Why Attend Invent It. Build It.?
Cost: The cost to attend is only $5! Financial assistance for groups over 50 is available upon request.
Event Location:
Los Angeles Convention Center
West Hall
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, California 90015
Studies have shown that girls perform at similar levels as their male counterparts, but their confidence and interest in engineering and math decline between 11-13 years old. Why? A lack of support, resources and programming designed to encourage their interest in STEM. As part of the mission of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), the Invent It. Build It. (IIBI) program was created as a solution to this problem.
IIBI aims to build pre-college students’ confidence and interest in STEM by combining creativity, innovation, exploration through hands-on activities and learning firsthand from SWE members and their peers. This is achieved through a four-pronged approach:
Our Opening Ceremony Session will open with demonstrations from Diana Mogena and Jay Flores, learn more about them Below.
Diana Mogena, Visualization and Interaction Science Manager at Accenture and host of “It’s Not Magic, It’s Science!”
She obtained her degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida and since then has been breaking barriers and blazing trails for girls and underrepresented communities in STEM. Her passion for increasing access and equity in STEM is helping create an environment where everyone is welcome to leave their mark in STEM.
Jay Flores, Global STEM Ambassador, founder of Invent The Change and a star on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior!
He is the host of PBS’s innovation show Make48 and starred on shows for Telemundo and ESPN. Jay is the most influential Hispanic voice in K-12 STEM reaching millions of students monthly. He is a Mystery Guide on Discovery Education’s Mystery Science, the most widely used K-5 science resource in the United States. Jay is also the creator and host of “It’s Not Magic, It’s Science!,” one of the most innovative brands focused on equitable access to entertaining STEM experiences.
Get ready to get your hands dirty with Deysi Melgar! Discover your STEM identity and level up your exploration as students express their creative and innovative sides of engineering and technology. Students will have an opportunity to engage and work with peers and real engineers through one to three hands-on engineering activities that focus on an engineering discipline, skills-building, teamwork and ingenuity.
Deysi Melgar
Deysi Melgar came to the U.S. from Mexico at age 7 and developed a love for math. She also loved acting, singing, and dancing, and chose to attend a high school for performing arts, where she was drawn to the technical side of theater. Deysi never considered a career in STEM, until her work on the PBS Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning TV series Design Squad. Deysi is a graduate of Wheaton College (Norton, MA) with a BA in Physics. Deysi works at Boston Logan Internatonal Airport managing various airline service operations. Her passion for aviation has led Deysi to pursue her private pilot’s certificate, with an end goal of one day flying private aircrafts.
Step into the next level of your STEM journey with Tamara Robertson! Engaged in STEM opportunities in your local community? Join this program for an elevated experience, putting problem solving skills and engineering knowledge to work! Students will engage in more challenging hands-on activities with their peers and real engineers focused on an engineering discipline, skills-building, teamwork and ingenuity.
Tamara Robertson, is a Television Host and Emmy Nominated Producer best known for her role as a co-host and fabricator on the reboots of Mythbusters as well as co-hosting Scijinks with Johnny Galecki for the Discovery Channel.
Tamara is also a Patent holding, OSHA Certified Chemical & Biomolecular Engineer with over a decade of experience as a Design Engineer working on Greenfield Startups, developing patentable technologies and helping companies reduce the waste they put into landfills.
Tamara was recognized as a Marvel Agent of G.I.R.L. in the Marvel Comic “Unstoppable Wasp” by writer Jeremy Whitley for being a real-life superhero for her contributions within Engineering as well as her work empowering and normalizing young girls in STEM through her Superhero Science outreach. She is an Ambassador for the SWE Next program and co-producer for a STEM Outreach comic called “Seekers of Science”.
Tamara is also a leading voice in the Maker Community working to normalize women in Shop Environments and empower them by teaching them to utilize tools to build the future they want for themselves and others. She hosts a Maker Podcast called “Tinkering Belles” and a series called “Shop Science” where she helps to connect the dots between Artisanal Trades Skills and STEM Careers.
