On January 12th, twelve students at two public primary schools from Kałuszyn and Bukowina Sycowska in Poland participated in an exciting IGNITE Event. The event featured Katarzyna Kluszczyńska, a medical biotechnology expert who shared her inspiring journey and insights into the field.
The students had the privilege of meeting Kluszczyńska, who specializes in studying the role of exosomes in drug resistance and currently works in a laboratory focused on finding a cure for cancer. Kluszczyńska captivated the students with her story, recounting her journey from a shy schoolgirl to a successful scientist. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, learning from failures, and the magic of small steps in achieving one’s goals.
Kluszczyńska shared personal anecdotes about her school years, her passion for logical subjects like math and biology, and how her mother encouraged her to learn languages. This led her to study at a humanistic gymnasium, where she mastered English. Her career took a significant leap during an internship in Chicago, where she honed her cooperation and communication skills, crucial in the scientific community. She pursued a PhD at the Medical Academy in Łódź, reinforcing the importance of continual learning and experience.
Kluszczyńska’s advice to the students was both practical and empowering. She urged them to believe in themselves, follow their interests, embrace changes, and view failures as learning opportunities. Her key messages included the non-existence of “impossible,” the power of planning, and the value of knowing oneself. The students were captivated by her story and left feeling inspired and motivated.
After the insightful presentation, Kluszczyńska led an engaging workshop where the students learned to prepare a laboratory protocol through a fun and relatable activity: making a Nutella sandwich. This hands-on exercise broke down the steps into equipment, ingredients, and step-by-step activities, making complex scientific processes accessible and enjoyable for the participants.
Thank you to Katarzyna Kluszczyńska for sharing her story and knowledge, making the event a memorable experience. Special thanks to Educators Agnieszka Krasicka and Krystyna Raczyńska-Wasiluk for coordinating and encouraging the students, and a heartfelt thanks to Cathi Rodgveller for her constant support.
After attending this event:
100%
of students are interested in STEM
89%
of students know more about STEM career choices and the benefits of working in a STEM field
75%
of students feel more confident in pursuing STEM
89%
of students gained perspective and feel more hopeful about the future
Here’s what the students thought of the event:
“The meeting inspired me to develop my technology skills. It was inspiring meeting such a brave woman.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me to pursue my goals and not give up. I would also like to visit the United States.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s meeting inspired me to pursue my dreams. I appreciate that the volunteer was very honest.” – 6th Grade IGNITE Student
“Today’s event inspired me to pursue my goals. Thank you for telling such an interesting story about your life.” – 5th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to be patient and persistent about achieving my goals. I admire her courage.” – 7th Grade IGNITE Student
About IGNITE Program Events:
Virtual or In-Person IGNITE Program Events empower women in STEM careers to connect directly with students by sharing their academic and professional journeys. IGNITE Students are inspired by hearing stories they can relate to, and Q&A discussions help break down stereotypes that hold them back from engaging in STEM classes and careers.
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.