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SparkBytes | September 2025
- SparkNC
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Spotlight on SparkLab Visits
This September, SparkNC and our partner districts welcomed an esteemed list of funders, government leaders and community members to visit SparkLabs across the state. State leaders, including North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem, Phil Berger, Senate Majority Leader Michael Lee, Representative Monika Johnson-Hostler and representatives from U.S. Senator Thom Tillis' office joined us to get an inside look at how Spark Scholars are engaging with real-world, high-tech learning experiences. In addition, business and industry leaders like Live Oak Bank and Cisco and funders such as Stand Together and The Leon Levine Foundation joined us and shared their insights about how SparkNC is helping learners build the future-ready skills businesses and our economy need.
We are grateful to the SparkLabs that opened their doors and hosted these visitors to see how SparkNC empowers learners to "do school differently." Thank you to: the Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington, SEA-Tech High School, South Rowan High School and Southeast Guilford High School.
Igniting Futures in Tech, Together: Partner with SparkNC!
Partnering with SparkNC helps organizations ignite the next generation of tech talent by cultivating the future workforce, demonstrating industry leadership and enhancing their community connections. Together, we can provide students with hands‑on learning and real‑world exposure while building networks that support career readiness. If you would like to learn more, answer these quick questions and we'll reach out. Opportunities include: sponsorships, volunteer support, curriculum collaborations, hosting immersive experiences, and more!
Celebrating Innovation: Spark Scholars Place in Competition
Congratulations to our Spark Scholars Michael and Nathan (3rd place) from Edgecombe County, and Angel (5th place) from Asheboro City Schools for their strong showings in the national Rube Goldberg Unreal Engine Challenge! Sponsored by the Rube Goldberg Institute and Epic Games, this competition challenges students to use the Unreal Engine 3D creation tool to design overly-complex machines that perform simple tasks. Our students showcased outstanding engineering mindsets, creativity and teamwork to place nationally. We're incredibly proud of them!
SparkNC Featured in Statewide and National Media
SparkNC was featured in articles, a news broadcast and a podcast recently. These pieces showcase our efforts to build learner-centered ecosystems and promote learning that breaks out of traditional structures while building learners' tech and durable skills and professional networks.
See:
How 12 Innovative Teams Make Learning Happen in Communities, Not Just in Schools in The 74
Creating Impact Through Career-Connected Learning by American Student Assistance
Igniting Tomorrow's Workforce in The Connector podcast
Preparing students for high-tech careers at WakeTech on CBS news
