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SparkBytes | Summer 2025
- SparkNC
- 24 minutes ago
- 2 min read
SPARK SCHOLARS IN CHICAGO
In June, six Spark Scholars and their lab leader from Lexington City's SparkLab traveled with SparkNC team members to Chicago to participate in Education Reimagined's Learner Centered Ecosystem Lab convening, a national gathering of students, educators, and innovators working to shape the future of learning. The Spark Scholars engaged fully as peers in the event and shared their perspectives, collaborated on bold ideas, and explored how education can better prepare students for an ever-changing world. The learners presented an interactive map installation in the Catalyst Ranch Studio filled with demonstrations of learner-centered programs from across the U.S. The trip was both inspiring and energizing—equipping our Scholars with new insights they brought back to share across their communities and SparkNC's interdistrict network.
LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE
This summer, district leadership and industry partners came together for a Leadership Exchange at Cisco. Through collaborative discussions and peer-led sessions, leaders explored new ways to guide students to develop durable success skills, integrate emerging technologies, and build meaningful industry connections. The gathering was more than an opportunity for professional growth; it was also about building community, strengthened partnerships and a vibrant exchange of ideas throughout our interdistrict network. Together, we deepened our connection to one other and our commitment to transformational learning at the heart of SparkNC.
LAB LEADER KICKOFF
We kicked off the 2025–26 school year by bringing together our new and continuing SparkLab Leaders from across North Carolina! This annual gathering is where energy, ideas, and community-building combine. Together, we explored what it means to create thriving SparkLabs, reflected on student impact, and aligned around what’s ahead for the year. We're grateful for this group of innovative, committed educators who are reimagining learning and leading the way in emerging tech. The future is brighter because of their commitment. We know this network of dynamic leaders will spark great things this year!
Celebrating Our SparkNC Honor Cord Graduates
Congratulations to our SparkNC graduates on earning their SparkNC honor cord! These students earned high school credit in a new way by choosing and completing at least six SparkNC learning experiences during their high school journey and preparing a portfolio of the work they created throughout. Spark Scholar graduates have demonstrated their curiosity, persistence and a passion for learning in emerging technology fields. The honor cord is a symbol of their hard work and their readiness to take on future challenges in college and career. This milestone marks the beginning of a new SparkNC tradition, and we can’t wait to see what our graduates do next and how they help future graduates follow in their footsteps.