Executive Summary

Increasing equity in high-demand, high-wage STEM fields requires early, targeted intervention to combat ingrained stereotypes and cultural/socio-economic disadvantages, and flood the pipeline with diverse talent. For 21 years, IGNITE Worldwide has been closing the gender gap in STEM, addressing the root cause by serving historically marginalized girls and non-binary youth in grades 4-12. IGNITE works directly with Career and Technical Education teachers to provide free programming during the school day, exposing girls to more than 300 STEM careers. The project offers hands-on experience and connects girls with women STEM role models. Sustained support normalizes girls' participation in STEM; ensures that they are aware of opportunities; and provides the social and cultural capital to secure and thrive in a STEM career. Expanding IGNITE to 20 of the country's most diverse regions – home to nearly 30,000 underserved schools – will promote economic mobility, power, and influence for the next generation of women in STEM.

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