Everyone has used something made by an engineer. From a toaster to a car; nearly everything people use today has started as a small thought in someone’s mind. CNHS girls have created a club to channel their inner creativity. Club leader Grace Huang talked about the club and what happens inside. SWENEXT is an acronym that the girls came up with to describe the club.
“So, SWENEXT, The SWE stands for Society of Women Engineers, and the NEXT is just next, like the next generation,” Huang said.
It’s a club for girls who want to participate in engineering, with plans to do STEM related activities. Despite this, it’s beginner friendly.
“It’s open for everyone,” Huang said. “I know a lot of people there who have no idea if they want to go into engineering, but they come because they can see their friends and that’s really fun.”
Huang noted that members don’t have to meet after school, and instead meet during some Advisories.
“We meet in Mr. Branham’s Room, 2212 during advisory,” Huang said. “Every other Wednesday, this year we’re doing Wednesday on A days.”
Huang said she is happy with the club’s success and attendance.
“We have over 20 members,” Huang said. “About 13-14 people come each time pretty consistently. I think it’s been pretty successful. Not even with just the membership, having everyone come together to talk about things they love is really important.”
Huang emphasizes the importance of the club to her.
“I loved building stuff as a kid, very cliche,” Huang said. “I really liked LEGOs and stuff like that. I really love the interdisciplinary nature of engineering. Engineering is everywhere. Anything you use someone had to engineer. And I really want to make that impact.”
Her love for engineering has transferred to her future as well.
“I’m partly planning on majoring in mechanical engineering in college,” Huang said.
Her passion also is for others in her community and she strives to make a change.
“There weren’t a lot of girls also doing [STEM], and I really wanted a place where we could all come together to feel safe and supported,” Huang said. “Because I know a lot of people end up dropping out of those things because they don’t feel like they have a community there, and I never want that to be the reason someone decides not to pursue STEM.”
Other girls have enjoyed taking part in SWENEXT, including Vincia Li.
“SWENEXT has been super cool,” Li said. “I think all of their activities are really cool. And they always invite someone to tell us about their engineering job. I think it’s really cool to hear about how their careers are.”
The attitude of the club is purely for fun, while also being academic in nature.
“I plan a lot of science related activities,” Huang said. “Recently this year we’ve done popsicle stick catapults, and we’ve just started a bigger project, a boat. We’re going to take cardboard and pool noodles, and stuff like that and each group is going to build a boat.”
Li noted her participation in the boat making contest.
“Whoever wins is going to get Starbucks gift cards, so it’ll be a lot of fun,” Li said.
Li recalled unique projects from past years.
“We designed a robotic arm. Last year for Halloween we worked on glow in the dark oobleck,” Li said.
The club hopes to be a space for everyone, no matter what career path members plan on following.
“Currently I’m more geared towards the medical field,” Li said. “I haven’t decided for sure, and I’m open to other options.”
