On December 5, 2024, students from Skyline High School and Summerville Union High School had the extraordinary opportunity to visit Astranis, a company at the forefront of small satellite technology. Welcomed by Greeters Atarah Richmond-Green and Haley Vaughn, the students were supported by Educators Jamee Dahl and Ayo Akatugba throughout this unforgettable experience.
The day began with an in-depth tour of the Astranis facility, where students explored every stage of the satellite production process, from initial design to final manufacturing. They observed employees at work and gained firsthand insights into the technical precision and innovation behind satellite development. A standout moment of the visit was a talk from the founding CEO of Astranis, who shared his inspiring journey from tinkering with Legos in his garage to leading a company pushing the boundaries of space technology.
A dynamic Q&A panel discussion with Astranis employees provided students with valuable insights into educational paths, career journeys, and professional advice. The Panelists discussed their high school classes, college experiences, and personal challenges in STEM careers, while emphasizing that one does not need to be an engineer to find a place at Astranis. They encouraged students to focus on showcasing their unique strengths, building meaningful relationships, and approaching challenges with resilience and confidence. The message that the college someone attends is less important than earning a degree and creating the right opportunities resonated strongly with the students.
Educators highlighted the profound impact of the experience. One teacher from Summerville Union High School shared how her students were thrilled by the hands-on learning and real-world insights, calling it the best field trip they had ever attended. Students left energized and inspired, many expressing a newfound desire to pursue careers in STEM and even envisioning themselves working at Astranis one day.
“Today inspired me by giving me more insight into what STEM is. I also got to see what it looks like hands-on. My favorite thing I learned was that it’s okay to not know if you want to attend college.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It made me want to strive harder for my goals, seeing how underrepresented women are in high-paying jobs. My favorite thing I learned was that you don’t have to get a certain degree for the positions.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I felt like the people I met today really saw me and helped me feel more comfortable with my career choices. My favorite thing I learned today was that people here want to help and learn.”
10th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me to become more interested in STEM and what it’s about. I hope to learn more about future careers in it and all the benefits that come from it. My favorite thing I learned was the process of building satellites. I also learned from all of the panelists and liked the advice they gave us.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
91%
INTERESTED IN STEM
84%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
77%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
82%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“Today’s event inspired me to be open to all job careers. My favorite thing I learned today is the tracking of the satellite.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“The employees at Astranis made me feel extremely welcome. I learned a lot about satellites as well as STEM careers in general. They gave me a new perspective on possibilities for my future. I didn’t know much about satellites at all, and I really enjoyed learning about how they are built and tested. It was also really interesting to hear about all the volunteers’ backgrounds and stories.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me by seeing all the different types of jobs that come together to work in this field—the diversity in general. My favorite thing I learned was seeing all the small parts and mechanics. I thank the volunteers.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“Knowing I’ll be accepted and that I can explore so many new STEM options and career paths was inspiring. I learned that satellites are more interesting than I thought—I might work with them now!” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“Seeing everything made me feel connected. I also saw that you don’t have to be in STEM to work here. I loved learning how the pieces of a machine were made.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“The people we interacted with were welcoming and inspiring, and the places in the facility that we toured were interesting. I learned about the manufacturing and testing of satellites and the many different jobs associated with it. Thank you to all the volunteers and our tour guide, Tara.” – 10th Grade IGNITE Student
“It felt very ‘family’-oriented in the sense that it was a really nice atmosphere. I loved the promotion of tech and growth. My favorite thing was the machines that carved the pieces used on the satellite—super cool tech! Loved it!” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Atarah Richmond-Green
- Haley Vaughn
- Jamee Dahl
- Ayo Akatugba
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.