On November 5, 2024, 12 students from Renton High School and Hazen High School participated in an inspiring IGNITE Field Trip hosted by MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions (MMFS) at their SoDo office. Organized with support from Educators Debbie Currie and Yaneth Garcia Santos, the event introduced students to STEM career opportunities and provided hands-on activities designed to spark their interest in future possibilities.
The day began with an introduction to MMFS and an overview of the company’s diverse STEM-related roles. Students were encouraged to reflect on their aspirations through a Career Plan Worksheet and later brought those ideas to life by creating Vision Boards. This activity, designed by Fatima Noble, Human Resources Business Partner and Lead Panelist, allowed students to visualize their goals while fostering creativity and self-expression.
The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion led by Fatima Noble and supported by Liz Fong, Operations Integration Manager, and Gina Adams, Procore Administrator. The Panelists shared their unique journeys, challenges, and triumphs in STEM fields, emphasizing the importance of persistence and openness to learning opportunities. Students asked thoughtful questions, such as how long it took the Panelists to develop their skills and how they navigated their career paths.
Gina Adams brought high energy to the event, ensuring that every student felt engaged and included. Her enthusiasm kept the atmosphere lively and fun, making the day even more memorable.
MMFS volunteers, including Mark Mekenas, Reed Powell, Andrew Eichenberger, Alyssa Lewellen, and Kim Larsen, played a vital role in the success of the event. Their dedication, preparation, and positive energy exemplified MMFS’s commitment to community engagement and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.
Students left the event feeling motivated and empowered, equipped with actionable advice and a clearer vision of how they can pursue careers in STEM. This impactful collaboration between MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions and IGNITE continues to open doors for historically marginalized youth, making strides toward gender equity in STEM.
“Seeing and talking to real women in STEM helped me realize that a STEM career is a real possibility for me. My favorite thing I learned today was hearing genuine stories about the ups, downs, and uncertainties of careers. It showed me that I don’t have to know everything yet.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I learned in depth about different careers, how the job market changes, and how to adapt to those changes. My favorite thing I learned today was how different experiences can help shape your future career.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“Since I live with my grandma, I hear a lot of gender-based comments. For example, she believes some of the hobbies I do are for men only. This event made me feel like I can achieve my goals even more now. My favorite thing I learned today was how I can get paid while learning.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“Hearing the different perspectives helped me think about my future with a more open mind and consider all the options I have. I felt so welcomed and had so much fun—the volunteers were amazing. I’m really grateful I got to meet them.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me by giving me a better perspective on jobs introduced through STEM-focused careers. I enjoyed learning about how STEM-focused careers play a crucial role in today’s society.”
12th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
100%
INTERESTED IN STEM
91%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
81%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
81%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“It made me start thinking about what I really want to do, how I want to do it, and what steps to take. I feel like I still want to do something hands-on, but I’m not sure what yet. My favorite part was learning about STEM careers and the different paths I can take.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“This event inspired me by showing me that I don’t need to go to a secondary school to get training for a good-paying job. There are so many different opportunities. My favorite thing I learned was that you can join a union without going to college and all the skills you can learn in a sheet metal union.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
“I’m more hopeful about my future in STEM. I learned how to learn on the job, and I want to thank you all for coming and spending time to talk to us.” – 12th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Fatima Noble
- Liz Fong
- Gina G. Adams
- Mark Mekenas
- Reed Powell
- Andrew Eichenberger
- Alyssa Lewellen
- Kim Larsen
- Debbie Currie
- Yaneth Garcia Santos
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.