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 2024, 53 programs were selected as STEM grant recipients.
One of these selected projects was Learn Programming with BOB-3, where an exciting hands-on workshop was conducted and designed to spark interest in the world of programming and electronics for pre-university students in Hamburg, Germany. Using the BOB-3 educational platform, students learned the basics of coding, and were able to see their creations come to life through interactive digital hardware. The workshop was part of the “Holiday Program” of Hamburg University of Technology, aimed at empowering students to explore STEM fields in a fun and engaging way.
After the success of 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?
Our passion for engineering and technology inspired us to create this program and get involved with STEM outreach at the pre-university level. We believe that sharing our enthusiasm for engineering with the younger generation can spark a lifelong interest in STEM fields. By engaging students early on, we aim to break down barriers, show the exciting possibilities of a career in technology, and empower them to explore their potential. Witnessing the curiosity and creativity of young minds motivates us to continue making a positive impact and inspire the next generation of innovators.
What goals were met, and how did you measure the program’s impact?
Our program successfully met its goal of inspiring young students, including girls, to explore STEM fields. With participants aged 12 to 16, only one third had previous programming experience. Despite this, after the workshop, 83% of the students expressed a desire to continue working with the topics introduced, showing a significant increase in interest and engagement. One participant noted, “I never thought I could actually do this!” These results demonstrate the positive impact of hands-on, supportive learning environments in making STEM accessible and exciting for the next generation.
Learn Programming with BOB-3 was a recipient of the 2024 IEEE Pre-University STEM Grant Program. IEEE TryEngineering and the IEEE Foundation have partnered to raise donations in support of the IEEE STEM Grant Program. If you would like to contribute, please make a donation via our IEEE TryEngineering Fund Donation Page.