Ignited

Ignited Connecting classrooms to careers since 1985: 40 years, 4K teachers, 4M students.

We connect educators with science and technology professionals to tackle tough problems, sparking creativity in the classroom and in the real world. Check out our teacher and industry programs here: http://www.igniteducation.org/programs/

☀️The latest Ignited newsletter is packed with educator opportunities, grants, professional learning, STEM resources, an...
08/19/2026

☀️The latest Ignited newsletter is packed with educator opportunities, grants, professional learning, STEM resources, and summer updates you won't want to miss.👩‍🏫

📩 Read now: https://conta.cc/4gdUMOn

📬 Join our mailing list for future updates: igniteducation.org/listserv

And the winners are in!Each summer, we ask our teachers to show us what Ignited's programs look like through their eyes,...
08/19/2026

And the winners are in!

Each summer, we ask our teachers to show us what Ignited's programs look like through their eyes, and this year's photo contest did not disappoint. We received 75+ submissions capturing everything from exploring watersheds on a pontoon boat to discovering the science of cheesemaking. Thank you to every teacher who shared a piece of their experience with us.

After deliberation, we're thrilled to congratulate this year's photo contest winners!
🏆Fiona Tsang | Science in the City Week
🏆Sarah Oliver | Bioeconomy Week
🏆Sophia Rout | Bioeconomy Week
🏆Ivy Abayabay | East Bay Sustainability Week
🏆Dayla Shimada | Semiconductor Week
🏆Lynette Gilson | Semiconductor Week

A special thank you to our generous donors — Oakland Zoo, Exploratorium, Wi******er Mystery House, Gilroy Gardens, Hiller Aviation Museum, and CuriOdyssey — for providing prizes for this contest!

A heartfelt thank you to the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology at Stanford University for hosting ...
08/06/2026

A heartfelt thank you to the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology at Stanford University for hosting Ignited's 2026 Spark the Future celebration last week!

Teachers, industry partners, and community supporters gathered at the O'Donohue Family Stanford Educational Farm to celebrate an incredible year of impact — 175 teachers connected with industry, gaining insights they'll carry into 127 schools across 65 districts, reaching an estimated 23,100 students this school year.

The energy was high, the conversations were meaningful, and the commitment to our shared mission was inspiring. Explore the photos and see what it means to be Ignited!

As summer winds down, we want to extend a special thank you to the incredible Curriculum Coaches who make our programs s...
07/27/2026

As summer winds down, we want to extend a special thank you to the incredible Curriculum Coaches who make our programs successful!

These seasoned educators bring deep expertise in pedagogy and curriculum design, helping their fellow teachers translate industry experiences into meaningful, standards-aligned learning for students. Coaches also provide essential guidance, coordination, and support that keep our programs running smoothly from start to finish.

We're grateful for this summer's outstanding coaching team:
🌟 Summer Fellowship Program: Debra Dimas and I-Heng McComb
🌟 Experience Weeks: Jenny Chin, Kiruthika Paulvannan, Esme Tovar, Liz Metzler, Penny (Loftesness) Campbell, James Stiltner, and Kerin Coffey

The impact of their support is best reflected in the words of our teachers:

"My coach was incredibly supportive, encouraging, and always willing to share their knowledge and experiences. They made me feel welcome throughout the externship and took the time to explain the work, answer my questions, and help me connect what I observed to my classroom teaching. Their guidance gave me a better understanding of industry careers and inspired me with practical ideas I can use to prepare my students for future employment. I truly appreciated their patience, professionalism, and genuine interest in helping educators succeed."

Over the past five days, 17 educators deepened their understanding of the environmental challenges and innovative soluti...
07/24/2026

Over the past five days, 17 educators deepened their understanding of the environmental challenges and innovative solutions shaping our future!

Through our Sustainable Solutions Week, teachers got hands-on with green jobs, watershed stewardship, sustainable infrastructure, and the circular economy — gaining insights that will connect students to sustainability careers.

Here are some of the highlights:
✅️MONDAY: Pontoon boat tour of San Pablo Reservoir and learning how Sobrante Water Treatment Plant is processing safe, clean water
✅️TUESDAY: Visiting EBMUD's Pipeline Training Academy and Berkeley Center for Smart Infrastructure to learn how next-generation technologies are helping protect critical infrastructure from aging systems, climate change, and natural disasters
✅️WEDNESDAY: Hearing from experts at Marathon Petroleum about renewable fuels and touring the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) to learn about the science and technologies that help generate biofuels and bioproducts
✅️THURSDAY: Touring Vulcan Materials Company's processing plant, exploring career pathways in construction and engineering, and participating in a fun "cookie mining" activity
✅️FRIDAY: Scientific sketching on a tour of Pacheco Marsh and wastewater treatment plant tour with Central San

Thank you to our funders for making this transformative program possible: East Bay Municipal Utility District, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, Delta Diablo, and Vulcan Materials Company.

We can't wait to see how these educators bring new ideas, refreshed lesson plans, and renewed energy back to their classrooms this school year!

Today concludes EMWD Water Week! Over the past five days, 19 teachers learned about the careers and systems that keep wa...
07/24/2026

Today concludes EMWD Water Week! Over the past five days, 19 teachers learned about the careers and systems that keep water flowing for nearly one million people across western Riverside County and northern San Diego County.

A huge thank you to Eastern Municipal Water District for sponsoring this week, opening their facilities, and connecting teachers with the industry professionals who are ensuring access to safe, clean water now and into the future.

