SPARK! Fall 2025 Classes
- Tuesday, September 23, 2025 / Astronomy - Explore Our Solar System & Beyond
How did our solar system begin? What makes exoplanets so different? Find out how our solar system formed from ancient stardust over billions of years. Discover the wild variety of planets in other solar systems—called exoplanets! Join us for a cosmic journey with fun lessons and activities that are out of this world.
- Wednesday, September 24, 2025 / Biology - All About Cells
What do all living things have in common? Cells! They're tiny, but they do BIG things—like making proteins and fixing your body. Want to know what each part does? (Spoiler: they're all important!) Join us for a cell adventure with awesome teachers and a cool activity!
- Thursday, September 25, 2025 / Chemistry – Gas Laws: Under Pressure
Why does a hot air balloon rise? What happens when you pop open a soda? It’s all about pressure, temperature, and volume! Unlock the secrets of how gases really work. Join us in Spark Chemistry for a fun exploration of gas laws with a surprising science in action demonstration!
- Tuesday, September 30, 2025 / Chinese - The Science Behind the Zodiac
Curious about astrology or your zodiac sign? Discover the twelve signs, the legends behind them, and what they may say about you! We’ll explore how ancient myths meet modern science in a journey through the stars. Join us this fall for a fun and exciting look into the zodiac and beyond!
- Wednesday, October 1, 2025 / Computer Science - Think Like a Computer
Ever wonder how computers keep everything so organized? From loading your favorite apps to keeping track of your texts, computers rely on special systems like stacks, queues, and trees to manage data. In this hands-on session, you'll uncover the secrets behind how computers sort, store, and access information—and try it out yourself! If you love puzzles and want to know how computers really think, this is the lesson for you. Come join us and start organizing like a computer!
- Tuesday, October 7, 2025 / Cyber Security – How Safe Are You Online?
Ever wonder what really happens when you click a sketchy link? Or how could one weak password let hackers in? Learn how to spot scams, stop malware, and build strong defenses. Join us this fall to think like a hacker—and protect yourself before someone else gets in!
- Wednesday, October 8, 2025 / Engineering - Discover Engineering
Love building, designing, or solving problems with math and science? Curious about engineering but not sure where to start? Explore the exciting world of engineering—from bridges and rockets to medicine and machines! Learn about different types of engineers, what they do, and how you can become one. Join us to SPARK! your curiosity and dive into the world of innovation through engineering!
- Thursday, October 9, 2025 / Environmental Science - Plastic Pollution: Where Does It All Go?
What really happens to plastic after we toss it? From ocean floors to the air that we breathe—plastic is everywhere. Find out how it impacts animals, ecosystems, and even us. Join our lesson to uncover the truth about plastic and learn simple ways you can make a big difference for the planet.
- Tuesday, October 14, 2025 / Government & Economics – Credit versus Debit: When to Use Each
Ever had to decide how to pay for something and wondered which card to use? In this lesson, we'll break down the difference between credit and debit cards—how they work, when to use them, and what risks and benefits they bring. Discover the benefits of borrowing money versus using your own funds, including interest rates and fraud protection. Plus, get hands-on with real-life scenarios where you'll choose between credit and debit to make smart money decisions. Join us to learn the ins and outs of using cards wisely in everyday life!
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025 / History – The History of the Periodic Table
Ever wonder how the periodic table came to be? Discover how Dmitri Mendeleev predicted elements before they were even found! In this lesson, we’ll explore how the table was built—and how it’s still growing today. If you're curious about the elements and the science behind their order, join us for a journey through chemistry history!
- Thursday, October 16, 2025 / Literature – Libraries That Changed the World
Ever wondered how a library changed the world? In this lesson, you'll travel back to the Golden Age of Islam, where a library in Baghdad became the epicenter of knowledge and discovery. Learn how scholars shared wisdom instead of waging war, building on Greek philosophy, science, and medicine. You'll explore how their breakthroughs connected cultures and shaped the world. Ready to dive into this fascinating era of knowledge and innovation? See you in class!
