IGNITE Panel at West Seattle HS

 

Mar. 19, 2019 | West Seattle High School  | Damaris Pearson 

On March 19th, West Seattle High School hosted an IGNITE Panel presentation! We had 64 engaged young women eager to learn more about careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). 

The Panel was made up of three diverse women who held varying positions in STEM at Nordstrom, Microsoft and Amazon. 

The women spoke about their career paths, and what it’s like being a woman in a male-dominated field. Their stories were compelling and very eye-opening for the students! The response was overwhelming! All of the students were interested in IGNITE after the Panel, and they even started a plan to develop a STEM Careers club at school to keep the energy high. Thanks to IGNITE and to the PTSA  for funding pizza and snacks for the event. 

Thank you to the three IGNITE speakers who shared their experiences with the girls at West Seattle High School!

 

 

After attending this event:

91%

of girls/non-binary students are more interested in STEM

94%

of girls/non-binary students want to study harder to attend college and further their education

Here's what the students enjoyed most:

"I loved that I could hear these stories of amazing women and then have my questions answered."

- 10th grade

 

"My highlight was hearing each woman's backstory on their careers and what it's like being a woman in a male dominated field."

- 9th grade

 

"When they talked about how going to college and not knowing what you want is okay."

- 10th grade

 

 

"The honesty in the room and the insights that were given for being a woman in the workplace."

- 11th grade

 

"I liked hearing about struggles that these women overcame and how they all grew from problems."

- 9th grade

 

"I enjoyed hearing their background stories and how they got to where they are. I was inspired by the abilities of the women."

- 11th grade

 

"It helped me realize that there are many allies that are women in this industry."

- 12th grade

 

"I liked how each woman had a different story of how they got into the STEM program."

- 12th grade

 

"I liked learning about how we need more women in STEM. This made me interested because it made me think about how us women need to rise up and not let all the men have the glory."

- 10th grade

 

"That woman have the power and should have a voice, and have confidence. And it's giving me strength and I am proud to be a woman."

- 9th grade

 

"I enjoyed the variance of jobs that the women had and how they each told their unique stories."

- 11th grade