SPARK!

Delivered by GSSM’s Center for Science Education & Outreach, SPARK! is designed to inspire an early interest in and awareness of STEAM studies. In a series of after school workshops, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders follow their interests to learn the science or math concepts behind daily questions or curiosities.

Click here to register

Students can select any or all workshops to attend. See the full list below!

WHEN: September - November 2021 (See dates below)
TIME: 4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
WHERE: Virtual & In-Person

LOCATION: 401 Railroad Ave Hartsville, SC 29505
WHO: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
COST: A student’s time and willingness to learn new things!
 

Space is limited to 20 students per virtual session, 15 students per in person session!

• After school workshops exploring a wide range of STEAM topics, selected based on students' interests.
• An opportunity to connect with GSSM residential students who will serve as instructors and role models.
• For some virtual classes, a materials kit will be mailed to participants prior to the enrolled session. Kits will not be mailed to a P.O. Box.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS

Virtual Classes

• Personal email address (parent or student; must be able to receive outside emails) to receive all notifications and instructions from instructors.
• Computer with internet connection that can handle video conferencing using Zoom.
• Headset recommended for audio quality, but not required.

In-person Classes

SPARK will be held on the GSSM campus. SPARK students, their families, and all visitors are expected to follow the school's COVID-19 safety protocols. For more information regarding GSSM’s protocols, click here or call the Outreach Center at 843-383-3958.

REGISTRATION TIPS

1. Step 1: Complete the Student Program Registration form and online student documents using the link provided. 
2. Step 2:  Once registration is electronically submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the email provided with a PDF copy of your selections and a reminder to complete the online student documents. When all student documents have been submitted, the registration will be reviewed for enrollment.
3. Step 3: Add @gssm.k12.sc.us or @governors.school to your safe senders list. Acceptance notifications will be sent via email with next steps.

GSSM cannot be held responsible to block inappropriate internet material from your family’s computer or internet connection. GSSM firewalls do not protect your home networks. Instructors may provide websites for students to explore for continued learning, and they cannot be held responsible for popup ads or other links that the student may follow.

Fall 2021 Spark! Workshops

Biology: Heredity (Virtual) Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021 **This class is full

Have you heard of Gregor Mendel and his famous peas? Do you ever wonder how traits get passed down? If so, this lesson is for you! We will explore the basic model of Mendelian genetics while also looking into more complex forms of inheritance. We will also observe how these genes have changed over time and how that determines the survival of different species. We hope you join us to learn a little more about what makes each one of us unique! 

Spanish: ¡Bienvenidos!  (In Person)  Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 

¡Bienvenidos! Have you noticed how some people say “fries” and some say “crisps”? In this lesson we will look at different accents in Spanish speaking countries, and some examples of words that are different in each culture. We will listen to some music, play some piedra, papel, tijera (or rock, paper, scissors), and have fun learning the basics of conjugating verbs!  ¡Espero verte pronto!

Chemistry: Going the Right Way…and Left! (Virtual) Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 **This class is full

We have all seen chemical reactions go forward (for example, NaOH + HCl gives you NaCl… salt!), but have you ever thought about reactions that go backwards? What about reactions that can shift based on their environment? In this lesson, we will explore equilibrium reactions and their unique behaviors and characteristics. We will also look at unique laws and principles discovered to help us understand how these reactions work. Join us to enrich your Chemistry knowledge!

Chinese: Language & Characters (Virtual) Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021

你好！ 你叫什么？Are you intrigued by the idea of a language without an alphabet? In this lesson, students will learn the basics of the Chinese language, including common phrases and pronunciations. We will learn calligraphy and other fun activities to learn how to write characters. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to greet one another in Chinese! 

Robotics: Mechatronics (In Person) Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021

Look around your room. Have you ever wondered how some of these items you use every day are assembled? There is a good chance many of them are made by robots in factories.  In this lesson, we will explore different machines and techniques used in factories like injection molding, robotic arms, mechatronics, and 3d printing. Participants will learn how robots have improved the production of everyday items and be able to understand how items we depend on everyday are mass produced.   

Computer Science: Coding at its Core (Virtual) Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021 **This class is full

Do you ever wonder how all the programs you use were made? How do programs like Word, Chrome, and even your computer’s Operating System work? In this lesson, students will learn the fundamentals of programming, including basic variables, loops, and functions, then test their knowledge using block code and a pre-built FTC robot.  Join us to get a basic understanding of how computer code works! 

Environmental Science: Can You Save the World? (Virtual) Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 **This class is full

What exactly is "the right thing to do"? Sometimes, both sides have equally valid arguments, and this is no different when it comes to the environment! Join us as we explore the ethics that are involved with our beautiful Earth as we explore and discuss ethical dilemmas such as oil drilling, aquariums, plastic bags, and so much more!

Music: Music Theory: Majors, Minors, Rhythms, & More! (In Person) Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021

If you’ve ever looked at a piece of sheet music, it can seem intimidating. From the different symbols to Italian words, music has many parts. In this lesson, students will learn the basics of music theory, including reading key signatures, counting beats, and identifying rhythms. Students will also take music theory a step further and investigate patterns and relationships between these elements of music theory. We hope you embrace your musical side with us!

French: The Science of French Fashion (Virtual) Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021

French fashion designers are some of the best that the world has ever known. Throughout the years, French couture has become more elaborate and creative. In this lesson, students will learn about infamous fashion designers like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and many more. They will also learn how French fashion and fashion culture has influenced other cultures around the world. They will also learn how modern fashion production trends, such as fast fashion, have differed between the United States and francophone countries. We hope to see you soon! À bientôt!

