Overview
The Panel Facilitator will kick off your IGNITE Panel with background information on gender diversity in STEM and why IGNITE exists.
Next, the Lead Panelist will ask the following questions and answer each one briefly, then ask each Panelist to chime in one at time:
- Let’s start by all introducing ourselves with our name, job title, and company (optional: include your pronouns).
- Now, let’s each share what we do at work day to day. What do you like most about your job?
- The students here today are {{age range for your event}}, so let’s all share a bit about what we were like at that age. What were everyone’s favorite subjects or hobbies? How did you all become interested in your work or STEM in general?
- (Optional, time permitting) What challenges did you face to get to your current position?
- Were there any allies who supported you?
- (Optional, time permitting) Why did you choose to come speak with students today?
As you are sharing your story, it’s important to be honest and vulnerable so students can connect with you on an emotional level and be inspired by your journey—because you are inspiring!
No need to memorize these questions—you will practice them shortly, and you can always reference our Panelist Guide. IGNITE will provide Lead Panelists with a script that includes these questions.
Engage the students in your story by asking relevant questions while you are speaking that students can raise their hands or shout out responses to. The goal is not to test students’ knowledge about STEM, but to create connections between them and you.
Examples:
“Working in STEM allows me to take vacations, shout out where you’d go on vacation!”
“I played soccer all through school. Does anyone here play sports?” Follow up: “What sports do you play?”
“I was born in {{state/country}}. Has anyone been there? Did anyone else move far from home in your childhood?”