Ignite receives $262,512 to develop innovative SystemsGo Aeroscience program
Texas Governor's Office provides funding for third year

For release Nov 11, 2008
Contact: Michelle Woods, 830-997-3567, mwoods@igniteeducation.org

The Texas Governor's Office has announced it will award a Wagner-Peyser Grant in the amount of $262,512 to Ignite, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides curricula and training in project-based education to Texas high schools.

According to Carson Dickie, President of Ignite, Inc., receiving this grant for a third consecutive year validates the group's success at recruiting and supporting high schools that replicate the SystemsGo Aeroscience program. After two years of outreach, Ignite now has established SystemsGo Aeroscience at 26 high schools across the state. Approximately one thousand high school students are designing, building and launching rockets using the project-based curriculum that promotes engineering studies while developing work force, teamwork, and leadership skills.

"This grant will provide approximately 70% of the funding we need for 2009," Dickie said. "According to the Governor’s office, it is rare for a recipient to receive a third year of funding under this grant. I think that speaks well for our program, and to the value it is adding to high school education in Texas.”

Wagner-Peyser grants are federal funds allocated to each State Governor's Office as discretionary grants for workforce training and services. These funds, along with those raised from individuals and organizations, are used by Ignite to develop curricula, and to recruit, train and support teachers. Ignite directors hope to add 15 new schools this year, including for the first time schools outside of Texas.

Fredericksburg (TX) High School Brett Williams developed the SystemsGo Aeroscience concept over 10 years, believing there was a better way to educate and motivate tomorrow's innovators. Drawing on his training in the sciences and using rocketry, he guided students through hands-on research, design, and development.

Student-built rockets hold national records for size, speed, and altitude. The program is certified by The Space Foundation, and has been recognized by NASA, the U.S. Army, Johnson Space Center, and numerous government and corporate partners. Former students now hold positions in NASA, the aerospace industry, universities, and the military.

Ignite hosts a weeklong training retreat for new and returning teachers each summer in Fredericksburg. Students and teachers from participating schools then meet at Meek Ranch in Fredericksburg every April to launch their vehicles. Rockets 09 is set for April 23 - 26, 2009.

Anyone wanting to start a program, to provide support, or to learn more about IGNITE can visit www.igniteeducation.org or call 830-997-3567.

Directors for IGNITE are Dave Campbell, J. Carson Dickie, Wayne Harrell, Andrew Matthes, Brett Williams, Phil Houseal, Claude Robertson, Dr. Marc Williamson, David Pedregon, David Plesko, and H. Albert Napier.

Participating high schools are:
    * Akins, Austin
    * Alamo Heights, San Antonio
    * Booker T. Washington, Houston
    * CE King, Houston
    * Coppell, Coppell (Dallas area)
    * Eastwood Academy, Houston
    * Ed Brune Charter, Leakey
    * Fabens, El Paso
    * Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg
    * Frenship, Lubbock
    * Hamilton, Hamilton
    * Johnson, San Antonio
    * Manor, Manor (Austin area)
    * Marble Falls, Marble Falls
    * Medina Valley, Castroville
    * Midland College, Fort Stockton
    * Ranchview, Irving
    * RL Turner, Carrollton (Dallas area)
    * Robstown, Robstown (Corpus area)
    * Roosevelt, Lubbock
    * San Benito, San Benito
    * Southwest Christian, Fort Worth
    * Spring Woods, Houston
    * The Academy of Irving ISD, Irving
    * Tuloso-Midway, Corpus Christi
    * Wagner, San Antonio

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