Boston Students Explore Engineering and Innovation at Hands-On STEM Expo

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Society of Women Engineers

Nov 07, 2026, 16:05 ET

Society of Women Engineers event introduced young people to science, technology and potential careers in engineering

BOSTON, Nov. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For young people curious about how things work, Boston's Seaport District became a place of discovery Saturday as students explored the possibilities of engineering through interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities and conversations with professionals from around the world.

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Attendees at the Society of Women Engineers Innovation Expo enjoyed participating in mock engineering projects and talking to engineers about scholarship and career opportunities. The event was held as part of SWE's Annual Meeting in Boston today.
Attendees at the Society of Women Engineers Innovation Expo enjoyed participating in mock engineering projects and talking to engineers about scholarship and career opportunities. The event was held as part of SWE's Annual Meeting in Boston today.
Children ages five through 18 enjoyed participating in STEM activities today at the Society of Women Engineers Innovation Expo event held in Boston, Mass., as part of the group's annual meeting
Children ages five through 18 enjoyed participating in STEM activities today at the Society of Women Engineers Innovation Expo event held in Boston, Mass., as part of the group's annual meeting

The SWENext Innovation Expo, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), brought science, technology, engineering and mathematics out of the classroom and into the Westin Boston Seaport District, where students ages 5 to 18 had the opportunity to explore STEM fields in an engaging, accessible environment.

The free, half-day event was part of WE26, the Society of Women Engineers' annual international conference, held November 5–7 in Boston.

The Expo was designed to introduce younger students to engineering through hands-on demonstrations and activities while providing teenagers with opportunities to explore educational pathways and potential careers in STEM.

For elementary school students, the focus was on experimentation, problem-solving and discovery. Interactive activities encouraged children to explore engineering concepts while demonstrating how science and technology influence everyday life.

Older students had opportunities to connect with professional engineers, SWE members and representatives of collegiate engineering programs. Those conversations introduced students to engineering degree programs, scholarships, tutoring resources and career possibilities they might not otherwise have considered.

The event also offered parents, teachers and other STEM advocates information about educational resources, classroom activities and programs designed to help young people continue exploring science and engineering beyond the Expo.

Although the Society of Women Engineers has long focused on advancing women in engineering and technology, the Innovation Expo welcomed students of all genders, reflecting the organization's broader commitment to expanding access to STEM education.

The event highlighted the importance of introducing students to engineering at an early age, before they begin making decisions about college majors and career paths. By connecting young people with working engineers and college students, the Expo was designed to make engineering more approachable and demonstrate the variety of opportunities available in technical fields.

The Boston event also provided an opportunity for engineering professionals attending WE26 to engage directly with the local community and share their experiences with students who may represent the next generation of innovators.

For the Society of Women Engineers, the Expo was an extension of its mission to inspire and support future engineers while expanding awareness of the profession.

And for the young people who participated, the event offered an introduction to a field where curiosity, creativity and problem-solving can lead to discoveries that shape the future.

SOURCE Society of Women Engineers