STEM SPARKS (Students Pursuing Adventures, Research, Knowledge, and Solutions) began as a pilot afterschool initiative for middle schoolers at Bennett Middle School. Its foundation, however, is built on a concept that any educator can replicate and adapt. As a science educator with 12 years of experience, I’m passionate about providing real-world, hands-on learning opportunities. I noticed that many of my students wanted to dive deeper into STEM topics but lacked access to engaging, extended learning beyond the regular school day. To meet this need of my learners this past year, I created STEM SPARKS as a safe and dynamic space for 6th–8th graders. Students now explore topics like drones, 3D printing, and coding on their own terms.
What makes STEM SPARKS work isn’t just the tech, it’s the structure, flexibility, and student-driven nature of the activities. Each session is designed to be inquiry-based, exploratory, and collaborative. Students rotate through different experiences like coding mini-games, engineering challenges, and environmental investigations. We’ve invited STEM professionals to speak, explored drone flight paths, and even modeled climate data using graphing software. While the activities can be adapted based on available resources, the core design principle is clear: let students lead their own adventure while building 21st-century skills.
If you’re thinking about starting a similar club at your own school, the biggest takeaway I can offer is to start small and stay student focused. You don’t need all the flashiest tools just begin with recycled materials, free digital platforms like Tinkercad or Scratch, and survey your students for what excites them. Over time, you can grow your program through community partnerships or even grants. I applied for grants for my drones, 3D printers and iPads. I was overwhelmed by the funding to get this initiative started so quickly. STEM SPARKS has shown me what’s possible when you trust students to explore, create, and question boldly. I hope it sparks some new ideas to implement in your classroom too.