AN EDUCATIONAL NON-PROFIT
IGNITE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Mission Statement

To enhance education for better workforce development and to ignite tomorrow’s innovators.

Goals

To incorporate a problem-solving education philosophy into schools through project-based curriculum and teacher training.

Objectives

That project-based learning as developed under our programs will benefit:

Our Students - by developing the skills and desire necessary to become tomorrow's innovators.

Our Workforce - by partnering with industry to help train competent and creative individuals ready to step into the workplace and to create new opportunities.

Our Future - by preparing students of today with the tools and skills needed to tackle the issues of tomorrow.

Program

SystemsGo Aeroscience is IGNITE’s program developed to promote engineering studies through research, to develop work force skills, and encourage students to enter academic and career paths in STEM fields that lead to careers in the engineering industries.

Our method of instruction, developed over twelve years by Brett Williams at Fredericksburg High School, uses problem solving and project-based learning to stimulate skills in design, development, testing, analysis, and innovation.  IGNITE’s training prepares teachers to guide students in developing critical thinking, problem solving, testing, and analysis skills necessary to complete year-long projects.

IGNITE trains high schools to implement the SystemsGo Aeroscience curriculum that has proven to inspire students to pursue engineering careers in the American workforce.

Management:

J. Carson Dickie, President
Brett Williams, SystemsGo Director
Phil Houseal, Director of Communications
Michelle Woods, Programs Coordinator

 

 

Board of Directors:

Dave Campbell
CEO/President of Heartland Enterprises

J. Carson Dickie
CEO/President Dickie Energy Investments

Wayne Harrell
Agent, Farmers Insurance

Andrew Matthes
Instructor, Chemistry and PT1, Fredericksburg High School

Brett Williams
Instructor, PT1, PT2, R&D, Drafting, Fredericksburg High School

Phil Houseal
CEO/President of Full House Productions

Claude Robertson
Senior Program Manager (Retired), Raytheon Systems Co.

Dr. Marc Williamson
Superintendent, Fredericksburg ISD

David Pedregon
CEO/President – Dogologie

David Plesko
Business Consultant, Fortune 500 Companies

H. Albert Napier
Professor of Management – Rice University

SystemsGo Advisory Board Members:

Lee Meyer
Vice President – Marketing, Aerojet

Joan Baker
Technical Assistant to the Shuttle Program Manager, NASA – JSC

David Ladrach
Air Force/NASA Shuttle Manager, Retired [Aerospace Consultant

Terry Abel
Aeronautics Operations, Lockheed Martin

Jeff Cardenas
Wyle Lab

Steve Witkowski
Sr. Market Manager –Space & Defense Group, Moog, Inc.

Hu Davis
President, StarcraftBoosters