Mission: SparkPath creates powerful learning experiences that challenge students to explore interests, discover new perspectives, connect with professionals in the community, and visualize their success beyond the classroom.
Results: SparkPath reaches over 5,000 students and their teachers every year. Through SparkPath, students discover how learning in school links to success in the world beyond by actively engaging them in creative events outside school walls.
Among the many SparkPath activities, students construct simulated cities with engineer mentors, write with published authors, design original inventions, and build connections with other experts and professionals in business, science and the arts.
High student participation and strong support from schools and the community are proof of the value of SparkPath and its programs.
Target demographics: K-12 students enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills beyond their typical classroom experience
Direct beneficiaries per year: Over 6,000 students
Geographic areas served: Minneapolis/St. Paul metro areas of Minnesota
Programs: The Young Authors Conference, Creativity Festivals, Future City, Knowledge Bowl, and STEMLink.
Our students loved their experiences! They wished there was more time and /or could take more classes in a day! Longer day…loved the hands-on thinking and doing! 5th grade teacher
Attending the workshops has helped me make more connections to real STEM careers and concepts/skills we are learning in math class. The energy and passion of the instructors recharged – reinvigorated me to do the same back at school. 5th grade teacher
I enjoyed watching the instructors interact with the students and was impressed with the high level of curriculum/concepts presented. 5th grade teacher
100% of teachers polled said their students indicated that they had an interesting and challenging day of learning. "Students could not stop talking about their experience; they were all so jazzed up." 5th grade teacher.
I felt like a real scientist! 5th grade participant
Math can be used in ways you don’t think about! 5th grade participant
My favorite part was working together with others. Teamwork is key! 5th grade participant
I loved engineering because you built stuff. 5th grade participant
I learned I can achieve awesome things in STEM! 5th grade participant
