On January 31, 2024, Eastlake High School in Sammamish, Washington welcomed Jetson, a rising startup in the tech world, for an IGNITE Start Your Own Business Workshop. Led by Natalie Young, Co-founder and CTO of Jetson, alongside a team of industry professionals, including Small Group Leaders Murat Akyuz and Jaafar Altameemi, the event introduced students to creativity and innovation within STEM.
The Workshop was full of energy and entrepreneurship as students delved into the intricacies of launching a startup. Using the Jetson App as their guide, they navigated through the terrain of brainstorming business ideas and dissecting competitors’ strategies. The Jetson team shared candid insights from their own startup journeys.
One highlight of the event was the engaging panel discussion featuring Anna Hong, CEO of GirlUp Entrepreneurs, alongside Jetson’s Natalie Young. The Panelists shared wisdom from their entrepreneurial voyages and career experiences. Students had the opportunity to ask questions, which gave them a look into the genesis of Jetson’s “perfect business idea” and the details of startup hiring practices.
Amidst the whirlwind of ideas and advice, a clear message emerged: Cultivating a growth mindset and community engagement are the cornerstones of entrepreneurial success. Students were encouraged to step beyond their comfort zones, embracing the challenges of the real world with a critical eye and a solution-oriented mindset. As the event drew to a close, it was obvious that the students had some wonderful takeaways.
Thank you to Natalie Young, Murat Akyuz, Jaafar Altameemi, Max Lieberman, and Anna Hong. Your invaluable contributions as Volunteers and Panelists made a lasting impression on the students. Thank you to Educator Eilene Klaka for her commitment to empowering young minds and fostering a nurturing learning environment.
After attending this event:
100%
of students are interested in STEM
75%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
88%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
79%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“This event taught me more about creating a business and how to think about it. I enjoyed the group picture at the end :)” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I learned a lot more about tech entrepreneurship, how to start a business, and what really matters.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me for Technovation and also helped me motivate myself to create an app of my own in the future. I learned new business ideas with their app!” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I’ve been getting more and more interested in entrepreneurship and business lately and have been conflicted about how to balance my computer science interests with it, and this event really helped me figure out what I want to do. You can be interested in a STEM field while also developing your business skills, and you shouldn’t hesitate too much if you have an idea you’re passionate about. You should just go for it.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“I liked how the volunteers were very honest and gave me a way to get started, which is the hardest part. This was so fun and awesome. Thanks for taking the time to help us.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
About Jetson:
Jetson is an entrepreneurship app built for young minds to explore, create, and bring their business dreams to life. Through engaging, gamified quizzes and innovative AI tools, Jetson walks alongside you on your journey from idea to execution. Your dreams of starting a business are welcomed and celebrated as Jetson works with you to turn sparks of inspiration into exciting ventures. Build, learn, and grow with Jetson!
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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