IEEE’s TryEngineering initiative is marking its 20th anniversary as a global platform dedicated to inspiring pre-university students and supporting educators with open engineering resources. Launched in 2006 through a collaboration between IEEE, IBM, and the New York Hall of Science, TryEngineering was born out of concern among industry and academic leaders that engineering was largely absent from early education and that fewer young people were choosing STEM careers. Research at the time showed that students begin forming attitudes about science and technology as early as kindergarten, making early exposure vital to sustaining future talent pipelines. The program’s founders sought to make engineering accessible, understandable, and engaging for both students and the teachers who guide them.
Over the last two decades, TryEngineering has grown from its original concept into a widely used online portal offering free lesson plans, hands-on activities, and project-based learning tools aimed at children from about age five through high school. Educators, IEEE volunteers, and parents can use these resources to introduce students to foundational STEM concepts, problem-solving skills, and real-world applications of engineering principles. The site supports educators with professional development materials and lesson collections covering topics such as semiconductors, climate change, and artificial intelligence, helping translate complex topics into classroom-friendly formats.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, TryEngineering is rolling out special activities, new partnerships, and expanded resources designed to deepen its impact in classrooms and communities worldwide. Among these are educator newsletters and collaborations with complementary IEEE programs that connect engineering projects to community challenges for students to tackle. With reach spanning more than 100 countries, the initiative aims not only to introduce students to engineering careers but also to build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong curiosity about technology.