WIE STAR Program
The IEEE Student-Teacher and Research Engineer/Scientist (STAR) Program was developed to address the growing concern that, at a young age, girls are discouraged from careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
Our 2026 Vision:
Every young student, regardless of geography, culture, or background, sees STEM as a place where they belong, can succeed, and have their ideas valued.
By unifying activities under one global theme and providing powerful educational tools, STAR becomes a sustainable engine of inspiration that continues to grow year after year.
The STAR program combats the trend where young students lose interest in STEM at an early age. The 2026 vision is to create a “sustainable engine of inspiration” to ensure every young student feels she belongs in STEM. This is achieved through classroom visits, mentorship, and hands-on experiences.
STAR 2026 Goals & Objectives
Deliver Meaningful, Creative and Sustainable Impact
Inspire Through Storytelling
Continuity & Mentoring
Cross-Community Collaboration
How Will WIE Achieve This?
The IEEE STAR Program addresses the critical need to encourage young talents to pursue mathematics, science, and engineering careers. Our multi-faceted approach includes:
Reportable Pre-University Outreach Activities
Participating groups can report the following types of activities:
| Activity Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Classroom Activities | Direct engagement in school settings |
| Humanitarian Projects | Community-focused STEM initiatives |
| Competitions | STEM challenges and contests |
| Hands-On Activities | Practical workshops and experiments |
| Teacher Training | Professional development for educators |
| Mentoring Programs | One-on-one and group guidance |
| Public Awareness | Community outreach and awareness campaigns |
| Field Trips | Visits to STEM workplaces and institutions |
| Technical Networking | Building professional connections |
Get Involved in STAR 2026
Important Requirements: IEEE Activities With Children
IEEE is committed to providing an enriching experience and safe environment for all children who participate in IEEE programs and activities, throughout the myriad of educational programs, STEM projects and related opportunities. If you currently participate in IEEE programs that involve working with children, or plan to do so, you must first visit the IEEE Activities with Children page to complete requirements.
The STEM Portal
The STEM Portal is for IEEE Volunteers and serves as a resource for all things related to Pre-University STEM programs and activities. Here, you can share your STEM best practices and programs with IEEE’s global community of volunteers, find inspiration from what others are doing, and utilize resources from this portal to develop or enhance your own programs.
The IEEE Reach Program
The IEEE REACH Program (https://reach.ieee.org), managed by the IEEE History Center provides pre-university teachers with free open education resources (OER) that place engineering and technology in their societal and historical perspectives. With a focus on the social relevance of technology students understand how technology shapes society and how society shapes it. Research has shown, when students understand the social relevance of science and technology, they are more likely to pursue STEM, especially female students!
