About SWE Next Wake County
SWE Next Wake County is more than a club—it’s a community where girls turn creativity into engineering. Whether you love building, coding, designing, music, or art, we show how STEM connects to your passions and helps you invent solutions that matter.
Our Mission
We believe every girl deserves the chance to see herself as an engineer, a problem-solver, and a leader. SWE Next Wake County empowers students ages 13-18 to explore STEM in ways that feel fun, personal, and real.
Through hands-on workshops, competitions, and educational projects, we spark curiosity and build confidence. Our members get early access to tools, STEM kits, and educational resources while creating projects that blend engineering with art, music, and design. Together, we’re building a network of girls who support each other, grow their skills, and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Our Values
Innovation
We empower students to blend creativity with engineering, turning curiosity into projects that inspire, solve problems, and open doors to future opportunities in STEM.
Accessibility
We focus on helping students in our community access STEM resources and opportunities, with special attention to those from underprivileged backgrounds who may not otherwise have these opportunities.
Empowerment
We believe in empowering students to take leadership roles, build confidence in STEM fields, and create positive change in their communities through education and innovation.
Meet Our Founder
Ria Shah
Founder & Leader of SWE Next Wake County, passionate innovator, and patent holder making STEM accessible to all students. Ria combines technical excellence with community outreach to inspire the next generation of engineers.
🔬 Innovation & Patents
Provisional patent holder for a posture correction device, demonstrating real-world problem-solving through engineering innovation.
🎵 Creative Engineering
Self-playing piano project showcasing the intersection of music, technology, and engineering creativity.
Leadership Philosophy: "Engineering is creativity in action. Whether it's solving posture problems through innovative devices or bringing music to life through technology, every engineering project is an opportunity to make the world better and more beautiful."
Get In Touch
Have questions about our program or want to learn more about partnership opportunities? We'd love to hear from you.
swenextwakecounty@gmail.com
Service Area
North Carolina (Focus on Underserved Communities)