On October 24, 2024, 23 juniors and seniors from Lincoln High School visited Weyerhaeuser’s LEED-certified corporate office for an engaging and interactive IGNITE Field Trip. The event was led by Jamie Williams, with support from Greeters Tina Hixson, Darcy Hagedorn, and Carrie Oates; Tour Guides Lacey Hawk and Eli Orton; and Activity Leader Stephanie Tanuwijaya. Small group mentorship was provided by Jamie Williams, Lacey Hawk, Amon Johnson, Darcy Hagedorn, Eli Orton, Brishan Hamilton, Daniela Cuevas, Carrie Oates, Eliza Tovgaev, Jamie Thornton-Frost, Stephanie Tanuwijaya, and John Conlan. The panel discussion featured Stephanie Tanuwijaya, Daniela Cuevas, and Yuzhen Li, with Stephanie Tanuwijaya as the Lead Panelist. The trip was organized in partnership with Educator Wyn Pottinger-Levy.
The students began their visit with a tour of Weyerhaeuser’s state-of-the-art office, where they explored the workspace and imagined day-to-day activities in a professional environment. They also saw videos showcasing Weyerhaeuser’s fieldwork and the vibrant forestry work that fuels their operations in the Pacific Northwest.
In small groups, students participated in a gamified activity led by Stephanie Tanuwijaya, which focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Students role-played planning and harvesting trees in collaboration with Weyerhaeuser mentors. The interactive game was a hit, with many students wanting to play repeatedly.
Lunch featured a panel discussion with Weyerhaeuser employees, who shared their career journeys, challenges, and encouragement for pursuing interests and strengths. The diverse Panelists provided thoughtful insights, including advice to remain open to unexpected career paths, as shared by an employee whose career in forestry began reluctantly but turned into a fulfilling passion.
Students asked thoughtful questions, including how school subjects relate to career preparation, the possibility of promotions, and how to secure internships with Weyerhaeuser. The day concluded with students expressing gratitude for the supportive and positive environment fostered by Weyerhaeuser staff, who went above and beyond to inspire their guests. From the stunning views on the living roof to the engaging activities, this field trip left a lasting impression on everyone involved.
“It was inspiring hearing the panelists talk about their careers, the paths they took, and how their past experiences shaped them. My favorite thing I learned today was about unexpected aspects of the logging industry, like wildfire research, business analytics, and new technologies like drones.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to look into fields I’d never considered. I enjoyed hearing from other women of Asian descent and learning about their experiences. I liked seeing the building and doing the simulation activity.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was really cool to see women in STEM and hear their different stories and perspectives. I didn’t know how much technology was involved in forestry.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event showed me how broad the STEM field is and how many specific pathways there are. I was really interested in how the panelists got into their careers and how their paths changed from what they originally intended to pursue. As a high schooler who is unsure of what I want to do, it made me feel more confident.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was interesting to see all the opportunities. I liked learning from real jobs and real people and learning about forestry and all the different components and roles in the business.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
96%
INTERESTED IN STEM
85%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
75%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
82%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“It was cool to see how many different paths can come out of college. Admissions are scary, but today’s event made me feel better. I learned how Weyerhaeuser and other companies use STEM, like data analytics, to profit year by year.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was good to see entry-level employees making a difference at Weyerhaeuser and to hear from people who want us to be involved. I enjoyed learning about how each part of Weyerhaeuser’s business operates.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I feel more excited to pursue a STEM career after speaking with STEM professionals. I learned fun facts about the timber industry.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event helped me open my mind to other career opportunities. I liked touring the building and learning about everyone’s stories.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event helped me see that it’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do, and it’s fine to switch paths. It reassured me that it’s okay to be unsure of what I want to do in college. I enjoyed learning about different jobs in STEM and hearing employees’ experiences getting to their current positions.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I liked hearing that it’s okay not to know what you want to do and that you can figure it out by trying new things and getting involved. I enjoyed learning about Weyerhaeuser’s sustainability efforts.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was comforting to hear that the panelists didn’t have their futures planned out and to see how much they love their jobs. I thought the game was interesting and taught me about priorities and cause-and-effect.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to hear young women talk about their lives and how they worked their way up. I liked learning about Weyerhaeuser and what they do. I also liked the game.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It showed me a new side of STEM I never thought of. I now feel inspired to explore different STEM fields for my future. I learned that taking risks in your career can help you find what you truly enjoy.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It made me feel more comfortable and familiar with this environment, and I felt encouraged to step out of my comfort zone. I enjoyed meeting and conversing with the volunteers and learning about Weyerhaeuser. The view inside and outside was amazing!” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I enjoyed learning about how people got to where they are now. The panel was great, and seeing the Weyerhaeuser building was fun. I also liked learning about the wood process and playing the simulator game.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me to figure out more about myself and try new things. It made me feel like going into STEM isn’t impossible. My favorite thing I learned today was how Weyerhaeuser’s process works and how the panelists found their careers.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It made me realize the breadth of diverse career options in STEM—it’s not just about ‘scientist’ jobs. I learned how many roles go into running one company, especially while playing the timber company game. Thank you to the volunteers for an engaging presentation!” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“It was good to learn that within the forestry industry, there are so many other jobs. It was also interesting to see how broader roles narrow down into specific career paths.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I thought it was interesting to learn how jobs like these contradict the stigma that STEM roles are isolated, head-down, and math-heavy. I learned about the variety of jobs in STEM that can benefit society and that you don’t have to love math or science to get involved.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event made me realize how many job choices are available and how there’s something for everyone. My favorite part of today was the activity about risk and reward and hearing about the panelists’ journeys.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I loved seeing this workspace and hearing about others’ experiences. I enjoyed the game we played and learned a lot about risk.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event made me realize how vast the job market is and how many types of roles companies offer. It showed me that it’s possible to pursue your passion while contributing to society. I enjoyed the game we played, which taught us about decision-making in large companies.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Jamie Williams
- Tina Hixson
- Darcy Hagedorn
- Carrie Oates
- Lacey Hawk
- Eli Orton
- Stephanie Tanuwijaya
- Amon Johnson
- Brishan Hamilton
- Daniela Cuevas
- Eliza Tovgaev
- Jamie Thornton-Frost
- John Conlan
- Yuzhen Li
- Wyn Pottinger-Levy
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 igniteworldwide.org.