BOSTON – November 07, 2026 -- Students ages 5 to 18 got a free, hands-on introduction to engineering on Saturday at the SWENext Innovation Expo, held at the Westin Boston Seaport District. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) hosted the half-day event.
The Expo was part of WE26, SWE's annual international conference, which ran November 5–7 in Boston.
Younger students experiment, older students ask professionals
Elementary school students worked through interactive activities built around experimentation, problem-solving and discovery. The activities showed how science and technology shape everyday life.
Older students spoke with professional engineers, SWE members and representatives of collegiate engineering programs. Those conversations covered engineering degree programs, scholarships, tutoring resources and career paths the students might not have considered.
Parents and teachers receive classroom resources
Parents, teachers and other STEM advocates received information on educational resources, classroom activities and programs that help young people keep exploring science and engineering after the event.
All genders welcome at a women-focused organization's event
SWE has long focused on advancing women in engineering and technology. The Expo nonetheless welcomed students of all genders.
Organizers aimed to reach students early, before they choose college majors and career paths. Engineering professionals attending WE26 also used the event to share their experiences directly with the local community.