February STEAM Highlights!
Students from Redemption Christian Academy joined us on February 9th, followed by Berlin Central School on February 24th at IgniteU NY for an interactive STEAM session, led by CeCe Whalen, which was centered on energy transfer and electrical circuits. Students explored various forms of energy, including electrical, thermal, chemical, and mechanical energy. They discussed how energy plays a role in their everyday lives, from charging their phones to turning on the lights at home.
Students were able to apply their learning by creating working circuits using a science kit known as Snap Circuits My Home, strengthening their understanding of how energy moves through systems to power real world applications. This hands-on kit invited students to design and build their very own homes, featuring 25 engaging projects and more than 60 components to personalize every creation. The experience sparked excitement and creativity as students made design choices that directly shaped the outcome of their powered houses. From adding music and color-changing lights to installing working doorbells, students fully embraced the kit’s possibilities and brought innovation & imagination to life! Students left with a stronger understanding of how energy moves through systems and how circuits power everyday technology!
Coming March 30th!
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This season features conversations with a dynamic lineup of leaders shaping regional and statewide innovation ecosystems, including Shawna Papale of Mohawk Valley EDGE; Dr. Lisette Nieves of the Fund for the City of New York; Ryan Silva of Empire State Development; Nick Viggiani and Eric Ledet from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Office of Strategic Alliances and Translation; John Liddy of CenterState CEO and the INSPYRE Innovation Hub; and Jim Gertner, Yoanna L. Ferrara, Jennifer Flagg, and Shannon Ealy of the NY SMART I-Corridor.
Across the season, listeners will gain insight into how cross-sector collaboration, research commercialization, workforce pipelines, and place-based strategies are fueling economic opportunity throughout New York. Episodes will explore how government, academia, nonprofits, and industry are working together to support small businesses, attract investment, and prepare communities for emerging technologies.
Season 2 of the IgniteU NY Podcast will begin rolling out weekly episodes in March 30, 2026, offering practical insights and forward-looking perspectives for entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, and innovation leaders statewide.
Fund for the City of New York 2026 Innovation Across Silos Conference
The 2026 Innovation Across Silos Conference, hosted by the Fund for the City of New York (FCNY), brought together public sector leaders, nonprofit partners, and private sector innovators to explore collaborative solutions to complex civic challenges. The conference focused on breaking down organizational and sector-based silos to drive more effective, equitable, and sustainable outcomes for communities across New York. Through keynote discussions, interactive panels, and cross-sector networking opportunities, attendees shared best practices, highlighted successful partnerships, and examined emerging approaches to innovation in government and public service delivery.hat is “known.” She left the students with the message that they are not defined by their circumstances, they are not limited by outdated thinking, and that their future is up to them to shape.
This month IgniteU NY and Empire APEX Accelerator, both powered by New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC), attended the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) Economic Development Conference.
We were proud to host a panel discussion on the increasingly important topic of cross-regional collaboration and coalition-building to drive economic growth across New York State. Moderated by Shae Brown, the panel featured expert counselors Manna Doyle and Finn Kreidler, alongside our esteemed colleagues from Empire State Development: Deputy Director Derek Crossman, AICP and Executive Advisor Jenny Low. The conversation highlighted the power of strategic partnerships and the impact we can make when regions work together toward shared goals.
Following the panel discussion, we connected with attendees at our booth, continuing the conversation with leaders in workforce and economic development across the state.
If you missed this year’s conference, be sure to keep your eyes out for next year’s event. It’s one you won’t want to miss!
This month IgniteU participated in a roundtable discussion at SUNY Polytechnic Institute with State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr., elected officials, industry partners, faculty, and students to discuss workforce development and expanding career pathways for students across New York State.
The event brought together Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, Assemblyman Brian Miller, Senator Joseph Griffo, and other regional leaders to meet with students, tour SUNY Poly’s facilities—including the NYSTEC Business Center of Excellence—and officially launch the Office of Workforce Development at SUNY Poly. The new office is designed to strengthen partnerships between higher education and employers while creating clearer pathways to upward mobility for students.
Victoria Palasieski, IgniteU program manager, joined Chancellor King and fellow panelists to share how IgniteU supports workforce development through intentional partnership building. During the discussion, Victoria highlighted a recent example of the IgniteU Fellowship pairing SUNY Poly students with a Rome-based company. Through the fellowship experience, the company recognized the value of engaging students in meaningful, project-based work and chose to continue the partnership into the following semester. In addition, the company expanded its commitment by developing a separate internship opportunity with SUNY Poly for a different scope of work.
This example illustrates how IgniteU not only provides students with hands-on, career-connected learning experiences, but also serves as a catalyst for sustainable partnerships between higher education and industry. By demonstrating the value students bring to organizations, the program helps build long-term collaborations that strengthen local economies and create expanded opportunities for students.
For more information about the event, read SUNY’s official press release
City & State Higher Education Summit
IgniteU NY, powered by NYSTEC, and members of NYSTEC’s Business Development & Technology Procurement and Implementation Services team attended City & State’s NY Higher Education Summit, joining leaders across higher education, workforce development, and government to discuss how to better support student success and align education with workforce needs. Industry executives, government leaders, university leadership, and other key stakeholders from essential sectors gathered to address current challenges and opportunities shaping the future of New York’s higher education programs and policies. Panelists explored critical topics including AI governance, mental health services, financial barriers, and the evolving role of faculty.
Thank you City & State New York for putting together a great event!
Learn more about the NY Higher Education Summit