Contributed by:
Kim Jones, P. Eng.
ONWiE Chair
At the Forward Engineering Collective, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to STEM education for underrepresented K-12 students across Canada. Part of this mission involves amplifying the efforts of like-minded organizations, like the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE), whose work aligns with our vision of fostering inclusive learning environments.
The annual ONWiE Summit is a shining example of collective impact, where professionals come together to share best practices and push the boundaries of effective outreach. In 2024, their virtual Summit focused on evaluating outreach programs, an essential step in ensuring initiatives are meaningful, accessible, and impactful for youth, particularly girls and non-binary students.
Through this Summit, participants gained actionable insights from thought leaders like Agnes d’Entremont, Daniel Munro, and Allison Van, learning how to design outreach programs with intention, measure their effectiveness thoughtfully, and share outcomes through compelling storytelling. This type of collaboration is what helps us all advance the “E” in STEM—empowering underrepresented groups with the skills, support, and confidence to thrive in engineering.
Stories like these inspire our ongoing efforts to create a network of organizations working together to make STEM more accessible and equitable. They demonstrate how sharing knowledge and reflecting on our practices can collectively drive change.