On February 26, 2026, students from Skyline High School participated in an IGNITE Field Trip at Dolby focused on the behind-the-scenes opportunities in engineering and research that contribute to creating immersive entertainment experiences. This interactive event brought together students and industry Panelists for an engaging, audio-visual learning experience designed to connect classroom concepts to real-world STEM careers in the entertainment and technology industries.
Students took part in hands-on audio and visual activities that explored developing premium entertainment experiences from the perspective of the consumer, creator, engineer, and scientist. Through immersive lab demos and guided discussion, they learned about Dolby’s state-of-the-art cinema experience, audio mixing tools for creatives, color science, and physiological research. The event sparked curiosity, with students asking Panelists what they enjoy most about their jobs and which high school classes helped build the foundation for their careers. Panelists encouraged students to stay open-minded, speak up when they need support, and develop strong collaboration and communication skills. The educator shared that the experience was both relevant and educational, noting that learning about how the brain and body respond to sound made the content especially meaningful. The students asked thoughtful questions, and volunteers were all so happy and energized after the visit.
The event left students with a deeper appreciation for the science behind everyday experiences—and a clearer sense of how those interests could translate into future career paths.
“Today’s event inspired me to take up an interest in STEM. And showed me how the arts and STEM can mix.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It definitely opened up my perspective on the different types of STEM jobs available. It also was very encouraging to see that many women in STEM positions.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I got more confidence in going into STEM. I also got more perspective on the variety of jobs and sides of Dolby and other tech companies. I enjoyed learning about the different ways audio worked, especially during the audio lab where we got to see how it moves between speakers.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned today would be all the job roles. Most of these roles I didn’t even knew they existed.”
11th Grade IGNITE Student
STUDENTS SURVEYED FOLLOWING PARTICIPATION IN THIS EVENT REPORTED...
100%
INTERESTED IN STEM
89%
KNOW MORE ABOUT STEM CAREERS & THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN STEM
82%
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT
IN PURSUING STEM
93%
GAINED PERSPECTIVE & FEEL MORE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FUTURE
Additional Student Feedback:
“I learned about audio and visuals, which are two things I’m extremely interested in.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I loved watching the videos and listening to audio as well as learning the mechanics behind it.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned today is how sound works with speakers. How waves travel from speaker to speaker.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“Seeing how dedicated everyone was made me feel very happy. I loved hearing how passionate they were about what they do. But it also felt refreshing how calm the environment felt.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“It inspired me to explore more fields that are out there. Typically, when one thinks of STEM, my thoughts restrict to comp sci or medical fields, but there is so much more out there.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing I learned was how the music production room works. It was interesting to hear how sound moves through the room, and it was a really cool experience!” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“I am really interested in the various careers within Dolby. I think that it is really interesting how many opportunities and specialties there are for any topic. I really enjoyed learning about the Dolby cinema and how the speakers work with the design of the room to enhance the sound. I liked experiencing the different forms of media like movie scenes and music.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
“My favorite thing that I learned today was probably about the was Dolby give people the resources to research and create different innovations that can cater to a more diverse range of people.” – 11th Grade IGNITE Student
Thank you to our IGNITE Volunteers and Educators:
- Kara Petros
- Maggie Tobin
- John Loose
- Elizabeth Dovale
- Audrey Howard
- Anita Stokes
- Karen Stackpole
- Wei Shi
- Rhonda Wilson
- Katerina Blinova
- 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.