- Tuesday, October 21, 2025 / Marine Biology – Tidepool & Shallow Water Critters
Ever wondered how creatures survive in both land and water? In this lesson, you'll dive into the world of tidepools, where high and low tides create unique zones full of fascinating creatures! From snails and barnacles to sea stars, urchins, and crabs—learn how each critter thrives in this constantly changing environment. You'll also discover the seaweed forests and tiny fish that share these pools. Then, get creative and design your own critter that could survive in these challenging conditions! Ready to explore the tidepool world and its mighty residents? See you in class!
- Wednesday, October 22, 2025 / Math – Falling into Chaos: Discovering Order in the Unpredictable
What do fluttering leaves and weather forecasts have in common? Chaos theory shows us how small changes can lead to big surprises—and it’s hiding in all kinds of places, from swinging pendulums to nature and numbers. Explore the math behind the madness with hands-on experiments and wild patterns in motion. Join us to uncover how chaos helps us make sense of a world that doesn’t always play by the rules!
- Thursday, October 23, 2025 / Medicine (Eastern) – How Ancient Medicine Understood the Body
What can your tongue say about your health? How did doctors check pulses without machines? Discover how ancient systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda used observation to understand the body. Explore how these traditions connect to modern science ideas like homeostasis and body systems. Join us to see how old-school wisdom meets today’s science in this fascinating look at the human body!
- Tuesday, October 28, 2025 / Medicine (Western) - The Highway of Life: Inside the Circulatory System
How does your heart keep pumping without stopping? What keeps your body fueled and full of oxygen? Explore the amazing system that keeps everything moving—your circulatory system! In this lesson, you’ll learn how the heart, blood, and vessels work together to power your body. Get ready for an exciting journey through the body’s highways—and find out why taking care of your heart really matters! Join us for a lesson that’s sure to get your blood flowing!
- Wednesday, October 29, 2025 / Music – Timeline of Music Technology: From Beethoven to Beats
Ever wonder how music went from symphonies to streaming? Explore how technology has changed the way music is made—from classical composers to studio-produced pop hits. We’ll dive into the tools, trends, and artists that shaped music through the ages. Join us for a sound-filled journey through time and discover how tech and tunes come together!
- Tuesday, November 4, 2025 / Physics -Thermodynamics: The Power of Heat & Energy
Why does one object feel colder than another, even in the same room? How is energy conserved when things heat up? Discover the science behind heat, temperature, and energy in everyday life! Join us to explore the laws of thermodynamics and discover how they apply to everyday objects in your home.
- Wednesday, November 5, 2025 / Psychology –The Science of You: Exploring Personality
Ever wonder why no two people are exactly alike? In this session, we’ll dive into what shapes personality, why it matters, and how it makes you unique. Explore real psychological theories, take a fun personality quiz, and challenge what you think you know about yourself. Join us to discover the science behind who you are—and learn more about you along the way!
- Thursday, November 6, 2025 / Robotics – What is FTC? Simulate Your First Robot Mission!
Ever dreamed of joining a real robotics team? Get an inside look at FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), where students build and program robots to take on exciting challenges, through discussions with GSSM's robotics team members! Then hop into a virtual simulator to test your skills and complete your first mini-robot mission. Join us and see what it’s like to think, build, and drive like a robotics pro!
- Tuesday, November 11, 2025 / Sociology – Environmental Sociology: How People & the Planet Connect
How do our communities shape the environment—and how does the environment shape us? From big cities to small towns, learn how where we live affects how we live—and how our choices impact the Earth. We’ll explore real-world issues like pollution and climate change, and how people can work together to protect the planet. Join us to see how your everyday actions make a difference—and how we can shape a better world together!
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025 / Spanish – Falsos Amigos: Tricky Twins in Spanish
Do you think you know what “embarazada” means? It looks like “embarrassed,” right? Well, think again! Some Spanish words look just like English ones—but mean something totally different. These “false friends” can be confusing, funny, and sometimes awkward! Join us to uncover the truth behind these tricky twins, laugh at the mix-ups, and make sure you’re never fooled again!