
Ignite's Learner Program
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Ignite is a free, 8-week hybrid program for Durham-area middle school students. Middle school students will meet, either virtually via Zoom or in person at the Museum of Life and Science (MLS) or Duke, with Duke University undergraduate trainers on Sundays from January to April. Students will prototype solutions toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals of Clean Energy, Clean Water, or Good Health. Click here to read more about the Light, Water, and Health Teams.
This program begins with our Virtual Launch Event where students will learn about these goals; how they impact our community in NC; and how they can use human-centered design for engineering to help solve real-world issues.
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The program ends with "Duke Day" a Science Fair-style Conference on Duke University's campus where learners will display their innovations to their families, other students, guests, and a panel of professionals, including Museum and Duke faculty and staff. Students and guests will receive a walking tour of Duke's campus to end the event.
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The full schedule for our Spring 2024 program is shown below. Registration begins Fall 2023.



Week | Date | Location | Theme | Light Team | Water Team | Health Team |
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1 | January 21, 2024 | Zoom | Kick Off | 11:00-12:00 | 11:00-12:00 | 11:00-12:00 |
2 | Janurary 28, 2024 | Zoom | Needs Finding | 10:00-11:00 | 11:00-12:00 | 12:00-1:00 |
3 | February 4, 2024 | MLS | Skills Building | 10:00-12:00 | 11:00-1:00 | 12:00-2:00 |
4 | February 11, 2024 | Zoom | Brainstorming | 10:00-11:00 | 11:00-12:00 | 12:00-1:00 |
5 | February 18, 2024 | MLS | Building | 10:00-12:00 | 11:00-1:00 | 12:00-2:00 |
6 | February 25, 2024 | Zoom | Iterate | 10:00-11:00 | 11:00-12:00 | 12:00-1:00 |
7 | March 3, 2024 | MLS | Finalize | 10:00-12:00 | 11:00-1:00 | 12:00-2:00 |
8 | March 17, 2024 | Duke | Present | 10:00-3:00 | 10:00-3:00 | 10:00-3:00 |