K-12 Activities & Resources

​SWENext is a way to become part of the SWE community as a student through the age of 18.
Learn more about SWENext.

Congratulations to all our local SWENext Winners!

• Jeehye (Rose) Lee is a SWENext Global Innovator Award Honorable Mention winner. She was honored at WE19 Conference in Anaheim, CA. View her submission video. 
• Ayonnah Tinsley is a SWENext Northrop Grumman Community Award winner. She is a high school student from Baltimore/Washington DC. View her winning poster.

SWENext Community Award Winners 2019:

• Michaela James, 7th grade
• Mera Seifu, 8th grade
• Yabesra Ewnetu, 8th grade: "Receiving the SWENext Community Award was such an honor. Prior to applying for the award, I was actively helping with my group, the STEM Impressionist, teach students in college all the way to elementary school about the importance of STEM.  STEM is what has allowed us to engineer the computers, phones, televisions, cars, stoves, bathrooms, houses, and even clothes we wear. Not only does STEM fields create amazing tools we use everyday, but the process of making these tools can help students foster creativity, build resilience, allow for knowledge application ;encourage experimentation and adaptation which are important skill needed for all students to learn. I was lucky enough to have supportive and informed supports like Ms. DeHart (STEM Impressionist Coordinator and my mentor) and family members. Although many women aren't encouraged to go into STEM and now we have a huge gender gap in STEM with only 37% of STEM profession occupied by women and 63% by men. With the STEM impressionist we have been voluntary teaching at schools like George Mason University, Belvedere ES, and Glasgow Middle School to help bring more women in the STEM field. We teach them about Engineering( Aerospace, Biomedical, Civil,etc.), Coding (Rasberry Pi, Scratch,etc.), Binary Code, and so much more. Teaching is such a hard job and can take a toll on you when you have to plan and execute, but enjoy it while you can. The connections these types of events make is so special. It was such an exciting experience to receive the award. However, being able to support women in STEM and being able to give back was the best part of it all, in its own eternal glory, so :"Enjoy the journey not the destination." Good luck future SWENext members."
• Elizabeth Kim, 11th grade: "Too often are girls dissuaded from careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) because they believe they are not smart or strong enough. It is important for young women to pursue STEM careers because they empower females, inspire them to find their voices, and provide them with the opportunity to positively impact the world. Recognizing the importance of early STEM education, especially in young girls, I co-founded STEAM Ahead, an outreach program that teaches and excites elementary school students about STEM. Through STEAM Ahead, I share my passion for these fields, fueling the pipeline for the next generation of scientists and engineers. As President, I organize events with the local public library, engaging my audience through lessons on STEM principles and performing interactive scientific demonstrations. STEAM Ahead has already touched over 400 attendees – many of them girls – since its inception in 2016. This year, I was awarded the SWENext Community Award for my commitment and dedication to raising STEM awareness and empowering young women in STEM. Encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers is vital, as they can tackle real issues, take initiative, and improve the lives of those around them. Women in STEM can shape the future."