Physics: Go with the Flow (In Person) Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021

Do you wonder how charge flows through objects? Have you ever wondered about how different objects can experience charge? In this lesson, you will learn about the attractivity of charges and electric fields! You will also learn about how charges affect certain objects through experimentation. We will also apply this knowledge to higher level physics to introduce important laws. Join us in learning more about physics in world around us.

Government & Economics: Making Money in the Stock Market (Virtual) Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021 **This class is full

Do you want to understand the stock market better and be able to make money using it? This lesson will give students an introduction to the stock market. Participants will not only learn how to make money, but also how to avoid the risk of losing money as well. We will explore real examples of companies on the stock market and how their stock has changed over the past year. Join us to bring out your inner investor!

History: The Impossible Next Day Delivery (Virtual) Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 **This class is full

Imagine living in one of the world’s major cities and suddenly you are cut off from the outside world entirely. What would you do? Well, this history lesson will look at the Berlin Wall and blockade part of the Cold War, and how the actions of countries and individuals helped overcome what could have been a major aid crisis through one of history’s greatest air drop efforts. We will even engineer our own solutions to this historical problem. Strap into your cargo jet and prepare to get a supply drop of knowledge in this SPARK! lesson.

Government & Economics: Making Money in the Stock Market (In Person) Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021

Do you want to understand the stock market better and be able to make money using it? This lesson will give students an introduction to the stock market. Participants will not only learn how to make money, but also how to avoid the risk of losing money as well. We will explore real examples of companies on the stock market and how their stock has changed over the past year. Join us to bring out your inner investor!

Latin: The Roots of Latin (Virtual)Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021 **This class is full

You probably know that all the Romance languages (French, Spanish etc.) are derived from Latin, but you might not be aware of English’s deep roots in Latin, despite it being a Germanic language. After this lesson, students will understand some of the key features of Latin that set it apart, how Latin has shaped modern English, it’s utility in various STEM fields, as well as it’s influences in romance languages and more. So, carpe diem and sign up for a lesson now! 

Literature: The Power of Words (Virtual) Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 **This class is full

Have you ever read something so good that it changed your opinions? For centuries humans have strived to write compelling stories. Certain narratives stand above the rest in the influence that single works of words have had on society. This lesson will introduce the idea of literature for change by looking at incredible examples in American History such as Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" and Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," both of which led to governmental change to solve contemporary issues. Why did these works have such an impact, and how can we use their methods when writing for change today? Additionally, we will examine how the phrasing of what we say can change how ideas feel. The current debate about the state of our climate has been framed by the words used to describe it, and you can learn how politicians support or discourage action for the climate with the words that they use. Join us to learn how to best use your voice to change your world!

Chinese: Language & Characters (In Person) Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021

你好！ 你叫什么？Are you intrigued by the idea of a language without an alphabet? In this lesson, students will learn the basics of the Chinese language, including common phrases and pronunciations. We will learn calligraphy and other fun activities to learn how to write characters. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to greet one another in Chinese! 

Math: Consequential Constants (Virtual) Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 **This class is full

Have you ever wondered why some numbers are represented as letters or words? Or why π is the specific number it is? Numbers shape every discipline of mathematics from arithmetic to calculus, but some numbers are special in the way we apply them. In this lesson, we will explore some very specific and important numbers like e, π, phi (also known as the golden ratio), i, and others, detailing how they were discovered and their applications. Join us to learn how a handful of symbols influences the mathematical world!

Chemistry: Going the Right Way…and Left (In Person) Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021

We have all seen chemical reactions go forward (for example, NaOH + HCl gives you NaCl… salt!), but have you ever thought about reactions that go backwards? What about reactions that can shift based on their environment? In this lesson, we will explore equilibrium reactions and their unique behaviors and characteristics. We will also look at unique laws and principles discovered to help us understand how these reactions work. Join us to enrich your Chemistry knowledge!

Music: Music Theory: Majors, Minors, Rhythms, & More! (Virtual) Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021

If you’ve ever looked at a piece of sheet music, it can seem intimidating. From the different symbols to Italian words, music has many parts. In this lesson, students will learn the basics of music theory, including reading key signatures, counting beats, and identifying rhythms. Students will also take music theory a step further and investigate patterns and relationships between these elements of music theory. We hope you embrace your musical side with us!

Physics: Go with the Flow (Virtual) Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 **This class is full

Do you wonder how charge flows through objects? Have you ever wondered about how different objects can experience charge? In this lesson, you will learn about the attractivity of charges and electric fields! You will also learn about how charges affect certain objects through experimentation. We will also apply this knowledge to higher level physics to introduce important laws. Join us in learning more about physics in world around us.

Biology: Heredity (In Person) Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021

Have you heard of Gregor Mendel and his famous peas? Do you ever wonder how traits get passed down? If so, this lesson is for you! We will explore the basic model of Mendelian genetics while also looking into more complex forms of inheritance. We will also observe how these genes have changed over time and how that determines the survival of different species. We hope you join us to learn a little more about what makes each one of us unique! 

Robotics: Mechatronics (Virtual) Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 **This class is full

Look around your room. Have you ever wondered how some of these items you use every day are assembled? There is a good chance many of them are made by robots in factories.  In this lesson, we will explore different machines and techniques used in factories like injection molding, robotic arms, mechatronics, and 3d printing. Participants will learn how robots have improved the production of everyday items and be able to understand how items we depend on everyday are mass produced.   

Spanish: ¡Bienvenidos!  (Virtual) Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021 **This class is full

¡Bienvenidos! Have you noticed how some people say “fries” and some say “crisps”? In this lesson we will look at different accents in Spanish speaking countries, and some examples of words that are different in each culture. We will listen to some music, play some piedra, papel, tijera (or rock, paper, scissors), and have fun learning the basics of conjugating verbs!  ¡Espero verte pronto!