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SparkBytes | May 2026

  • SparkNC
  • 1 day ago
  • 4 min read



Mooresville Graded School District becomes our 29th SparkNC District


We’re excited to welcome Mooresville Graded School District to the SparkNC network. This partnership will provide Mooresville Graded students with hands-on, high-tech learning experiences and new opportunities to explore careers in tech. With SparkNC, Mooresville Graded School District is paving the way for students to develop future-ready skills and thrive in an ever-evolving world.


Chatham SparkLab Is On Fire with Innovation


In her very first year as a SparkLab Leader, Nicole Stevenson has created a learning environment full of energy, creativity, and hands-on innovation at the Chatham SparkLab.

From tackling engineering challenges to exploring emerging technology, students in Nicole’s lab have engaged in a wide range of real-world topics that bring learning to life. Throughout the year, students participated in Engineering Tomorrow labs focused on renewable energy, experimented with balloon rockets, and explored concepts behind electric cars. They also gained hands-on exposure to cutting-edge technologies through Betabox experiences featuring self-driving cars and drones.


Students worked through multiple SparkNC learning experiences, diving into topics like AI ethics, simple circuits, and coding. Nicole continuously creates opportunities for students to problem-solve, collaborate, and think critically while making learning exciting and engaging.


One of the biggest highlights of the year was Chatham SparkLab’s incredible Demo Day. The event showcased the creativity, confidence, and growth of students as they presented projects and shared what they had learned throughout the year. The space was filled with excitement as learners demonstrated their work and explained the thinking behind their projects. Demo Day reflected not only the skills students developed, but also the culture of curiosity and creativity Nicole has built inside her SparkLab.


Nicole’s passion and leadership have made a tremendous impact during her first year as a SparkLab Leader. She is helping students build confidence and discover exciting possibilities in innovation and emerging tech.





Hyde and Wayne County SparkNC Students Explore Innovation on Dell Manufacturing Tour


Students from the Hyde SparkLab and Wayne SparkLab recently had the opportunity to visit Dell Technologies for an immersive behind-the-scenes manufacturing tour that brought modern technology production to life.


During the visit, students saw skilled technicians and collaborative robots (co-bots) working side by side to assemble Dell’s cutting-edge products. Tour guides walked students through each stage of the manufacturing process—from component selection and precision assembly to final testing—offering a clear view of how complex technology products are built at scale.


A major focus of the experience was sustainability. Students learned about Dell’s commitment to creating a more circular economy, including how the company incorporates recycled materials into its products and operates recycling programs designed to reduce environmental impact.


In addition to touring the facility, students interacted directly with Dell professionals, including engineers and manufacturing experts. Students gained insights into real-world tech careers, the skills needed to succeed in the industry, and how ideas move from concept to production, connecting classroom learning to real-world industry practices.



SparkLab Student Earns Top Finishes at NCGIES Minecraft Competitions


From May 15–17, students and educators from across North Carolina gathered at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for the North Carolina Games in Education Summit (NCGIES), a statewide conference that brought together educators, industry partners, SparkLab leaders, and students from across the state and nation to explore innovative ways technology and gaming can support learning.


One of the highlights of the weekend was Spark Scholar Isaac Haith competing in the student Minecraft competitions. Isaac participated in the Minecraft Build Battle and the Parkour Challenge, demonstrating creativity, collaboration, and technical skill throughout the event.


Isaac’s team earned an impressive third place finish in the Minecraft Build Battle, while Isaac also secured an individual third place finish in the Parkour competition. His success showcased the problem-solving, persistence, and adaptability students continue developing through SparkLab experiences and hands-on technology learning opportunities.




SparkNC Strengthens North Carolina’s

Future-Ready Workforce


SparkNC supported North Carolina’s future-ready workforce ecosystem this month.


At North Carolina Technology Association (NC TECH) #TechFestNC, we were proud to have Stanton Fields, M.Ed represent SparkNC on the panel discussion, Apprenticeships, Early Careers, and AI-Ready Skills: How NC Is Building Its Next-Gen Tech Workforce. The conversation highlighted the importance of preparing students with the skills, experiences, and career pathways needed for an AI-driven future.


SparkNC also had a strong presence at the North Carolina Business Committee for Education Ready, Set, App! competition hosted at Lenovo — a statewide mobile app development competition designed to engage North Carolina high school students in coding, problem-solving, design thinking, and entrepreneurship.


From supporting student teams to serving on judging panels and building strategic partnerships, SparkNC was represented across every level of the event. Huge thanks to SparkLab Leader Nina Darnell (Cabarrus County Schools) for supporting students throughout the competition and to SparkLab Leader Sarah Gardinor (Brunswick County Schools) for representing SparkNC on the finalist judging panel and engaging teams with thoughtful, impactful questions. Thanks also to SparkNC's Rayshoun Chambers for serving as a judge to choose the final eight teams that competed in the challenge!


We’re incredibly proud of how SparkNC continues to support students, strengthen partnerships, and help shape the future of workforce development and innovation across our state.














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