Here's a look at what teachers have been up to:
💧MONDAY: Touring the Water Quality Lab and learning about careers in water planning and water operations
💧TUESDAY: Visiting the Desalination Plant and Water Filtration Plant, as well as learning about how water projects are planned and implemented
💧WEDNESDAY: Touring the Temecula Valley Regional Water Reclamation Facility and hearing from experts in operations and engineering
💧THURSDAY: Visiting the Mechanical Services Industrial Shops and learning about safety and how students can prepare for a job at EMWD
💧FRIDAY: Learning about the importance of cybersecurity and geographic information systems (GIS) for water utilities

Throughout the week, teacher also practiced hands-on activities they can bring back to their classrooms and made field trip plans so their students can experience the same places they visited this summer.

We can't wait to see how these educators transform their new knowledge into engaging lessons that inspire students to explore careers in this vital field!

From biotech labs to renewable energy facilities, this week 20 K-12 educators were taken on an immersive journey into th...
07/17/2026

From biotech labs to renewable energy facilities, this week 20 K-12 educators were taken on an immersive journey into the circular bioeconomy — one of the most innovative and impactful industries shaping the future of Stanislaus County.

Through our Bioeconomy Week they learned how technology is helping prevent food waste, how dairy processing helps generate renewable energy, and how agricultural roots are moving to advanced biomanufacturing.

Teachers toured cutting‑edge facilities, had real conversations with industry experts, and collaborated with fellow educators to design lessons that spark curiosity and connect students to good, local career pathways.

Thank you to the incredible partners who opened their doors and shared their expertise with our teachers:
🌱Stanislaus State
🌱Maas Energy Works
🌱Divert
🌱Tracy Renewable Energy
🌱LanzaTech
🌱Modesto Junior College
🌱Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc.
🌱Innovative Genomics Institute at UC Berkeley
🌱U.S. Department of Agriculture
🌱VOLT Institute

We also want to give a special shoutout to Stanislaus Partners In Education, our local partner, for helping us engage such a lovely cohort of Stanislaus County teachers!

Finally, we are deeply grateful to BEAM Circular for generously supporting this program through the Stanislaus County Bioeconomy Workforce Development Fund!

This week, 25 educators stepped inside the world of semiconductors—the technology powering everything from smartphones t...
07/10/2026

This week, 25 educators stepped inside the world of semiconductors—the technology powering everything from smartphones to AI.

Through company tours, expert panels, and hands-on learning experiences, educators gained a deeper understanding of the industry and the people behind the technologies we rely on every day.

They also explored a wide range of pathways into semiconductor careers (including community college and technical training programs), built connections with industry professionals, and collected real-world examples to help students better understand the many opportunities available in STEM.

We're incredibly grateful to the industry partners who opened their doors and shared their expertise with our teachers:
💡 SEMI Foundation
💡 Intel
💡 Samsung Semiconductor
💡 Applied Materials
💡 NextFlex
💡 Advantest
💡 EMD Electronics
💡 Skysense
💡 Analog Devices, Inc.
💡 Pyka

Thank you to our generous funders—including Samsung Semiconductor, the Applied Materials Foundation, and the Krause Center for Innovation—for making this transformative learning experience possible.

And to our incredible cohort of educators: we can't wait to see how these experiences spark curiosity and exploration in your classrooms!

On June 18, we had the opportunity to visit International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) with a group of teachers from our S...
06/30/2026

On June 18, we had the opportunity to visit International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) with a group of teachers from our Summer Fellowship and Experience Week programs!

A global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences, IFF is driving sustainable innovations that power everyday products. We had the privilege of taking an inside look at the development process of enzymes that improve our lives through products like laundry and dishwater detergents, from initial lab discovery to pilot-scale production.

We also heard from an inspiring career panel that highlighted the importance of collaboration and mentorship—key pillars of IFF’s innovative and highly experimental work environment.

Many thanks to the IFF team—including Jeffrey Munos, Jimmy Chan, Kirstin Crotty, Jeff Pucci, and Jared Thomson—for welcoming us and sharing their expertise!

How do water and power shape daily life, neighborhoods, and the future of a city?During our Science in the City Week, 16...
06/26/2026

How do water and power shape daily life, neighborhoods, and the future of a city?

During our Science in the City Week, 16 SFUSD educators spent five days exploring the hidden infrastructure, science, and careers behind San Francisco’s public utilities—using the city itself as a living classroom.

Highlights from the week include:

🚰City Distribution Division - systems for maintaining potable water
🏙️Southeast Community Center - environmental justice
🏞️Twin Peaks Reservoir - watershed walk, ecological bingo, and archaeology
🏝️Treasure Island - wastewater treatment, seismology, and engineering
♻️Exploratorium - green building design
🎵San Francisco Symphony - green rooftop, solar, and clean energy
💧SFPUC - power and solar, filtration activity
🏛️City Hall - career pathways with the City and County of San Francisco - Government
🌊India Basin - climate adaptations

Educators are leaving not only with deeper content knowledge, but also with ready-to-use lesson plans and up to $500 in classroom supplies to bring these real-world connections to life for their students!

We want to extend a special thank you to Nancy Barnes and Carmen Maya Iton for their partnership, dedication, and passion in bringing this week together!

This transformative week was made possible thanks to funding from Stantec, PCL Construction, and HDR, with additional support from SF Water, Power, Sewer (SFPUC) and San Francisco Unified School District's Office of College and Career Readiness.

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5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA
95051

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