Frequently Asked Questions

TryEngineering.org is a comprehensive STEM education portal powered by IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional organization. Our mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of technology innovators by providing free, high-quality resources to engage school aged children.

The site features:

• Over 130 classroom-ready free lesson plans
• Engaging hands-on engineering activities
• Interactive virtual programs and events

TryEngineering is designed for a broad audience dedicated to inspiring future engineers and technology innovators. The platform serves:

• Educators – by offering free, high-quality STEM lesson plans, hands-on activities, and teaching resources to engage students in engineering and technology.
• Parents and Guardians – by providing at-home STEM activities and guidance to support their children’s learning and curiosity.
• Engineering Professionals and Volunteers – by enabling meaningful connections with classrooms and communities through outreach, mentoring, and virtual visits.

TryEngineering.org empowers each group with tools and inspiration to help school-aged children discover the exciting possibilities in STEM!

You can explore a wide range of free, high-quality engineering lesson plans on the Lesson Plans page at TryEngineering.org.  These resources are designed for school-aged children and include:

• Hands-on design challenges – Engage students with real-world problem solving
• Step-by-step instructions – Easy to follow guidance for educators and learners
• Printable student handouts and worksheets – Ready to use materials for classroom or home
• STEM-aligned topics – Covering areas like force and motion, smart buildings, artificial intelligence, and more

All lesson plans are peer-reviewed by technical experts and educators to ensure accuracy, relevance, and classroom readiness.

Joining the TryEngineering STEM Community is easy and rewarding! Here’s how you can get involved:

• Sign Up Online – Visit TryEngineering.org and look for the “Join the STEM Community”or “Get Involved” section to create your free account.
• Subscribe to the Newsletter – Stay updated with the latest STEM lesson plans, activities, events, and opportunities by subscribing to the TryEngineering newsletter.
• Connect & Collaborate – Once you’re in, you can engage with other educators, students, professionals, and volunteers through forums, webinars, and outreach programs.
• Share Your Passion – Whether you’re an educator, engineer, or STEM enthusiast, you can contribute by mentoring, sharing resources, or participating in virtual classroom visits.
• Follow & Engage on Social Media – Share your STEM journey and stay inspired. Connect with TryEngineering on social platforms below!

There are several exciting ways you can get involved and support our mission to inspire future engineers:

1. Submit Educational Content
   Have a great lesson plan or STEM activity? Share your original content with us! Visit the STEM Community Resources Page to get started.
2. Share Your STEM Story
   Whether you’re a student, educator, parent, or engineer, your journey can inspire others. Use our Share Your Success Story Form to tell us your story.
3. Volunteer or Partner
   Want to mentor, collaborate, or support STEM outreach? Email us to explore opportunities or visit our Support Our Mission Page.
4. Provide Feedback
   Help us grow! Share your ideas or suggestions by contacting us! Feedback on lesson plans? Take our Lesson Plan Survey.
5. Spread the Word & Donate
   Share our resources with your network and use #TryEngineering on social media to help others discover the world of engineering. Navigate to our Donate page to help support TryEngineering’s mission.

TryEngineering.org offers a wide range of resources designed to spark curiosity and support learning in engineering and STEM fields. Here’s what you’ll find:

1. Lesson Plans & Activities
   Explore hands-on, classroom-ready lesson plans for school-aged children, created by educators and engineers to make STEM learning fun and engaging.
2. Educator Tools
   Teachers can access professional development materials, classroom strategies, and outreach ideas in the Explore Resources page and STEM Community Resources page.
3. Engineering Outreach Programs
   Discover global initiatives and programs that foster engineering education and community engagement. Visit the Get Involved page to learn more.
4. Events & Webinars
   Stay up-to-date with STEM events, webinars, and competitions by visiting the Virtual Events and Global Events page.

Yes! TryEngineering.org is completely free to use for students, educators, parents, and STEM enthusiasts. You do not need to pay for a membership to access lesson plans, activities, student resources, or educator tools. You can access all of the following at no cost:

• Lesson Plans & Activities
• Educator Tools
• Outreach Programs
• Events & Webinars

🎓 IEEE Membership & Grant Eligibility

• To apply for the IEEE TryEngineering STEM Grant Program, you must be an active IEEE member. The program is designed to support IEEE volunteers who are engaged in STEM outreach for pre-university students
• Membership fees apply to IEEE, but you do not need to pay for TryEngineering separately.
• The grant covers STEM project supplies and outreach activities, not membership fees.
• You can learn how to become a IEEE member at “Learn About IEEE Membership”

More details about funding tiers, eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and how to apply can be found on the TryEngineering STEM Grants Page.