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Experience the Wonder of Science in Your Classroom

Classroom Visitation

Our Hands-On STEM Classroom Visitation Program
The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation enters its 20th year, providing our unique experiential STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Classroom Visitation Program to elementary schools. This program has been recognized as an outstanding educational opportunity for students by educators in many counties in PA, NJ as well as other states. The hour-long program of lessons, coupled with experiments, covers topics that address educational standards in science for the grade level and essentially turns each classroom into a science lab. The incredible benefit of hands-on learning is that it ‘works’ for all types of learners, even those whose native language is not English.
Why Support Our Classroom Visitation Program?

When you support this program, you are equipping a student with the tools for a better future. Studies show that the number of jobs in the STEM category is growing faster than companies can fill the positions. If we can “hook” a young student on STEM in their early years, we increase their chances of sticking with STEM subjects, acquiring critical thinking skills, and improving their chances for well-paying and personally satisfying jobs when they reach their adult years.

S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation
S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation
How Do STEM Classroom Visits Work?
Our team of professional educators meets with individual classrooms in one or more grades to take them through the scientific method, guide students through a lesson, and finish with an eye-popping experiment or two. These young scientists participate in hypotheses and experiments which teach about a specific branch of science, from chemistry to electricity to marine biology to astronomy and more. As each classroom is turned into a lab, with the kids dressed in lab coats, safety goggles, and gloves, these classroom sessions present science in a way most of the students haven’t seen before. As students follow the scientific method, they are guided through the steps of their hypotheses, then discussion, then experiments, and then a wrap-up of final results. And the excitement and fun is palpable!
Building The Scientific Mindset

An important component of the program from The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation is allowing students to guess (hypothesize) the end result of an experiment and to learn that, in the science world, it’s alright to be wrong (at least at first). Students learn that many of the important scientific discoveries have come after many failures, followed by the scientist or researcher trying again. We, therefore, make time during each session for students to ask questions, compare hypotheses, and wonder at the results of their experiment. There is also a take-home component (one of their experiments) to the lesson for all students.

Learning Beyond The Classroom
The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation provides all supplies, instructors, curriculum, safety and clean-up materials as well as a “Parent Page” for each child to take home and share with their families. The “Parent Page” explains what the student learned in the lesson and defines some of the vocabulary used as well as the concepts taught. It also provides links and other suggestions for extended learning opportunities which parents or guardians can do with their child. The S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation strongly believes that learning doesn’t end in the classroom and encourages these fun, educational activities to continue at home.
Our Goal For Classroom Visitation

Students will remember their experience for a long time, and it’s hoped that the exposure to the amazing side of science will encourage them to pursue STEM learning and possibly choose a STEM career later in life. These innovative, hands-on programs excite students and bring the world of science alive. Boosting interest and knowledge in the area of science is critical in today’s world, and there is no more fun way to do it than to directly engage students in hands-on activities.

S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation

S.P.A.R.K.S. = Supporting Progress in Academic Readiness & Knowledge in S.T.E.M.

Providing interactive, hands-on learning opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math that extend and enhance the traditional elementary science curriculum.

S.P.A.R.K.S. Foundation

Address

1290 Broadcasting Rd, Suite 121, Wyomissing PA 19610

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