FAQ:
FAQ:
1. **What is the SparkLab curriculum?**
1. **What is the SparkLab curriculum?**
The SparkLab program is built around the North Carolina Computer Science standards and includes a diverse range of learning experiences across eight high-tech areas: Artificial Intelligence, Game Development & Design, Computer Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, UX/UI Design, Software Development, and Exploring Tech Fields. Students choose units based on their interests and complete them at their own pace. If a student completes all available units in an area they are passionate about, they can propose a "passion project"—an independent study for deeper exploration and advanced learning in that field.
The SparkLab program is built around the North Carolina Computer Science standards and includes a diverse range of learning experiences across eight high-tech areas: Artificial Intelligence, Game Development & Design, Computer Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, UX/UI Design, Software Development, and Exploring Tech Fields. Students choose units based on their interests and complete them at their own pace. If a student completes all available units in an area they are passionate about, they can propose a "passion project"—an independent study for deeper exploration and advanced learning in that field.
2. **How many units does my child need to complete, and is there a timeline?**
2. **How many units does my child need to complete, and is there a timeline?**
Students must complete six units of their choice from over 60 available options, along with an Orientation Unit and a Capstone Project. There is no mandatory timeline for completion; students can work at their own pace, allowing them to manage their learning schedule flexibly.
Students must complete six units of their choice from over 60 available options, along with an Orientation Unit and a Capstone Project. There is no mandatory timeline for completion; students can work at their own pace, allowing them to manage their learning schedule flexibly.
3. **How does my child sign up for the Spark NC program at Seaforth?**
3. **How does my child sign up for the Spark NC program at Seaforth?**
Students at Seaforth do not need to register separately for the Spark NC program. Instead, they sign up for their chosen activities, including SparkLab, during their homeroom time as part of the "Surge Time" schedule.
Students at Seaforth do not need to register separately for the Spark NC program. Instead, they sign up for their chosen activities, including SparkLab, during their homeroom time as part of the "Surge Time" schedule.
4. **Are the units self-taught, and what if my child has questions?**
4. **Are the units self-taught, and what if my child has questions?**
Yes, the units are self-directed and can be completed at each student's own pace. I am available as a facilitator to guide students, answer their questions, and provide resources. Students will also have opportunities to work independently, in groups, or collaborate with SparkLab participants from other districts and industry professionals.
Yes, the units are self-directed and can be completed at each student's own pace. I am available as a facilitator to guide students, answer their questions, and provide resources. Students will also have opportunities to work independently, in groups, or collaborate with SparkLab participants from other districts and industry professionals.
5. **Where do the lab activities take place, and how often do they occur?**
5. **Where do the lab activities take place, and how often do they occur?**
Lab activities and special events occur at Seaforth High School during "Surge Time," a 45-minute period for clubs or remediation that students sign up for during homeroom. Special lab activities will be available on a rotating basis and listed on the SparkLab website calendar.
Lab activities and special events occur at Seaforth High School during "Surge Time," a 45-minute period for clubs or remediation that students sign up for during homeroom. Special lab activities will be available on a rotating basis and listed on the SparkLab website calendar.
6. **Will my child have access to new computers with advanced processing capabilities outside of labs or special events?**
6. **Will my child have access to new computers with advanced processing capabilities outside of labs or special events?**
Students will have access to high-performance computers during lab activities and special events. After-school access may also be available at either the Seaforth or Siler City (Center for Innovation) locations, depending on scheduling and availability.
Students will have access to high-performance computers during lab activities and special events. After-school access may also be available at either the Seaforth or Siler City (Center for Innovation) locations, depending on scheduling and availability.
7. **Is this program specific to Chatham County, or is it part of a larger state-wide initiative?**
7. **Is this program specific to Chatham County, or is it part of a larger state-wide initiative?**
The SparkLab program was created by SparkNC and is now in its second year as part of a pilot initiative in Chatham County. It is also part of a larger state-wide effort involving 17 programs to provide innovative, high-tech learning experiences throughout North Carolina.
The SparkLab program was created by SparkNC and is now in its second year as part of a pilot initiative in Chatham County. It is also part of a larger state-wide effort involving 17 programs to provide innovative, high-tech learning experiences throughout North Carolina.
8. **What is SparkNC?**
8. **What is SparkNC?**
SparkNC is a transformative initiative designed to accelerate student progress toward careers in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, esports, game development, computer systems engineering, and cybersecurity. The vision of SparkNC is to expand throughout North Carolina, offering high-quality, industry-relevant learning opportunities to all students. SparkNC is funded by an appropriation of federal ESSER funds from the General Assembly of North Carolina.
