December 2025 STEM newsletter
Opportunity Spotlight: Girl Scouts STEM Center Partnership + 2026 TryEngineering Grants
The IEEE Cleveland Section is launching a new outreach initiative in collaboration with the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio at the Vivian von Gruenigen, MD STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood—the only dedicated STEM center inside a U.S. National Park.
| This 8,000-sq-ft, year-round facility includes: A wet lab Maker/tech workshop Observatory Outdoor classrooms Green roof and sustainability features |  |
The center serves thousands of Girl Scouts annually and is also open to school groups and community educators. Its hands-on, nature-integrated design makes it ideal for IEEE-led engineering workshops.
About IEEE TryEngineering
TryEngineering provides:
| STEM Grants supporting K–12 engineering outreach 130+ free lesson plans and hands-on activities Resources for workshops, camps, teacher training, and student events |  |
This year, Cleveland Section volunteers can design workshops using TryEngineering curricula and apply for funding through the 2026 TryEngineering STEM Grant cycle.
Why This Partnership Matters
Camp Ledgewood’s STEM mission aligns directly with IEEE’s goals of promoting engineering education, mentorship, and equitable access. Potential program themes include:
Sample Workshop Concepts
1. Design for the Park – Environmental Engineering
Water-quality testing, solar prototypes, habitat sensors, watershed filtration.
2. Ranger Bot – Robotics & Coding
Navigation bots, obstacle courses, mapping challenges, optics and imaging modules.
3. Green Roof to Grid – Renewable Energy
Wind/solar investigations, sustainability design labs, energy audits.
All programs can incorporate:
- STEM badge pathways
- Short career vignettes from IEEE volunteers
- Design–build–test cycles
How TryEngineering Grants Can Support This Work
Funding may cover:
- Robotics kits, sensors, microcontrollers
- Wet-lab equipment and consumables
- Transportation scholarships for underserved troops
- Part-time coordination
- Curriculum printing, PPE, and evaluation materials
Volunteers are needed to serve as program coordinators and workshop instructors.
Next Steps for Interested Members
- Join the volunteer core team (contact Maureen Garnett at [email protected]).
- Help draft a pilot workshop proposal and budget.
- Prepare for the 2026 TryEngineering Grant deadline (January 2, 2026).
- Attend the Grant Seminar on December 16, 2025 to strengthen your application.
STEM Equipment Program: New Demonstration Tools
The IEEE Cleveland STEM Equipment Program expanded its inventory this year with three new high-voltage demonstration devices:
| Wimshurst Electrostatic Generator Tesla Coil Jacob’s Ladder |  |
These devices are available for checkout by educators and IEEE members and bring electricity and engineering concepts to life through unforgettable demonstrations.
Recently, the equipment was loaned to the Al Ihsan School of Excellence for their STEM Night—students were thrilled by the hands-on electrical experiments, many experiencing such phenomena for the first time.
To borrow equipment, contact the STEM Outreach Committee.
STEM Opportunity Board
Have an event needing volunteers, attendance, or sponsorship? Interested in volunteering?
Email: [email protected]
Upcoming IEEE STEM Opportunities
Northeast Ohio Science & Engineering Fair (NEOSEF) in March
Volunteer opportunity as a special judge. – More info: NEOSEF.org; contact [email protected]
Score with STEM Showcases
- Cleveland Charge – March 3
- Cleveland Cavaliers – March 27
IEEE Cleveland will demonstrate STEM equipment at both events.
Contact Gavin White ([email protected]) to participate.
Learn More
- TryEngineering: https://tryengineering.org/
- Girl Scouts STEM Center: https://www.gsneo.org/en/support-us/donate/ways-to-give/stem-center-of-excellence.html
- IEEE Cleveland STEM Equipment Program: Contact the Section STEM Outreach Committee