Join us in inspiring future generations of engineers!
Do you remember something you saw or experienced when you were young that first made you interested in engineering or technology? Something captured your imagination and helped shape the path that you followed.
Last year, the IEEE Richmond Section participated in Mission Tomorrow, bringing a collection of interactive, hands-on engineering and technology demonstrations to approximately 11,000 eighth-grade students from throughout Central Virginia. Our volunteers ranged from university students to Life Members, and together we made our participation a tremendous success.
Now we have the opportunity to do it again.
On October 20–22, 2026, the IEEE Richmond Section will return to Mission Tomorrow, the three-day career exploration event sponsored by ChamberRVA and Junior Achievement of Central Virginia. Event organizers are again expecting approximately 11,000 eighth-grade students.
Mission Tomorrow is a very fast-paced event. Groups of students move through six exhibition buildings, spending only about 15 minutes in each one. That gives us a short time to capture their attention, let them experience engineering and technology in action, and perhaps ignite the same spark that led many of us into our own careers.
We expect many of last year's demonstrations to return. Some may be refreshed or updated, and some new demonstrations may be added as well. We would like our members to be part of shaping what we present this year.
There are two main ways you can help:
- Help us prepare for Mission Tomorrow. We can use volunteers interested in developing, updating, testing, or helping us prepare engaging demonstrations for the students.
- Volunteer at Mission Tomorrow on October 20, 21, or 22. You do not need to be there for the entire day. Even if you can only spare an hour or two, we can use your help presenting demonstrations and talking with students about engineering and technology.
Our exhibit schedule on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be from 10:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Tentatively, setup is scheduled for Monday, October 19, between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and a small number of volunteers will be needed to help set things up. We will also need a small number of volunteers to help pack everything back up after 1:00 PM on Thursday.
Click Here to Volunteer or to Stay Informed
If at all possible, please register by October 1st so that you can be part of the planning for the event.
Whether you are an IEEE Student Member, Member, Senior Member, or Life Member, we would welcome your participation. You do not need previous STEM outreach experience. Last year's Mission Tomorrow showed what Richmond Section volunteers can accomplish when we bring together our different backgrounds, interests, and areas of expertise.
If you might be interested in helping, or if you simply want to stay informed as our plans develop, please register using the link in this announcement. You do not need to know yet which day or hours you will be available.
Help us give another 11,000 young people a chance to see engineering and technology in action—and perhaps inspire some of the engineers and technologists who will follow in our footsteps.
