Ignite Worldwide falls under the Adult & Child Matching Programs category: Programs, also known as adult/child mentoring programs, that provide male or female adult companionship, guidance and/or role models for young men or women.
Hi everyone! My name is Diana, and I am a rising senior at Miss Hall’s School. I am originally from Ukraine, but currently, I live and study in Massachusetts.
When I was little, I found out that I loved STEM. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have a female role model – my grandmother. When she was my age, she was growing up in a small village in Soviet Ukraine, but my grandma already had big dreams. She was one of the few women getting a physics degree in her university and one of the few female engineers at her lab. But she never quit. My grandmother’s story was always inspiring to me. I know that without her I would never dare to dream of pursuing a STEM career.
I was lucky to have a female role model; but not all girls do. I believe that every girl must have a person who can motivate her and inspire change, especially in STEM careers where women are underrepresented. With this idea in mind, I founded EN.G.IN (Engineering. Girls. Innovation), an engineering program for middle school girls. This year, I was selected to be an EngineerGirl Ambassador for the National Academy of Engineering, and my participation provided me with the resources to make this program possible.
There are many ways you can help inspire girls* in STEM! Volunteer opportunities include speaking as a Panelist, serving as Facilitator, Tech Host, or Language Translator for virtual events; or capturing the inspiration as an IGNITE Event Recorder!
Each role involves training to help make sure IGNITE Students – and you – have the best experience possible. Please read the event and role descriptions carefully. All Panelists are required to review our Panelist Training Video once per school year and attend a Virtual Panelist Coaching Session before their first panel.
IGNITE Worldwide is the answer to achieving gender equity in STEM. IGNITE works directly with educators to connect girls* with STEM opportunities during the school day. Our award-winning Program offers a variety of interactive events featuring STEM professionals** who represent IGNITE Students.
*We serve girls, young women, nonbinary, transgender, agender, and genderqueer students.
**We encourage women, nonbinary, transgender, agender, and genderqueer volunteers.