWENext Clubs, SWENext Connect, SWENext Influencers, SWENext Awards, and more.
Here are a few highlights from the last 10 years of SWENext.
A Decade of Accomplishments
In 2024, SWENext had more than 5,084 SWENexters in 50 countries, launched a new SWENext Club directory, and boasts 300+ active SWENext Clubs.
SWENext also hosted eight sessions of the SHLA last year, including six live sessions where each session helped students develop awareness and perspective on how they identify in STEM.
Additionally, SWENext launched the full SWENext Connect virtual mentoring program for all students ages 10-18. Read the full report on SWE’s outreach efforts in this year-end review.
Diverse: A SWE Podcast
- For Invent It. Build It., a hands-on event that aims to change the image of “What an Engineer Looks Like,” SWE partnered with Chicago Public Schools in 2024 and invited students from historically under-resourced areas to participate. Check out the podcast episode on How Chicago Public Schools Partnered With SWE to Provide a Hands-On STEM Experience.
- One of the top podcast episodes of 2024 featured two inspiring high school students, Alden Sherrill and Eleanor Lyons, sharing their journeys in STEM, including their hands-on experiences in SWENext and their advice on how professional engineers can better support next-generation STEM leaders. Tune in to Inspiring the Future: High School STEMinists Share Their Stories.
- Listen to The SWE Collegiate Experience With Vidhya Thiyagarajan where the FY24 SWE collegiate director speaks about the SWE collegiate experience, her efforts starting a SWENext Club at her high school, and shares insights on making the most of SWE during college for those interested in pursuing STEM professions.
All Together Blog
- SWE and FIRST: A Strategic Alliance Promoting Robotics ― and Much More ― to Young Women: Learn how this partnership between two nonprofits is advancing the mission of building STEM identities among young people and promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields.
- From the Classroom to the Cosmos: How Educators Can Help Girls Succeed in Space: See how educators from different STEM backgrounds are inspiring the next generation of female scientists, engineers, and astronauts.
- What does the day in the life of a woman engineer look like and what was her journey? Find out more from these profiles: civil engineer Courtney Kelly, component development engineer Romana Carden, and systems engineering lead Tuyet-Hanh Schnell.
More SWENext Resources
- Transition Tips into College for International Students in the United States: A few things to keep in mind before and after arriving on campus, and how to adjust to a new schedule.
- SWENext Tips: How to Apply for SWE Scholarships: A little helpful intel on how to navigate the scholarship process for successful outcomes.
- Look at all the programming some of the SWENext Clubs have organized for their members: Dominican College, Sage Creek, and Libya SWENext Club.
- Visit the STEM Pathways digital library to explore 15 different engineering disciplines to pursue as a career and make a difference.
- Read the Constance & Nano comic book series to follow the exciting engineering adventures of the two characters who find creative STEM solutions to solve problems.
Students who are ready to join this fun STEM community can sign up today for free!
Want to support SWENext? Your donation can help power our mission.
Here’s to many decades more of SWENext and inspiring the next generation of women professionals in STEM!
