S.P.A.R.K.S. = Science Projects are Really Kids’ Stuff!

The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation is a dynamic science education non-profit organization (501(c)3) dedicated to strengthening, enhancing and enriching students’ interest in science and STEM in general through hands-on learning. To date, we have funded well over $1 million worth of science programs to schools and to income-eligible students.  We are making a difference for students, for schools and for businesses who are desperate for workers with a strong background in the sciences. Education is the key to a student’s future success and a chance for a better quality of life. We can only continue to make a difference with your help!

Our Mission: To provide quality, inquiry-based science programming to all children regardless of socio-economic status.

From some of our students . . .

Dear S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation,

Because of you, now I think science is AMAZING! Now I have so many questions like what chemicals are in the air, and can two chemicals turn into food, but the best question is WHY IS SCIENCE SO AWESOME?! I loved the experiments you did with our class and loved the energy assembly.  Who knew you could take a leaf blower and turn it into a hoverboard?  Your friend, Bromine Brian, 4th grader

Dear S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation,

I really liked the experiments we did last year . . . so many cool things! You are making our lives super amazing. I liked learning about electricity, blood cells and a lot more. It is just wrecking me to see how things work in nature. You do not know how amazed I feel! Thank you for the great things you did for my education and for me.  – Temperature Talia

Our goals: 

• Inspire lifelong engagement in science at a critical time in young students’ lives.
• Encourage students to ask questions, think critically and become problem-solving individuals.
• Provide interactive, hands-on learning opportunities in STEM that extend and enhance the traditional elementary science curriculum.
• Collaborate with the educational community to strengthen STEM skills for students as future workers in an increasingly STEM-oriented world.
• Create a safe environment for expanding young students’ comfort with and mastery of the natural world around them

Do students really need more science? Does the U.S. really need more scientists? YES! 

The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation responds to the challenge by raising funds to fill the education gaps:

• We provide our Classroom Visitation Science Programs to elementary schools at no or low cost; we must get students excited about science at a young age and studies show that hands-on science (as opposed to merely reading science texts) increases children’s understanding and retention of subject matter.

• We also offer low cost hands-on science and nature programs ($10 registration fee) to children 6 – 11 at CCSWA (Chester County Solid Waste Authority) and SECCRA (Southeastern Chester County Refuse Authority) at their locations one Saturday morning a month. With generous funding from each of these donors, more young scientists have access to learning beyond the classroom. CCSWA Oct. – Dec. 2017 and SECCRA 2017 DEC JAN FEB 2018

  Our science educators bring with them a strong background in curriculum and teaching. They bring back the wonder of science; the students hypothesize as they experiment and they learn! Students are given the skills they need for success in science and in other areas.

  • Our variety of lessons enables us to provide classroom teachers with many different science topics focusing on whatever needs to be introduced or reinforced.

  • We also provide instructional strategies (professional development) for classroom teachers as we lead the students through lessons and hands-on experiments.

  • We create an opportunity for all students to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they execute each experiment and are awed by the results.

• We also encourage STEM learning outside of the classroom by offering scholarship opportunities to elementary-aged students wishing to attend after-school science clubs or summer science camps but whose families cannot afford the cost

• We fund college scholarships to high school seniors planning to major in an area in the sciences at an accredited college or university and whose families cannot afford the cost.

Testimonials say it all!

We Need Your Help!

Your tax-deductible donation in any amount allows us to reach more deserving students.   Please click How to Support or go to Donate Now which is also at the top of this page.

Thank you to Our Current Supporters

– we couldn’t do this without you!

To all you shoppers!

 Shop, Save and Help the SPARKS Foundation inspire young minds through science! We’ve teamed up with  http://www.goodshop.com (Goodshop) to help you find the best discounts when online shopping. And the stores donate a percentage of  your purchase to us! Find out how to sign up, begin to save and raise $$ for our mission:  Goodsearch and Goodshop Information