2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

While women perform at parity with men in high school mathematics and science courses, they remain underrepresented in engineering fields, particularly in electrical engineering. This disparity suggests that factors beyond academic preparation contribute to the gender gap in engineering. To address these challenges, early and sustained intervention is critical. This paper explores strategies to encourage women to pursue and persist in engineering education, with a focus on middle and high school outreach programs that align with the mission of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Women in Engineering Division (WIED) to increase participation and retention of women in STEM.

We present two initiatives aimed at engaging young women in engineering: the Young Engineers Club and the Women Empowered by Engineering (WEBE) initiative. Both programs use hands-on, inquiry-based learning to inspire female middle and high school students. The Young Engineers Club encourages participants to explore engineering through creative projects and problem-solving activities, while the WEBE initiative offers additional mentoring and exposure to engineering careers by emphasizing the societal impact of engineering fields such as health, communication, and sustainability. Both initiatives are supported by female engineering students and professionals, who act as role models and mentors, addressing key barriers such as lack of visibility and societal stereotypes.

Evaluation of both programs is based on participant journaling and project-based assessments, which track problem-solving skills and growth in STEM interest. These programs also link participants to further opportunities through residential summer camps and other outreach efforts, contributing to long-term retention in STEM fields. This paper highlights the effectiveness of early outreach, mentorship, and the creation of gender-inclusive learning environments in attracting more women to engineering and sustaining their engagement throughout their educational journeys.

This study contributes to the conversation on transformative approaches for improving recruitment and retention of women in engineering education, demonstrating how targeted initiatives at an early age can help bridge the gender gap and empower young women to pursue fulfilling careers in engineering.