On January 24, 2024, students from Skyline High School in Oakland, California participated in an IGNITE Program Workshop titled “Build Your Own Electric Motor” with Tesla. The event was led by an inspiring lineup of professionals from various departments at Tesla, including Melanie Richards, Global Supply Manager, Raw Materials, Ruthie Nelson, Test Equipment Engineer, Selene Reyes, Infrastructure Data Engineering Manager, Romina Rodriguez, Senior Thermal Controls Engineer, Sarah Weir, Senior Global Supply Manager, Battery and Energy Thermals, and Kamal Bains, Cell Modelling Engineer.
The event kicked off with students eagerly engaging in hands-on activities, constructing electric motors using wires, batteries, and magnets. The students were in for a surprise when a Tesla Cyber Truck appeared on campus. At the sight of the Cyber Truck, the excited students snapped pictures and marveled at the vehicle’s futuristic design. Experiencing the truck in person added an extra layer of enthusiasm to the workshop atmosphere.
Throughout the event’s activities, students had the opportunity to interact with the Panelists and Activity Leaders, asking questions about their career paths and experiences, and delved even deeper during the panel discussion. From inquiries about high school coursework to the necessity of advanced degrees, students gained insight into the diverse pathways to success within engineering and other STEM fields. Panelists emphasized that while STEM classes can be advantageous, you don’t necessarily need a PhD to pursue a career at Tesla. This overall message of inclusivity and opportunity resonated with the students, reinforcing the idea that passion and dedication can open doors to exciting opportunities.
While the hands-on motor-building activity provided practical knowledge, the Q&A session left an equally lasting impact on the students. The opportunity to interact and relate to such successful professionals left an impression and allowed students to see themselves in STEM.
We extend our thanks to the amazing Volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to make this event a resounding success. Thank you to Facilitator and Activity Leader Melanie Richards for making the event seem effortless. Thank you to Panelists and Activity Leaders Ruthie Nelson, Selene Reyes, Romina Rodriguez, Sarah Weir, and Kamal Bains, for inspiring and sharing your knowledge with IGNITE Students. Additionally, we extend a thank you to Educator Ayo Akatugba for her commitment to enriching the educational experiences of students.
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“This event has inspired me because it’s shown me that you don’t need to have a background in STEM to pursue a career in STEM. It’s also encouraged me to be more open-minded about looking at jobs related to STEM, especially since more women need to apply. My favorite thing I learned was how to create a motor, even though ours didn’t work. I found it interesting how we could spin wire using a battery, a magnet, and tape. Something else I learned that I enjoyed was what a cyber truck looked like; before, I didn’t know anything about it.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to see how many different opportunities, backgrounds, and experiences the volunteers use in their job today. I liked the fact that not all of them had the engineering mindset, and it was pretty cool to learn about their background and where they came to be in this company.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to learn my way around different areas of STEM and different parts. My favorite thing I learned today was how the workers came into the STEM career.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“Listening to the speakers made me realize that it’s a lot easier to work for a big tech company than I thought it was. Seeing the cyber truck in person made me much more interested in designing things. My favorite thing I learned about was that you can get a job even if you have no clue what you’re doing. It reassured me about my future.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was interesting to hear about the different levels of education and how some people don’t need a high-level degree to pursue a career in STEM. It was also nice to hear about how after the large amount of school we have to go through for a career in STEM, it pays off. I just had a lot of fun figuring out how to build the motor with my friends. I learned a lot about perseverance.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
About Tesla:
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through increasingly affordable electric vehicles in addition to renewable energy generation and storage.
About IGNITE Program Workshop Events:
In-Person Workshops are held at the students’ school with a group of company volunteers. These volunteers lead students through a hands-on STEM experience in small groups and then students in an IGNITE Panel and Q&A discussion.
About IGNITE Worldwide:
IGNITE Worldwide is a 501(c)3 nonprofit STEM education organization that aims to change gender and racial equity in STEM permanently and systematically. We work directly with teachers during the school day to provide programming that promotes gender equity and representation in STEM academics and careers. Through our award-winning program, IGNITE provides engaging, hands-on events that connect students with STEM professionals from industry leaders from around the world. Learn more at www.igniteworldwide.org.
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