NextFab Women in STEM Competition: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

At NextFab, we’re all about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and our recent Women in STEM Competition was a shining example of that spirit. The energy in the air was palpable as students from Camden Catholic High School walked through our doors, ready to dive into a world of innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning.

Robert Nardi, Sales Manager at NextFab, co-created the competition. He explained that this event was more than just a competition—it was a collaboration that began three years ago at a NextFab event where he met An, a STEM teacher at Camden Catholic. Bob teamed up with An to expose her students to the real-world applications of what they were learning in the classroom. Together, they brainstormed the idea of bringing Camden Catholic freshmen to NextFab twice a year to see the tools and technology in action, hoping to inspire them to think differently about their futures.

An carefully selected students from her class—those who showed a real passion for engineering and a drive to pursue STEM careers. These students represented a variety of interests, from biomedical engineering to mechanical engineering to medicine.

The competition lasted one week and was an intense experience for everyone involved. The students had to raise $2,500 to participate, but when they fell $700 short, NextFab stepped in to cover the difference. We also reduced the fee by $500, recognizing the importance of making this opportunity accessible.

After a few days of vigorous training, each group was tasked with developing a project that they would present in a Shark Tank-style pitch to a panel of judges, which included members of our product development team and member services. The projects were evaluated based on a rubric, and parents and family members were invited to witness the presentations.

Camden Catholic was proud to announce that Francine Fernandes ’24 and Dani Brown ’25 took the win with their “Stack-a-Light, a building toy with square tiles that magnetically attach to light up. They leveraged their understanding of parallel circuits and carefully analyzed how the product could aid development in children of different ages.

An later told Bob that the value of the experience far exceeded the cost. The students arrived each day eager to learn and quickly adapted to the machinery and tools at their disposal. It was truly amazing to watch them in action, their enthusiasm matched only by the dedication of our staff.

What stood out to Bob the most was how this experience gave the students a real sense of what’s possible when offered the right tools, guidance, and a team to work with. They learned that with the right resources and support, they could bring their ideas to life.

This event was a prototype, and the hope is to expand it in the future. Imagine this: 10 schools, each participating in a four-day competition over 10 weeks, with the top teams from each school advancing to compete against each other in a final challenge. It’s an exciting vision, one that could have a lasting impact on students as they prepare for college and their future careers.

But NextFab isn’t just about STEM. We welcome students interested in all kinds of hands-on work, whether it’s carpentry, woodworking, or even jewelry design. In today’s world, where the demand for skilled trades is growing, it’s crucial to show young people that there are many paths to success, paths that involve using both their hands and minds.

Bob says, “The highlight of the competition for me? Watching one of the students confidently operate a Bridgeport. Seeing her get a thrill out of mastering that machine was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do at NextFab.”

So, if you haven’t experienced NextFab yet, come on down! Whether you’re a student, a parent, or just someone curious about what’s possible, there’s something here for everyone. Let’s inspire the next generation of innovators, together.