On April 30, 2024, Camelot Elementary School 4th and 5th grade students participated in an IGNITE Field Trip to an active BNBuilders site in Tacoma, WA. This event offered students a hands-on experience at the campus of Oakland High School, which is currently undergoing a renovation. The event was facilitated by Veronica Almdale, Project Manager, with a panel of professionals including Maria Lamb, Marketing Coordinator, Donna Herr, Contracts Specialist, and Michelle Fa’amoe, Vendor Diversity Manager. Volunteers also included Holli Smith from TCF Architecture, Jayden Campbell, a carpenter apprentice, Geri Urbas, a construction executive, and Don Burnside, a laborer foreman who discussed forklifts. Eric Shelton, the Project Superintendent, led the site tour.
The day began with students donning protective gear, ready to explore the bustling construction site. Guided by Eric Shelton, the students got an up-close look at the intricacies of the project. The students were particularly fascinated by the heavy machinery, especially the forklifts, and the variety of materials used in construction. A highlight of the tour was learning about cranes, sparking questions like, “Where do cranes come from?” and “How long does it take to climb to the top of the crane?”
After the tour, the students participated in a panel discussion featuring Lamb, Herr, and Fa’amoe, all accomplished women in STEM. Each Panelist shared their unique career journey, emphasizing the importance of taking challenging classes and seizing opportunities. The Panelists encouraged the girls to explore various fields to discover their interests. This session was invaluable, as it allowed the students to visualize themselves in similar roles in the future and see the diverse professional roles STEM can offer.
The impact of the event was clear. The students were inspired by hearing the career pathways and stories of the Panelists. They were able to see first-hand the different roles available within the construction and related STEM industries. This exposure demystified these careers and made them seem attainable. According to Educator Cindi Bryant, the most beneficial aspect for the students was seeing women in STEM roles and learning about their journeys.
Thank you to Veronica Almdale and Eric Shelton for facilitating this amazing event, and to Shelton for the guided tour that brought the construction site to life. A special thank you to Maria Lamb, Donna Herr, and Michelle Fa’amoe, whose stories and insights were truly inspiring to the students. Additional thanks to Holli Smith, Jayden Campbell, and Geri Urbas for also sharing your expertise and experiences with the students. Thank you to Don Burnside for engaging the students with your forklift discussion. Lastly, special thanks to Educators Cindi Bryant and Charissa Eggleston for your dedication and support for your students and the IGNITE Program.
After attending this event:
67%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
73%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
81%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“This event showed me women can do jobs like this! I loved seeing the building.” – 5th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to think about how women can do anything.” – 4th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today inspired me because not a lot of girls are in STEM, and I am really into this because it’s cool! I love how we saw all the work on your project; it’s beautiful! When I’m older, I would love to work here.” – 4th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me because women can do anything they want to do!” – 4th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today inspired me to be confident.” – 5th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to want to be an engineer. Some of my favorite things about this event were learning more about STEM.” – 5th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me to try out for construction in the future.” – 4th Grade IGNITE Student
“It made me think that STEM jobs are fun. My favorite things about this field trip were the pizza, talking, and seeing the forklifts.” – 4th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today inspired me to think I can do anything. I liked exploring and learning about new things.” – 5th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me because I want to learn more about STEM and felt like I learned a lot. My favorite thing was going upstairs and the food.” – 5th Grade IGNITE Student
About BNBuilders:
BNBuilders was founded on the idea that there was a more integrated way to deliver construction projects. Through their early focus on life science work, they learned that a collaborative, project-first mentality supported by comprehensive preconstruction services, creative solution development, utilization of technology, and a passion for building constitute the recipe for success.
About IGNITE Program Field Trip Events:
IGNITE Field Trips offer a memorable, behind-the-scenes look at STEM in action and the wide range of career opportunities at the host company. Company employees interact directly with the students through an office tour, hands-on STEM activities, and 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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