WEinnov8
We Engineer Innovation
WEINNOV8 is a peer-run program designed to foster a passion for engineering design among underserved youth (ages 11-14 years old) and give them resources for college readiness. Youth need opportunities to explore emerging engineering fields. We want to increase diversity and representation and provide a venue for students to learn and grow, so that they can explore fields that might be not be easily accessible to them.
Program At A Glance
This program introduces engineering design in a stimulating way. We select 15-30 participants and conduct the training either face-to-face or in a virtual setting. We provide them with the necessary materials they need to hit the ground running. The students are split up into groups where they learn about the engineering design process - Identify, Research, Brainstorm, Analyze, Create, Evaluate, Communicate and Redesign. Our goal is to help them easily relate to and apply the design process to building their prototypes. Participants are encouraged to share their solutions so that they can develop confidence in presenting their ideas and can serve as mentors for other youth in the future.
About the Founder
WEinnov8 is the brainchild of Shivi Srikanth, a senior at North Reading High School, Massachusetts, Shivi is passionate about engineering and in particular, developing informal educational programs. She was recently awarded the Elihu Thomson Engineering award at NRHS. She also launched an online music school during COVID-19 for young kids.
Curriculum
The 6-week curriculum is designed to be accessible to learners with different levels of skill and interest. Learning outcomes include developing research skills, interpreting engineering solutions, designing simple structures with limitations, identifying criteria and constraints, learning how to troubleshoot and test a product, building teamwork and presentation skills, to name a few.
We strongly believe that products should be designed and engineered to benefit people from multiple backgrounds. It is vital for the engineering field to be more diverse, and our mission is to be able to foster that diversity.