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Live learning experiences are led by SparkLab Leaders and industry experts and offered either in-person or virtually across the interdistrict network of SparkLabs. They expand the impact of volunteer experts, enabling students across the state to learn from tech professionals and build professional networks.
Experiential learning includes in-person events and programs such as conferences, team-based internships, job shadowing, and other hands-on learning opportunities. They take place in real-world settings that help learners build familiarity and comfort within professional environments.
The SparkNC platform offers a catalog of on-demand learning experiences that let learners choose and complete them at any time and at any pace that works for them. Learners can work on these individually or collaboratively in small groups, building success skills such as adaptability, communication and personal responsibility.
What We Do
SparkNC helps students create their own pathways into high-tech fields. Our network of North Carolina school districts have SparkLab Leaders who foster collaborative, engaging, learner-centered spaces called SparkLabs. They are physical hubs for a new kind of learning.
In SparkLab and beyond, Spark Scholars can choose and complete learning experiences (mini-courses) to stack toward high-school credit. Along the way, Spark Scholars build rich networks with industry professionals, lead design challenges, participate in hack-a-thons and create robust portfolios of work to demonstrate their readiness for college and careers.
Our Work
Our SparkNC team, Board of Directors, Business Advisory Council, and business and higher-ed partners work together to achieve our vision for Spark Scholars.
High-Tech Fields
Spark Scholars prepare for high-wage, socially impactful careers in these high-tech fields.
High-Tech Fields
Spark Scholars prepare for high-wage, socially impactful careers in these high-tech fields.
Learning Experiences
Spark Scholars choose learning experiences offered in a variety of formats.
Live Units are designed and led by SparkLab Leaders and industry experts and offered either in-person or virtually across the interdistrict network of SparkLabs. Live Units expand the impact of volunteer experts, enabling students across the state to learn from tech professionals and build professional networks.
Experiential Units are live, in-person events and programs such as conferences, team-based internships, job shadowing, and other hands-on learning opportunities. These Units take place in real-world settings that help learners build familiarity and comfort within professional high-tech environments.
On-Demand Units on the SparkNC platform let learners choose from a menu of learning experiences in high-tech fields and complete them at any time and at any pace that works for them. Some Units may be completed individually while others may be completely collaboratively in small groups.
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Stacking Learning Experiences
SparkNC’s Catalog offers more than 50 learning experiences (and growing!) related to high-tech fields. An introductory module, six units, and a capstone experience with portfolio, earns a course credit toward high school graduation. Each unit covers about the same amount of content as 1/6 of a traditional course.
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Student Choice
Spark Scholars choose which of the learning experiences they want to take and then stack them together like building blocks. No two paths need to be the same. It’s entirely up to each Spark Scholar. Some of SparkNC’s learning experiences can be done individually. Many are cohort-based or can be done in teams.
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Unit Design
Each learning experience has been carefully designed by our team and partners and includes a focus on durable skills and tech skills. Our competency-based approach to learning ensures students demonstrate their learning through a performance-based task or final product. Learning reflections at the end of each experience promotes metacognition and self-understanding.
Interdistrict Network
Innovative leaders from 26 North Carolina school districts are part of SparkNC's collaborative inter-district network.
SparkLabs
SparkLabs are collaborative spaces for teaching and learning. Districts have built their SparkLabs in high schools, centers for innovation, and other locations in their communities. Each SparkLab has separate spaces focused on collaboration, high-tech computing, and individual work and ideation.
Every SparkLab has a hybrid teaching and learning zone that connects it with other districts’ SparkLabs, creating an inter-district connected classroom where lab leaders and industry partners can interact with students across the network.
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