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City of Minneapolis
In partnership with the City of Minneapolis and the Lyndale neighborhood, Spark-Y recently planted the Blaisdell Avenue South bike lane medians with over 2000 native plants. Black-eyed Susan, Fragrant Giant Hyssop, Little Bluestem, Fox Sedge, Golden Alexander, Blue Flag Irises, and Lobelia now grace what was once a bare patch, filled with weeds.
The past year has been one of navigating unknowns and growth for us at Spark-Y -- as it has been for many others. While the school year had a handful more Zoom calls than we had anticipated, we were able to pivot our programs and still reach 2,000 youth across all our programs throughout the school year. We are so proud of how we have grown as an organization, which is a testament to our amazing and dedicated staff. As we now gear up for summer programming we want to give some highlights of what we have done so far as well as what’s to come.
Spark-Y was featured in KARE 11 for our work with the City of Minneapolis creating a Rain Garden
At the end of May, we brought together around 100 youth and community members to transform the drainage basin next to Edison High School into a rain garden. We were offered the opportunity to take over this project by the City of Minneapolis and partnered with Great River Greening along the way, who really helped us make this project a reality. The goal of this project was to not only offer a paid, hands-on educational experience for the youth who participated but to continue involving the nearby community for the years ahead and continue a pipeline for youth to enter the workforce. Watch Kare 11's Belinda Jensen Interview our executive director, Zach Robinson and Great River Greening's Executive Director, Keith Parker on the significance and impact of the project.
Interns maintaining the rain garden at the Holland Basin site.
Mobile Innovation Lab
We have partnered with the Northside STEM district to facilitate the curriculum for The Mobile Innovation Lab aka “The BEAST” for 4 sessions throughout the summer. The BEAST is a mobile bus that innovates STEM educational experiences in North Minneapolis and beyond. By providing an accessible opportunity for youth to engage with hands-on STEM education, programming for “The Beast” centers around the principles of Maker Education and creates “sandbox experiences” where creativity and innovation come effortlessly, and there is ample opportunity for mastery and exploration. Students have the opportunity to engage with many different activity stations while on The BEAST ranging from 3D printing to electronics & circuitry.
Annual Spark-Y Internship
Our Annual Spark-Y Internship just kicked off! This internship gives youth the opportunity to develop personal and professional skills with a focus on sustainability and entrepreneurship. Upon completing the program students will have had a variety of real life experiences that will help strengthen their resumes and expand their understanding of what it means to be an urban steward for sustainability. The projects in this internship focus on annual and perennial plant care, vegetable production, community engagement, aquaponics, fish and plant care, restoration, and beautification of urban areas.
Interns providing garden maintenance at a partner school, Friendship Academy.
Internship Open House
Join us for our internship open house on August 5th at 5pm! This will take place at our headquarters 681 17th Ave NE Unit 101, Minneapolis, MN.
