SPARK! Spring 2026 Classes
- Tuesday, February 3, 2026 / Astronomy - Stars & Black Holes: Life & Death in Space
Is our Sun really that special? How do stars live and what happens when they die? In this lesson, we’ll explore how stars form, shine, and change over billions of years. From tiny white dwarfs to massive red giants, and the dramatic birth of black holes, each star has a story to tell. Join us this spring for a stellar journey through the life cycles of stars and the mysteries they leave behind!
- Wednesday, February 4, 2026 / Aviation- Adventures in Aviation: Safety, Service, & Strategy
Is flying really as simple as getting from one place to another? What happens behind the scenes to keep passengers safe, calm, and comfortable? In this lesson, we’ll explore how flight crews handle in-air emergencies, practice essential drills, and create a smooth experience for everyone on board. From communication strategies to real-time decision-making, each part of airline operations plays a vital role. Join us this spring for an inside look at life in the skies and put your skills to the test in our Airline Operations Challenge, where you’ll manage flight scenarios and design your own in-flight service!
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 / Biology - Scientific Evolution: From the Haeden Era to Now
How did humans become... human? And what in the world are stromatolites? Take a journey back billions of years to explore Earth’s earliest days and the major events that shaped life as we know it. We’ll explore the different eons, discover strange ancient organisms, and follow the timeline of scientific evolution all the way to today. Join us for a fascinating, scientific look at how we got here!
- Tuesday, February 10, 2026 / Chemistry – The Power of Acids & Bases
Why does vinegar and baking soda bubble like crazy? What happens when acids and bases cancel each other out? Discover the science behind pH, chemical reactions, and cool tools like indicators and titrations. From your stomach to the environment, acids and bases are everywhere. Join us to explore their powerful effects in the real world!
- Wednesday, February 11, 2026 / Chinese - Tasty Travels: Chinese Desserts & Street Food
Love to eat? Curious about what’s cooking in China? Join us this semester to explore popular Chinese desserts and street foods, and the culture behind every bite! Learn how these delicious dishes are made and discover how to recreate them at home to share with friends and family. Come curious and ready to explore food, flavor, and tradition!
- Thursday, February 12, 2026 / Computer Science - Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Can a computer recognize your face, recommend your next favorite song, or even drive a car? Turns out, yes, it can! In this exciting session, we’ll dive into the world of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, the tech behind Siri, YouTube, and self-driving cars. You’ll learn how computers "learn" from data, make decisions, and even mimic human thinking. If you're curious about how smart machines really are (and how they got that way), this is your chance to find out. Come explore the future of technology. You might even teach a computer something new!
- Tuesday, February 17, 2026 / Cyber Security – Ethical Hacking & Digital Forensics
Do you think you can catch a hacker? Step into the world of ethical hacking and digital forensics to uncover how cybersecurity pros track down cybercriminals. Through hands-on simulations and real-world case studies, you’ll learn the tools, tricks, and teamwork it takes to stop a cyberattack. Join us this spring and see if you’ve got what it takes to outsmart the bad guys!
- Wednesday, February 18, 2026 / Engineering - Aerospace Engineering: Design, Launch, Fly!
Love rockets, space, and building cool stuff? Discover the exciting world of aerospace engineering where science, math, and creativity take flight! Learn how engineers design rockets and planes, what makes them soar, and how you can become an aerospace engineer too. Get ready to launch your curiosity and explore the skies with us!
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 / Environmental Science - Endangered Species: Can You Help Save Them?
Why are so many animals disappearing and what can we do about it? In this exciting lesson, you’ll explore what puts wildlife at risk and why protecting them matters. Through real stories, cool examples, and hands-on challenges, you’ll create your own conservation ideas to help save species and the planet. If you care about animals, nature, or making a difference, this lesson is for you!
- Wednesday, February 25, 2026 / Government & Economics – Inside the Electoral College
Ever wonder why some votes seem to count more than others in a presidential election? In this lesson, we’ll break down how the Electoral College works, why it was created, and why it still matters today. Explore key concepts like state electors, “winner-takes-all” rules, and swing states and then step into the role of an elector yourself! Join us for a fun mock election and see if you’ve got what it takes to decide the next president!
- Thursday, February 26, 2026 / History – Zeppelins: Rise and Fall of the Giant Airships
How did massive airships like Zeppelins float through the sky and why did they disappear before the 1940s? In this lesson, you’ll explore how Zeppelins worked, why they were once so popular, and what led to their dramatic decline. From flying luxury to fiery disasters, discover the highs and lows of these sky giants. Join us for a journey through history that’s full of twists, turns, and airships!
