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Have you ever sat through a presentation that felt like it lasted a century? The Ignite movement seeks to end boring presentations forever, and in Charlotte Prep’s leadership class, 8th graders are learning to craft Ignite-inspired presentations of their own.

Started in Seattle in 2006, the Ignite movement has a simple mission: "Everyone speaks." It was developed to prove that public speaking can be high-energy, community-oriented, and—most importantly—not boring!

In a standard Ignite talk (the kind given by professionals and college students), the rules are strict: 20 slides, 15 seconds per slide, for a total of five minutes. The slides advance automatically, forcing the speaker to keep up with their own presentation. 

To set our students up for success, I have adapted the format into what we call the Prep 5x30: five slides displayed for 30 seconds each. By giving students 30 seconds per slide, we provide a "Goldilocks" approach—fast enough to keep the energy high, but long enough for a student to recover if they lose their place.

It All Starts with Passion

Instead of a standard research project, students are given full creative control. They chose topics they are genuinely passionate about or something they’ve always wanted to know more about. This year, student presentations ranged from how to invest in the stock market to how to make lasting memories, from lucid dreams to black holes. By starting with a subject they love, the focus shifts from "remembering facts" to "sharing," which gets to the heart of effective communication.

Before any slides are created, students spend hours focusing deeply on their chosen topics. This isn't just "googling facts"; it is about becoming experts in something they are passionate about. This way, they develop a level of comfort that goes far beyond a script.

One of the most important lessons we emphasize is that these presentations are not meant to be memorized. Memorization often leads to a "robotic" delivery and the stress of remembering every word. Instead, we aim for a conversational style.

I consistently remind the students that only they will know if they forgot something. And because they become so familiar with their information, they are encouraged to simply "talk" to their audience. If the slide changes and they aren’t finished, they are empowered to pivot and keep the conversation moving, developing resilience and "on-your-feet" thinking.

Public speaking is one of the most vital skills for a leader. By mastering the Ignite format, our 8th graders are learning how to be concise, engaging, and brave. They aren't just giving a presentation; they are finding their unique voices.

Check Out Photos of this Year's Presentations

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