At IGNITE Pathways, our mission has always been rooted in a simple belief: every student, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to discover their potential in STEM. Today, we’re honored to share that Ava Community Energy, a leader in sustainable energy and community empowerment, has joined us as a sponsor. Their partnership is more than a gesture of support; it’s a shared commitment to lighting pathways for future innovators.
This sponsorship enables us to expand our programs, amplify our outreach, and empower even more students to explore the world of robotics, engineering, and technology. With Ava’s support, we’ll be able to nurture budding robotics teams across the East Bay, and create transformative experiences for students locally and globally.
Since our founding, we have focused on connecting students with the tools and guidance they need to explore STEM. At local schools and community events, we participate in various Science and Community Fairs to introduce families to robotics and STEM. These events have helped hundreds of students join or start teams in programs like FTC and FLL.
Through free coding camps, CAD webinars, and open-source resources, we teach practical skills while lowering barriers to entry. Our blogs and tutorials, written by students for students, provide step-by-step guides for building robots, and applying for competitions. Mentorship remains central to our approach, whether helping a new team troubleshoot their first robot or advising parents on fostering STEM curiosity at home.
How Ava Community Energy Helps Us Do More
Ava’s sponsorship allows us to scale these efforts while staying true to our student-led roots. With their support, we will:
Reach More Communities: We will bring Science Fairs and hands-on workshops to neighborhoods in the East Bay that have limited access to STEM resources. By partnering with local libraries and community centers, we aim to engage students who might otherwise miss these opportunities.
Deepen Mentorship: Funds will help train peer mentors and provide materials for new FTC and FLL teams. We will also expand virtual office hours to assist students globally, ensuring guidance is available regardless of location.
Strengthen Online Resources: We will grow our library of free tutorials, host more multilingual webinars, and pilot global STEM challenges, like coding competitions, to connect learners worldwide.
Collaborate for Greater Impact: By working with other student-led organizations and educators, we can share knowledge and avoid duplicating efforts. Ava’s backing enables us to focus on what we do best: empowering peers through relatable, student-driven support.
Why This Partnership Matters
As students ourselves, we understand the challenges young learners face—limited funding, lack of role models, and uncertainty about where to start. Ava Community Energy’s investment validates the importance of peer-to-peer mentorship and the value of student-led initiatives. Their commitment to community aligns with our belief that progress happens when we work together to lift others up.
Our Shared Goals
With Ava’s partnership, we aim to engage over 1,500 students and families locally in the next year while reaching 25,000 globally through online programs. These numbers represent more than metrics; they represent potential moments of discovery, a student mastering their first line of code, a team celebrating their first robot, or a parent seeing their child’s confidence grow.
Thank you Ava Community Energy for trusting us. Your support amplifies the voices of young people and proves that investing in students today builds a stronger tomorrow.
Photos from our outreach initiatives!
On behalf of IGNITE™ Pathways, we would once again like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Ava Community Energy, for greatly supporting us in our mission and project. We are proud to have them as part of our journey, and are excited to see what new possibilities are going to open from this partnership.
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