Hands-on Learning
Sustainable education, in the classroom and beyond.
Spark-Y provides hands-on learning opportunities that engage young people in their own personal and professional development. Our model combines experiential agricultural systems, such as aquaponics, paired with concepts in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) to invite learning in a real-world, experiential setting.
We work with our partners to create maximum sustainable education engagement for youth, tailored to the interests of each learning community we serve. Our programming can range from high-impact workshops and afterschool programs to daily or weekly in-classroom programming.
“I absolutely loved working with all of the education facilitators I had the opportunity to work with and would do so again in a heartbeat.”
School partnership request form:
Interested in providing your school or organization with sustainable, hands-on education for youth? Fill out our partnership request form and we will gladly get in touch with you:
HANDS-ON LEARNING | FEATURED EXAMPLES
Edison High School - Public school partner, in-classroom daily and weekly programming.
Our partnership Edison High School serves over 250 students annually in sustainable education through programming in elective classes, work-based learning, and afterschool programming. Spark-Y customized programming to be woven into their Green Campus initiatives, such as garden-to-cafeteria, where youth earn credit while growing food for their school lunches. Spark-Y received an Environmental Initiatives Award for the success of this ongoing program.
Learn more about our work with Edison on their website, here.
Get On The Bus - Charter school partner, customized series of programming.
In response to the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, Spark-Y partnered with the African American Community Response Team (AACRT) to provide young people in North Minneapolis access to technology, a safe learning environment, and STEM activities on a double-decker bus. What began as a six-week summer program has continued through 2021 to provide ongoing education opportunities for youth.
Read about the launch of Get On The Bus here.
Credit Recovery - Public school partners, customized series of programming.
In partnership with two partners, Edison High School and Roosevelt High School, Spark-Y provides an opportunity for students who have fallen behind an opportunity to earn necessary credits in a nontraditional classroom setting. Students participate in “internship-style” classes that combines hands-on projects such as in-school aquaponics systems, school gardens, and sustainable projects with engaging curriculum that meets Minnesota State Standards. At this time, this program has been combined with work-based learning where students have the opportunity to earn income while earning school credits.
What's New in School Programs:
from the blog:
