Education United States Project #14318

Empowering apprenticeships for middle schoolers

by Spark Program, Inc.

Empowering apprenticeships for middle schoolers

Project Report | May 1, 2015
Spark Co-convenes D.C.'s Expanded Learning Summit

By Sarah Jones | National Grants Manager

Spark representative at the Summit.

On Tuesday, April 21, 2015, leaders from around the country convened at Meet in the Middle: Expanded Learning Summit in Washington, D.C. Spark was a convening partner alongside leaders from across the field at the local, state and national levels. Together, they hosted a daylong event focused on making expanded learning opportunities - like mentoring and apprenticeships - the new normal for all students.

With a mission aligned greatly to that of Spark’s, the Summit increased middle grades students’ access to innovative and diverse learning opportunities. These experiences and activities provide the critical support and real-world experiences that help shape students’ futures.

The middle grade years are some of the most pivotal times in a student’s life. The Expanded Learning Summit brought together schools and community organizations from across the country to refocus this attention. Joined by other leaders in the field, Spark CEO Jason Cascarino discussed Mentorship & Civic Engagement to examine the vital role that mentors and volunteers play in supporting and sustaining expanded learning opportunities for students. Additionally, Spark National Board Chair Dr. Adrian K. Haugabrook moderated a discussion on the importance of innovation in expanding approaches to learning and mentorship for students and school communities.

Spark was also pleased to have Anthony Brown, a Parent and Community Ombudsman for Henry C. Lea School in Philadelphia, share his first-hand insight regarding expanded learning. The Lea School currently partners with Spark Philadelphia and has nearly 20 students paired with Spark mentors in workplace-based apprenticeships.

Spark is grateful for the leadership of peer organizations Citizen Schools and Higher Achievement for spearheading the Summit and for the collaboration of fellow thought leaders, policymakers and practitioners who are committed to supporting every student during their most critical, but often-neglected, middle grade years.

2015 Expanded Learning Summit

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Feb 4, 2015
Discovery Nights Help Students Aim for their Futur

By Sarah Jones | Grants Manager

A hush fell over the crowd as she stepped up - she had a feeling that now was her moment to shine. As the lights of L.A. Dodger Stadium filled the room, she cleared her voice and swung, whole-heartedly for the proverbial fence. “My friend got bullied,” Litzully, an eighth-grader at Bethune Middle School in L.A.'s Florence neighborhood, explained as she presented to her family, friends and peers on her Spark Project that builds an online community for LBGT students. But the crowd was not gathered to see the Dodgers take on a cross-town rival, on that Tuesday night in December. Instead, friends, family, peers teachers and school staff from across the Los Angeles community gather for Spark’s Fall 2014 Discovery Night, held at Dodger Stadium in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.

Discovery Night is the capstone event for each Spark apprenticeship cycle in all four of Spark’s regions - LA, Philadelphia, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay. Spark students, mentors, families, teachers, and community members gather to view each student’s work and celebrate their many achievements from their 10-week apprenticeship. Spark LA’s Discovery Night served as the first-ever collective event bringing together all Spark LA school partners, students, mentors, friends, and family for one event celebrating the successes of more than 250 Spark LA students. This Discovery Night was the largest ever with more than 1,000 people in attendance and 261 Spark Projects on display.

During the event, students were thrilled to present their scale models, websites, building designs, and more at such an exciting and iconic venue. Students that completed apprenticeships at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences screened their films in a special screening room while other students discussed their projects with former Dodgers player, Dennis Powell. This event was even feature in the Los Angeles Times. Because of the event's wild success in highlighting the brightness of the Spark program, other Spark regions are assessing the potential to bring this unique experience to students in their regions as well.

Through the support of generous donors like you, Spark will continue to provide students on the bubble the opportunity to dream big, engage in their education and invest in their future success. On behalf of Spark and the nearly 1,000 students we will serve this year, we are truly grateful for your support.

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Nov 7, 2014
Shaping Futures Through Apprenticeships

By Kelly Kraus-Lee | Grants Coordinator

Jason and Isiah map out their project timeline

As the seasons change, a new school year begins and along with that comes another great year of student achievement at Spark. With programming kicking off in all four of Spark’s regions over the past months, Spark has increased enrollment by more than 13 percent from 750 students served nationwide during the 2013-14 program year to 875 in 2014-15 program year. With a unique combination of workplace apprenticeships and school-based Leadership Curriculum, Spark engages young people during the crucial middle grades and sets them on track for success.

This fall, Spark’s CEO embarked on his inaugural stint as a Spark mentor with Isiah, a student from Chicago’s west side. Together, the pair is designing a mock-up of a new, student-geared Spark website. As a part of his project plan, Isiah surveyed his peers and, with Jason’s help, analyzed the data to determine what components students would most like to see on his new Spark site. In addition to working diligently on this hands-on Spark project, Jason and Isiah, are exploring and building key skills, such as networking and public speaking, that are crucial for success in today’s workforce. Back at school, Isiah is also working towards earning badges through Spark’s Leadership Curriculum. By completing a range of lessons and activities, Isiah can earn badges based on skills, such as teamwork or values, such as exploring your future that help him, his teachers, and his parents track his progress and celebrate his achievements throughout the program.

Across the country in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, and Philadelphia, Spark students like Isiah are gaining 21st century skills and developing hands-on projects with mentors from leading companies, including Cornerstone OnDemand, Deloitte, Google, and Twitter. Thank you to our supporters for making apprenticeships for under-resourced students across the country possible this program year. Follow the link below to Jason’s blog on his experience as a Spark mentor and let us know on Facebook and Twitter, have you had a mentor that has helped shape your future?

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