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Western Engineering Outreach celebrates 35 years of inspiring the next generation

Western Engineering Outreach is committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to explore and grow in STEM—no matter their background. (Jacob Arts/ Western Engineering photo)

In 1990, Western Engineering Outreach (WEO) was founded as a four-week-long summer camp with a simple yet ambitious goal: to engage young minds in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Over the past 35 years, WEO has expanded far beyond its original mission, becoming a year-round initiative that reaches thousands of children and youth in London and surrounding communities.

Western Engineering Outreach has made it a priority to remove barriers to STEM participation, ensuring that all children—regardless of background—have opportunities to explore and develop their skills.

“We focus on inclusion and belonging by creating fun and engaging STEM activities that build confidence and keep kids excited about STEM,” says Lauren Hollis, Manager of Outreach at Western Engineering.

“Our programs have grown to support underrepresented youth in STEM, including girls, Black youth, Indigenous youth, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, rural youth and youth with disabilities.”

Beyond the campus, WEO actively collaborates with schools, museums, libraries and community groups such as the Boys and Girls Club and Girl Guides of Canada. These partnerships help bring STEM directly to children and their families in familiar environments. “STEM is for everyone,” Hollis emphasizes. “We want kids to experience hands-on STEM activities and meet Western Engineering students who can inspire them.”

35 Years of Impact

Through its diverse programming—including leadership programs, in-class workshops, summer camps and weekend clubs—Western Engineering Outreach has made a profound impact on young learners. In 2024 alone, WEO engaged over 22,000 youth across London and surrounding areas.

One of the department’s longest-running initiatives, all-girls programming, includes popular events such as Go ENG Girl and Go CODE Girl, which introduce young girls to engineering concepts through interactive activities and mentorship.

“Taking part in Go ENG Girl and Go CODE Girl throughout my youth allowed me to see how engineers shape the world,” recalls a former participant who is now an engineering student. “Seeing women in a predominantly male field showcase their skills and experiences inspired me to pursue engineering.”

More recently, the department launched Western Engineering Beginning for Black Youth (WEBBY), a mentorship program connecting Black youth with role models in STEM. Another notable success is the Indigenous Leaders in Training program, a two-day STEM leadership event that provides Indigenous youth with hands-on learning experiences and career guidance. “I learned so much about future career options that I never considered before,” shared an Indigenous LIT participant. “Now, I’m really interested in how computer science can help with storm detection!”

Strengthening STEM Through Partnerships

Western Engineering Outreach’s success would not be possible without strong partnerships. We have been a proud network member of Actua, a leading Canadian STEM youth outreach organization since 1993. Together, the Actua Network annually engages over 500,000 youth in 600 communities across Canada in transformative STEM learning experiences that build critical skills and confidence.

Hydro One has also played a key role, particularly through its involvement in the WEMADEIT Consortium, a partnership launched in 2013 to encourage more young women to pursue engineering.

“Actua and Hydro One help sustain our programs year after year,” says Hollis. “They provide resources, networking opportunities and funding that enable us to expand our reach, including launching new initiatives like programming for Black youth.”

Looking to the Future

As Western Engineering Outreach embarks on its 35th summer camp season, the department remains committed to shaping the engineers of tomorrow. “Our focus is on building future-ready skills in kids—problem-solving, critical thinking, digital literacy, AI literacy and teamwork—all through engaging STEM activities,” says Hollis. “By combining skills, confidence and awareness, we empower youth in our community to succeed.”

Western Engineering Outreach’s journey over the past 35 years has been one of growth, inclusion and impact. As it continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the department will keep inspiring young minds to explore, innovate and pursue their passions in STEM for generations to come.