Leaders and advocates of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) take learning beyond just the academics offered in the classroom. Through TryEngineering, IEEE Volunteers are able to make STEM outreach projects a reality that reach school-aged children around the world. TryEngineering empowers educators and supports volunteers by providing STEM resources, including peer-reviewed lesson plans, at no cost. The IEEE Pre-University STEM Grant Program offers the opportunity for financial support to start, sustain, or scale selected STEM outreach projects in local communities. In 2025, 58 programs were selected as STEM grant recipients.
One of these programs was Empowering Girls’ Computing Future: Systemic Change for Gender Equity. The program was an intensive one-day event designed to motivate marginalized high school girls to pursue computing and STEM programs at the university level. The event successfully brought together 58 female students, 12 teachers, and 14 volunteers, alongside educators, policymakers, and tech advocates. Participants engaged in a variety of activities, including interactive sessions, informative lectures, and competitive challenges. Inspiring talks from women in technology further encouraged students to envision themselves in tech-related careers. The program provided hands-on experiences and aimed to build confidence among young women in Northeast Nigeria.
After the program, TryEngineering was able to conduct an interview with the program’s leaders:
What inspired you to create your program and get involved with STEM outreach at the pre-university level?
The inspiration for creating this program stemmed from recognizing the persistent gender gap in computing and STEM fields, particularly in regions like Northeast Nigeria. We were motivated by the urgent need to foster systemic change by empowering girls early in their educational journeys, providing them with role models, hands-on experiences, and the confidence to pursue tech-related careers. Through STEM outreach at the pre-university level, we aim to ignite curiosity, promote digital inclusion, and build a more equitable and diverse future in technology.
How did you measure the program’s impact?
The program’s success was evaluated through qualitative measures, revealing a significant positive impact on participants and the wider community. Direct feedback from testimonials and surveys indicated increased interest in STEM careers and greater awareness of digital inclusion among students. Active engagement during interactive sessions and strong commitments from schools to participate in future events underscored the program’s resonance. One student noted, “I never thought I could speak in front of a crowd, now I want to be a tech founder,” reflecting a newfound confidence.
The evaluation highlighted that the program:
- Introduced 58 high school girls to computing and STEM career paths.
- Engaged nine schools in a hands-on tech education competition.
- Exceeded participation targets with 92 total attendees from diverse stakeholder groups.
- Raised awareness on digital inclusion through dedicated advocacy workshops.
Empowering Girls’ Computing Future: Systemic Change for Gender Equity was a recipient of the 2025 IEEE Pre-University STEM Grant Program and funded by the IEEE Computer Society (CS). To learn more about TryEngineering and IEEE Computer Society’s partnership, be sure to visit the CS Collection Page.