IGNITE Washington Clock Hours Course

STEM Pathways for Girls and Gender-Diverse Students:
Implementing the IGNITE Program

Clock Hours: 3-7

Instructors: IGNITE Worldwide Staff or Volunteer Trainers

Format: Virtual Asynchronous

Course Description

This professional development course introduces or reintroduces educators to the IGNITE Program, a proven model that engages girls and gender-diverse students in STEM through role models, hands-on learning, and real-world exposure. Participants will explore equity gaps in STEM, learn inclusive strategies for engagement, and create an action plan to integrate IGNITE events and opportunities into their classroom or CTE program.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify barriers that limit girls’ and gender-diverse students’ participation in STEM and understand how these barriers manifest in educational settings.
Apply inclusive practices to create a welcoming STEM learning environment.
Develop an action plan to implement or enhance IGNITE programming within their school or district.

Alignment to Educator Standards

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

Teachers are committed to students and their learning — Recognize and address equity gaps that affect underrepresented students in STEM.
Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students — Use hands-on, real-world examples to connect STEM concepts to student interests.
Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from experience — Reflect on instructional practices and develop a plan for equity-focused implementation.
Teachers are members of learning communities — Collaborate with peers and IGNITE partners to bring authentic STEM experiences to students.

CTE Teacher Standards (WAC 181-77A-165)

Work effectively with students of diverse backgrounds — Learn inclusive, gender-affirming practices for classroom and event settings.
Design and deliver programs that develop academic and career skills — Integrate IGNITE Program Events to connect learning with STEM career pathways.
Develop and maintain relationships with business, industry, and community — Leverage IGNITE’s partnerships for authentic, career-connected learning opportunities.
Manage and evaluate program effectiveness — Use feedback and reflection tools to assess student impact and refine implementation.