TryEngineering 20th Anniversary
2026 marks 20 years of TryEngineering.
Celebrate with us!
For 20 years, TryEngineering has been dedicated to empowering educators and sparking curiosity in students worldwide. What began in 2006 as a collaboration between IEEE, IBM, and the New York Hall of Science has grown into a global resource for STEM education. In 2026, we’re honoring this milestone with a year of exciting updates, new partnerships, impactful resources, and interactive events.
20 Ways to Celebrate 20 Years
Throughout 2026, we’re highlighting 20 ways to inspire the next generation of technology innovators. From exciting partnerships and new resources, to virtual events and webinars, there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved. Explore what’s ahead and join us in celebrating 20 years of TryEngineering, as we continue empowering educators and inspiring the next generation together!
1. Virtual TryEngineering Educator Session
Join us on 21 January 2026 at 3:30pm ET for a virtual hands-on introduction to semiconductors through the Making of a Microchip classroom lesson, presented by IEEE TryEngineering and Kaptivate’s TalentSHIFT Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative.
You’ll learn how to guide students as they build simple circuits and model how real chips are made, using easy-to-find materials like LEDs, playdough, clay, and a battery tester.
As a bonus, one lucky attendee will receive a classroom materials set!
Register Today
2. An Exciting Partnership with MathWorks
TryEngineering is thrilled to announce a new partnership with MathWorks!
On 28 January at 12 PM ET, join us for a free webinar introducing the Bright Beats Challenge, an engaging hands-on lesson developed by MathWorks and IEEE TryEngineering. Students explore the basics of signal processing through two creative approaches:
- Using a micro:bit to turn light into musical notes
- Applying MATLAB to transform image pixels into sound
Register today, and stay tuned throughout the year for more exciting new lesson plans!
Register for Webinar
3. LinkedIn Newsletter
TryEngineering is excited to launch a new, educator-focused LinkedIn newsletter: TryEngineering Educator Insights.
Published monthly, it will feature news, resources, and events tailored for pre-university educators worldwide. Follow us on LinkedIn and watch for the first edition when it goes live!
Follow Us on LinkedIn
4. Celebrate Engineers Week
Join us for a special webinar celebrating Engineers Week 2026! We’ll highlight the history, milestones, and impact of TryEngineering over the past 20 years.
Stay tuned for more details and the registration link!
5. An Exciting Partnership With EPICS in IEEE
The EPICS in IEEE & TryEngineering Service Learning Grant Program is a new partnership between two IEEE Educational Activities initiatives. It supports educators working with students ages 5–17 in hands-on, project-based learning that connects engineering to community impact.
Students identify challenges in their schools or communities and then design engineering solutions that make a real difference. Educators may receive up to US$2,000 to support materials, resources, and project implementation.
The application window opens 2 February 2026. Watch the replay of our training to learn more about the program and how to apply!
Training Webinar Replay
6. TryEngineering STEM Grants
The TryEngineering STEM Grant Program is designed to spur STEM outreach and innovation by providing funding to IEEE Volunteers to develop new STEM programs and to enhance or maintain existing programs.
From 2021 to 2025, the grant program awarded more than $246,758 to support 202 programs across nine IEEE Regions.
Stay tuned for the announcement of our 2026 STEM Grant recipients!
Learn More
7. Educator Events & Conferences
Join TryEngineering at notable STEM and education conferences throughout 2026! Attend one of our exciting hands‑on workshops, or stop by our booth to explore new resources, opportunities, and ways to get involved. Stay tuned as this list of conference appearances continues to grow!
- FETC 2026 (Future of Education Technology Conference) – 11–14 January, Orlando, FL
- ITEEA 2026 (International Technology and Engineering Educators Association) – 25–28 March, Virginia Beach, VA
- NSTA ANA26 (National Science Teaching Association) – 15–18 April, Anaheim, CA
- ISTE Live 26 (International Society for Technology in Education) – 28 June–1 July, Orlando, FL
8. IEEE Education Week
Celebrate IEEE Education Week with us from 11–19 April 2026! This global, weeklong celebration highlights educational opportunities offered by IEEE and its many organizational units, societies, and councils.
Click below to explore Education Week resources, and stay tuned for details about the TryEngineering webinar we’ll be hosting!
Learn More
9. IEEE EDUCON 2026
The IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON) is one of the flagship conferences of the IEEE Education Society. The 17th edition, EDUCON 2026, will be held in Cairo, Egypt, from 27 to 30 April 2026.
Join TryEngineering for our special session: Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovators: Pre-University STEM Outreach – Engagement and Education.
Learn More
10. IEEE STEM Champions
Are you conducting IEEE STEM outreach events for pre-university (school-aged) students or educators in your local community on behalf of IEEE? Would you like to help inspire other volunteers to get involved in STEM outreach? Consider applying to become an IEEE STEM Champion! All active IEEE Members are invited to apply, and new Champions are selected annually.
Stay tuned, application details will be announced soon!
Learn More
11. TryEngineering Summer Institute
The TryEngineering Summer Institute returns for summer 2026 with several new campus locations! This immersive program helps spark students’ enthusiasm for engineering and technology, positioning these young innovators for long-term success in academics and life.
Learn more about the 2026 Summer Institute and explore the full list of locations:
12. In-Person TryEngineering Educator Sessions
TryEngineering will once again host in-person Educator Sessions across the United States! During each session, teachers learn about a featured STEM industry from subject-matter experts and explore TryEngineering’s free educational resources.
All participating teachers will attend at no cost, and will receive materials to take back to their classrooms to conduct the hands-on activities with their students. Stay tuned for details about the 2026 sessions and locations!
To learn more about the success of last year’s Educator Sessions, click below:
13. An Exciting Product Release!
TryEngineering is preparing to unveil a brand‑new product designed to spark STEM curiosity among the next generation.
Stay tuned for more information and an official reveal coming soon!
14. IEEE Presidents’ Scholarship
TryEngineering is proud to support the IEEE Presidents’ Scholarship. Since 1999, this scholarship has recognized a deserving student for an outstanding project in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, computer science, or other IEEE fields of interest. Awarded annually at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), the scholarship helps promising young innovators pursue their future studies.
Learn More
15. TryEngineering OnCampus
TryEngineering OnCampus brings engineering experiences directly to university campuses around the world. Explore the sessions completed in 2025, and get ready for new campus locations launching in 2026!
Interested in hosting a session at your local university?
Learn More or Contact Us
16. Sections Congress
TryEngineering is excited to attend IEEE Sections Congress 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place 21–23 August 2026. We look forward to connecting with IEEE leaders and volunteers from around the globe!
Learn More
17. Back to School Webinar
Join us for a free Back to School Webinar, designed to support and inspire educators as they prepare for the new academic year.
More details coming soon!
18. IEEE STEM Summit
Join us for the annual IEEE STEM Summit! This free, virtual event is designed for volunteers, educators, and STEM enthusiasts to explore new ways to spark school-aged children’s interest in STEM.
Stay tuned for details about the 2026 event, and explore the 2025 STEM Summit session replays in the meantime!
Learn More
19. IEEE Day 2026
Celebrate IEEE Day 2026 with a special webinar marking the 20th anniversary of TryEngineering! We’ll look back at two decades of impact and share how we’re shaping the future of STEM education.
More information coming soon!
Learn More
20. An Exciting Interactive STEM Resource
Stay tuned for more information about an exciting new interactive STEM resource designed to engage students in the world of semiconductors.
More details will be announced soon!
Resources
Discover More
Find the resources you can use to teach school-age children and how they can make the world a better place. Search for lessons, games, engineering disciplines and articles.