On November 15, 2024, 12 students from grades 9–12 at Muckleshoot Tribal School attended an empowering IGNITE Panel, organized with the help of Educator Olivia Bentley. The event highlighted the importance of women in STEM and provided students with valuable insights into navigating their educational and professional journeys.
The panel was led by Laura Bartenhagen, Director of Engineering at ESM Consulting Engineers, LLC, and featured an inspiring group of Panelists: Pat Velasquez, Software Developer at Seattle Children’s Hospital; Fawn Sanchez, Project Manager at Tribal Tech LLC; Kathy Brusted, Director at Microsoft; and Veronica Rozendaal, Senior Product Manager of Business Intelligence at Sound Physicians.
Students were eager to engage with the Panelists, asking thoughtful questions such as how to keep up with changes in technology, what resources are available for scholarships and financial aid for university, what the hardest part of their job is, and how they handle situations where they’re treated differently because of their gender or heritage.
The Panelists offered relatable advice, sharing stories of perseverance through challenges and emphasizing that STEM is accessible to everyone, regardless of their strengths in specific areas like math. They encouraged students to keep their options open, explore different STEM roles, and not be deterred by intimidation or stereotypes. Discussions also addressed the realities of being underrepresented in STEM fields, with Panelists offering strategies for navigating situations where they were the only woman in the room. They highlighted the importance of resilience and the growing need for diverse voices in STEM careers.
Students particularly appreciated the Panelists’ honesty about their journeys and the practical advice provided. Small incentives, such as gifts, were used to encourage engagement, and students were equipped with pre-prepared questions to foster meaningful dialogue. This IGNITE Panel not only inspired students to consider STEM careers but also left a lasting impact by providing resources, support, and a sense of community.
“Knowing there are other women in the field makes it less intimidating. All these women have gained confidence, and I want to be like that.”
9th Grade IGNITE Student
“After hearing about these women’s experiences, I feel more hopeful about my future. I liked learning about how they dealt with challenges they faced along the way.”
10th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to try new things and be more outgoing. It also inspired me to stand up for myself. My favorite part was trying new things and hearing about how the volunteers experienced different challenges.”
10th Grade IGNITE Student
“This was super inspirational because I’ve never really known much about this field. I never realized that so few women are in engineering. My favorite thing was seeing how many females worked in the industry.”
9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I feel inspired to be more confident about myself.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
73%
INTERESTED IN STEM
75%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
64%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
73%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“The thought of designing things specifically for women instead of men sounds interesting. My favorite thing I learned today was knowing I could possibly work from home. The thought of that sounds fun and easier.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“I feel empowered to pursue my career as a lawyer. I want my future knowledge to be respected and valued. The most notable (though not necessarily my favorite) thing I learned today was the statistics and percentages shared.” – 9th Grade IGNITE Student
“Seeing women comfortable in their STEM job positions was inspiring. A STEM job could even be a work-from-home job.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Laura Bartenhagen
- Pat Velasquez
- Fawn Sanchez
- Kathy Brusted
- Veronica Rozendaal
- Olivia Bentley
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.