IGNITE Worldwide Receives Top Award from the National Science Foundation

June 2018 IGNITE Worldwide was honored as a recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) by the The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). This award is given to individuals and organizations who demonstrate excellence in, “teaching or mentoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).” It is considered one of the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-6 and 7-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics,..

NAPE Award

IGNITE Worldwide’s Founder Receives NAPE Unsung Hero Award

IGNITE Worldwide’s Founder was selected as the winner of the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE)’s 2014 Unsung Hero Award. This achievement is attributed to her ongoing dedication through IGNITE Worldwide to promoting access, equity and diversity in education and workforce development.

ACTE Article

IGNITE Worldwide Featured in National Journal for Educators

As an award winning, best practice program, IGNITE Worldwide was featured in the journal of the Association for Career and Technical Education. The article, titled “Igniting Women’s Passion for Careers in STEM”, focuses on how the IGNITE program helps schools achieve gender equality in technical classes.

social impact award

IGNITE Worldwide’s Founder Wins Anita Borg Social Impact Award

The Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology honored IGNITE Worldwide’s Founder as the winner of their 2012 Social Impact Award. The award was given on behalf of Rodgveller’s work at IGNITE Worldwide, providing an affordable, community-based, systemic approach to STEM education and outreach for young women.

WeNews Award

IGNITE’s Founder Named Top Leader for Gender Equity

IGNITE Worldwide’s Founder, Cathi Rodgveller, was honored by Women’s eNews as one of the top leaders committed to improving the lives of women and girls in the U.S. and internationally. She was also featured as one of their “Seven Who Stretch the Possible” leaders, among other trail blazers for gender equity such as Lilly Ledbetter.

Senator Cantwell IGNITE ACt

Senator Cantwell Introduces the “21st Century IGNITE STEM Act”

In full support of IGNITE Worldwide’s mission, Senator Cantwell introduced a Bill titled the “21st Century IGNITE STEM Act”. The bill calls for the expansion of IGNITE nationwide and the allocation of funding to encourage girls and underrepresented minorities to pursue studies and careers in STEM fields.

Best Practice Award 2007

IGNITE Worldwide Named State and National Best Practice Program

IGNITE Worldwide was awarded the highest recognition as a state and national best practice program by the Department of Education. The award was received by representatives of IGNITE Worldwide at a U.S. Congress briefing in Capitol Hill with the support of Senator Maria Cantwell and Senator Patty Murray.

World affairs council

IGNITE Chosen as International Program for Girls in STEM

In October of 2006, IGNITE was chosen by the World Affairs Council and State Department to teach international leaders how to educate girls about technical careers in their countries. Since this time, IGNITE has met with hundreds of leaders from around the world and helped them establish the program in their communities.

The IGNITE Toolkit

The IGNITE Toolkit is Published

Cathi Rodgveller, M.S. Ed, Founder and CEO of IGNITE Worldwide published the IGNITE Toolkit in 2007 with the purpose of providing the resources, and information necessary to establishing a successful IGNITE Chapter at participating schools.

IGNITE News Features

IGNITE Recognized by Local News Outlets

The success of IGNITE was the topic of many local news outlets, including The Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, KOMO News, and Microsoft News. The stories highlighted the program’s accomplishments to date as well as the need for the program to expand to reach more schools and grade levels. 

Cisco Award

IGNITE Wins National Gender Equity Award from Cisco

IGNITE quickly rose to be the nation’s best program for paving the path of gender equity in vocational training programs at schools. Cisco, one of IGNITE’s earliest industry partners, recognized IGNITE for increasing female enrollment in local Cisco Networking Academies from under 17% to up to 80%. For this achievement, IGNITE received the national Gender Equity Award along with $25k to support the program.

SPS Newsletter Graphic

IGNITE Featured in Seattle Public Schools Newsletter

Soon after launching IGNITE, Seattle Public Schools highlighted the program’s unprecedented impact in improving gender equity in technical education. In just 10 months, IGNITE had increased female enrollment to 50% in vocational training programs and technical classes.

Original IGNITE Logo

IGNITE is Started in Seattle Public Schools

In 1998, a federal grant was issued to ensure young women knew about high wage, high demand career choices. Cathi Rodgveller saw the immense potential of this funding and quickly created a network of enthusiastic women in tech volunteers. The women visited schools and spoke with the girls about technical careers, and the girls started taking field trips to the volunteers’ workplaces! The girls’ excitement translated into increased female enrollment in technical classes, and that’s when Cathi knew she had something special.

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