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Publications
Design Thinking-Based STEM Learning: Preliminary Results on Achieving Scale and Sustainability Through the IGNITE Model
Mary Elizabeth Dotson, Valentina Alvarez, Maria Tackett, Gabriela Asturias Isabela Leon and Nirmala Ramanujam
Each Ignite curriculum follows a basic formula: (1) students learn a specific set of engineering skills, (2) students work in teams to use the human-centered design process, and (3) they develop a solution to a (SDG) using the engineering skills they learned.
Community-Centered Design Thinking as a Scalable STEM Learning Intervention
Kimberly Breen, Mary Elizabeth Dotson, Megan C. Madonna, Gabriela Asturias, Daniela Mariucci Pena, Hope Springate, Valentina Alvarez, and Nirmala Ramanujam
Ignite has been scaled to reach over 2,000 students across Guatemala and results indicate an increase in student's and trainer's attitudes towards STEM fields.
Using Human-Centered Design to Connect Engineering Concepts to Sustainable Development Goals
By integrating human-centered design and the SDGs into engineering curricula and targeting communities that work with women and girls, we believe the Ignite program can impact three of the SDGs – renewable energy, quality education, and gender equality
Articles
Ignite's 2023 Duke Day Recap
Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University
On Sunday, April 2nd, Duke Global Women’s Health Technologies hosted its 2nd annual Ignite Duke Day. Students from Ignite's 2022-2023 programs presented their work from the year.
Ignite Makers Win at International Science and Engineering Fair
Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University
Ignite's Maker Team of Josie and Mason focusing on water scarcity traveled to Atlanta to present their design to reuse greywater to support hydroponic agriculture.
Ignite's 2022 Duke Day Recap
Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University
On Sunday, April 10th, Duke Global Women’s Health Technologies hosted its inaugural Ignite Duke Day. Learners and Makers from Ignite's 2021-2022 programs joined Duke and Musuem staff on Duke's engineering campus to celebrate the success of our students from the previous year!
Ignite From Spark to Flame
Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University
As Ignite grew, both globally and in the local Durham area, Kimberly Breen and Dr. Megan Madonna wanted to focus on local needs, while still connecting all of their work and outreach to generating a global impact.
Partner Highlight: El Seminario Pandémico - Hosted by the Museum of Life and Science and Duke IGNITE

Libby Dotson, Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University and Max Cawley, Museum of Life and Science
Through a mutually-beneficial and synergistic new partnership forged through common goals, the Museum of Life and Science partnered with Duke Global Health Initiative, and the IGNITE-learning program at Duke University to provide publics in our communities with necessary multi-disciplinary scientific knowledge, guidance, and advice about the pandemic
Inspiring Students to be Confident Problem Solvers: Ignite 2020 Recap
Center for Global Women's Health Technologies, Duke University
In order to adapt to the 2020 public health crisis, COVID-19, Ignite shifted to a virtual platform. This shift presents new opportunities for Ignite research. Digital literacy has become a necessity under the circumstances. Therefore, Ignite’s virtual platform opens exploration to the digital and physical spaces that can contribute to powerful learning experiences. The flexibility of implementation allows research to compare strategies and bolster our understanding of the key characteristics that contribute to impactful engineering experiences.