Parents and educators play a crucial role in girls’ success in pursuing an engineering career. At this event, SWE highlights this “village” of support by providing resources to better advocate for girls in STEM. Parents/guardians and STEM advocates such as teachers, counselors and administrators are encouraged to learn more from a panel of industry professionals and SWE member experts about engineering career options, scholarships, college admissions and available resources to prepare students for college.
Invent It. Build It. Parents & STEM Advocates Program – Panelists
Anise Grant, Senior Computer Systems Architect, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC)
Anise has a B.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduating, Anise joined NGC as a system engineer and supported a variety of space and cyber programs. She currently works in the NGC Chief Innovation Office as a computer system architect, enabling enterprise delivery of digital transformation tools. Anise is also the FY24 K-12 Outreach Chair for the SWE Los Angeles Professionals Section. In her free time, Anise enjoys hiking and skating down the Strand.
Nancy McIntyre, Community Innovations Manager, Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Nancy has a BS and MA in Education, and spent most of her 23-year career teaching science and working with student robotics programs. She now works for the non-profit Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to provide every educator with competition, education, and workforce readiness programs. Nancy helped develop the REC Foundation’s first online curriculum. She worked with teachers around the world to incorporate robotics teams at their schools. Nancy’s forward thinking has also led to the development of several foundation initiatives including the Online Challenges, Girl Powered, the Scholarship program, and the Internship program.
Zoe Monterola, Student, Materials Science & Engineering, UCLA
Zoe is a 3rd-year Materials Science & Engineering Student specializing in Tech Management at UCLA’s Samueli School of Engineering. Zoe’s career goals include both developing and marketing scientific innovations. Zoe is the Publicity Director of SWE@UCLA and Creative Director for Bruin Advertising & Marketing Team, UCLA’s award-winning student-run advertising agency where she’s had the opportunity to ideate million-dollar campaigns for brands like Meta, Tide, and Indeed. Zoe has completed internships with start-up ViBo Health through the California Nanoscience Institute (CNSI) and Allied Global Marketing. When she isn’t looking for a new place to order matcha, you can find Zoe running or scrapbooking.
Monica Harrison, R&D Engineering Manager, Keysight Technologies
Monica is an R&D Manager in the High Frequency Measurements Center of Excellence at Keysight Technologies. She holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from San Francisco State University, has over 16 years of industry experience, and many years of SWE and community outreach. Monica’s life experiences and the successes she has achieved in her own STEM career, drives her passion about STEM outreach and advocacy for gender equity. Monica has mentored many young professionals and college students pursuing engineering. She lives in the California Bay Area, has two adult children, and has been married for 26 years.
Supported by:
Toolkits & Resources
- Download – PDF Document (External Link)
- Download – ZIP File (External Link)
Attendees will not only participate in STEM learning and engagement, but they will take part in the following activities:
- Networking breakfast with SWE members and industry professionals
- Work on hands-on engineering activities.
- Meet students, STEM advocates, SWE members, and engineers as part of the local community to continue engaging with after the event
- Participate in conversations with SWE members from around the world and learn how to navigate a career in a male-dominated field.
- Receive information on how to select the right college, where to find scholarships and how to be a successful engineer.
- Get fun swag and other goodies!
To ensure the safety of all minors attending IIBI, attendees under the age of 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian who remains on the premises for the duration of the event. Please plan accordingly. SWE encourages parents and guardians to participate in the Parent & STEM Advocate program track or wait in the Parent/Guardian Lounge while onsite.
SWE has more opportunities available for students interested in STEM. Join SWENext to gain access to various programs, mentors and resources designed to develop leadership skills and self-confidence to #BeThatEngineer. Although SWENext focuses on girls, all students are encouraged to get involved. Are you an adult advocate or educator? Find out ways you can participate and provide support by joining the community.
Questions about IIBI? Please email us at outreach@swe.org