- Tuesday, March 10, 2026 / Literature – The Power of Literary Romanticism
What if trusting your intuition could change the world? This spring, we’re diving into Romanticism, a movement full of bold ideas about emotion, individuality, nature, and imagination. Through the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and other key thinkers, we’ll explore how historical writers challenged tradition and inspired people to think for themselves. Join us and discover how the spirit of Romanticism still lives on in the world (and words) around us!
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026 / Marine Biology – Marine Mammals: Breathing Air, Living in Water
How do whales, seals, and sea otters survive in the ocean when they need air to breathe? In this lesson, you’ll meet all kinds of marine mammals from giant blue whales to playful sea otters and learn how they’ve adapted to life in the sea. From dolphins to polar bears, discover what makes each species unique and important to ocean ecosystems. Join us for a splashy adventure into the world of marine mammals!
- Thursday, March 17, 2026 / Math – Fractals in Bloom: Nature's Hidden Math
Why do sunflowers, ferns, and snowflakes all share the same patterns? Can you find infinity in a simple shape? Fractals are endlessly repeating, self-similar shapes that appear in nature, art, and technology. With just a few rules, you can build infinitely complex designs. In this lesson, we’ll zoom in on the math of beauty from the Mandelbrot set to real-life natural fractals and even create our own. Come explore how math creates stunning structures in the natural world, one spiral at a time!
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026 / Medicine (Eastern) – Exploring Ayurveda and the Science of Self-Care
Why does one person love the cold while another bundles up in 70°F weather? Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine from India, focuses on body types, lifestyle, and environment to keep you in balance. In this lesson, we’ll explore how Ayurvedic ideas of the Doshas connect to biology, metabolism, and environmental science. Discover how your unique body type influences your preferences and health and learn how ancient wisdom aligns with modern science.
- Thursday, March 19, 2026 / Medicine (Western) - All About Viruses
What exactly is a virus, and how can it cause such a big impact on our health? In this lesson, we'll explore the microscopic world of viruses and how they make us sick. We'll learn about different types of viruses, what they do on the cellular level, and how their specific structures make them so infectious. We'll also discuss how viruses spread, the science of vaccinations, and how doctors and scientists work to treat and prevent infections. Get your lab coats and goggles ready—it's all about protection when fighting these viral attackers! Join us for a lesson that will have you thinking twice about these invisible infectors.
- Tuesday, March 24, 2026 / Physics -Exploring Light: The Secret of Optics
Ever wondered why the sky is blue or how a rainbow forms? Or how does light travel so fast? In this fun and interactive lesson, we’ll explore all the cool stuff about light, from the electromagnetic spectrum to reflection, dispersion, and more! Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of optics and uncover how light works in ways you’ve never thought of before. Join us and let’s shine a light on the science behind it all!
- Wednesday, March 25, 2026 / Psychology –The Brain: The Boss of Your Body
Ever wondered how your brain helps you do everything you do each day? From making decisions to feeling emotions and learning new things, your brain is behind it all! In this exciting lesson, we’ll explore how different parts of your brain work together to make you, well, you! You’ll discover how scientists figured out what each part of the brain does (and the funny mistakes they made along the way). By the end, you’ll even draw and label your own brain to see how it controls everything from thinking to moving!
- Thursday, March 26, 2026 / Robotics – Autonomous Robots
Ever wondered how robots navigate without eyes? They don’t bump into walls because they use special sensors and smart thinking! In this hands-on lesson, you’ll explore how robots plan their path and avoid obstacles. Get ready for a fun virtual maze challenge where you’ll guide your robot to the finish line! Come learn how robots “see” and move without ever crashing. Join us and let’s get your robot navigating like a pro!
- Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / Sociology – Sociology in Science: How Our World Shapes Our Health
Ever wondered how factors like where you live or the traditions in your family affect your health? In this exciting lesson, we’ll dive into how communities influence the way we stay healthy and how science and technology shape our everyday lives. From medical breakthroughs to healthcare access, you’ll explore how culture, income, and location impact health and well-being. We’ll also talk about how we can all make healthier choices and support fairness in healthcare for everyone. Join us to uncover how science, society, and health all connect in ways you never thought about! Let’s get started!
- Wednesday, April 1, 2026 / Spanish – Voices of Spanish: Accents & Dialects Around the World
Why does Spanish sound so different in Spain, Mexico, or Argentina? Ever heard someone say “grathias” instead of “gracias”? That’s the magic of accents and dialects! In this fun and interactive lesson, we’ll explore how Spanish changes across the globe using games, audio clips, and maps. You’ll hear the differences, learn why they exist, and even try out some accents yourself! Love languages or are you just curious? Come join us and discover the many voices of Spanish!