SparkNC is a transformative initiative designed to accelerate student progress toward careers in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, esports, game development, computer systems engineering, and cybersecurity. The vision of SparkNC is to expand throughout North Carolina, offering high-quality, industry-relevant learning opportunities to all students. SparkNC is funded by an appropriation of federal ESSER funds from the General Assembly of North Carolina.
9. **What values guide SparkNC and the SparkLab program?**
9. **What values guide SparkNC and the SparkLab program?**
SparkNC and SparkLab are guided by five core values:
SparkNC and SparkLab are guided by five core values:
**Learner Agency**: Providing students with choices in their learning pathways and a strong voice in program design.
**Learner Agency**: Providing students with choices in their learning pathways and a strong voice in program design.
**Equity**: Ensuring all students, including those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and historically underrepresented in technology, have access to opportunities.
**Equity**: Ensuring all students, including those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and historically underrepresented in technology, have access to opportunities.
**Relevance**: Offering industry-relevant, real-world challenges and problem-based learning.
**Relevance**: Offering industry-relevant, real-world challenges and problem-based learning.
**Connection**: Supporting students with guidance from knowledgeable, caring adults and tools to navigate their pathways effectively.
**Connection**: Supporting students with guidance from knowledgeable, caring adults and tools to navigate their pathways effectively.
**Transformation**: Informing leaders on how to redesign educational systems, foster interdistrict collaboration, and promote competency-based learning.
**Transformation**: Informing leaders on how to redesign educational systems, foster interdistrict collaboration, and promote competency-based learning.
10. **What types of projects or activities will my child be doing in SparkLab?**
10. **What types of projects or activities will my child be doing in SparkLab?**
Students will engage in a variety of activities, from independent research and hands-on projects to group collaborations with peers and industry professionals. They can explore topics like artificial intelligence, game development, cybersecurity, and more. The program encourages creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills.
Students will engage in a variety of activities, from independent research and hands-on projects to group collaborations with peers and industry professionals. They can explore topics like artificial intelligence, game development, cybersecurity, and more. The program encourages creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills.
11. **How does the SparkLab program benefit my child’s future education and career opportunities?**
11. **How does the SparkLab program benefit my child’s future education and career opportunities?**
SparkLab provides students with exposure to high-tech fields and hands-on experiences that align with industry standards. The program includes numerous networking opportunities, allowing students to make valuable contacts in the tech industry. We will also help students create a LinkedIn or similar professional profile and guide them on how to use it effectively to build their professional network.
SparkLab provides students with exposure to high-tech fields and hands-on experiences that align with industry standards. The program includes numerous networking opportunities, allowing students to make valuable contacts in the tech industry. We will also help students create a LinkedIn or similar professional profile and guide them on how to use it effectively to build their professional network.
Additionally, the capstone project is an excellent asset for college and job applications. It highlights a student's capabilities, metacognition, and essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and adaptability—qualities that are highly sought after by employers.
Additionally, the capstone project is an excellent asset for college and job applications. It highlights a student's capabilities, metacognition, and essential 21st-century skills such as collaboration, critical thinking, communication, creativity, and adaptability—qualities that are highly sought after by employers.
12. **What support is available for students who may struggle with self-directed learning?**
12. **What support is available for students who may struggle with self-directed learning?**
While SparkLab is designed to encourage self-directed learning, support is always available. As the facilitator, I guide students through their learning, offer feedback, and provide resources or additional instruction as needed. Students can also collaborate with peers and connect with mentors in the industry.
While SparkLab is designed to encourage self-directed learning, support is always available. As the facilitator, I guide students through their learning, offer feedback, and provide resources or additional instruction as needed. Students can also collaborate with peers and connect with mentors in the industry.
13. **Can my child participate in SparkLab activities if they are involved in other extracurriculars?**
13. **Can my child participate in SparkLab activities if they are involved in other extracurriculars?**
Yes, SparkLab is designed to be flexible and can fit around other extracurricular commitments. Students sign up for activities during their designated "Surge Time," allowing them to participate without conflicting with other after-school programs or sports.
Yes, SparkLab is designed to be flexible and can fit around other extracurricular commitments. Students sign up for activities during their designated "Surge Time," allowing them to participate without conflicting with other after-school programs or sports.
14. **How can I stay informed about my child’s progress in the program?**
14. **How can I stay informed about my child’s progress in the program?**
You can stay updated on your child’s progress through regular communication with me and by checking the SparkLab website for updates on completed units, upcoming events, and other relevant information. Additionally, I encourage parents to attend any open houses or parent information sessions.
You can stay updated on your child’s progress through regular communication with me and by checking the SparkLab website for updates on completed units, upcoming events, and other relevant information. Additionally, I encourage parents to attend any open houses or parent information sessions.
15. **What is the difference between SparkLab and a traditional classroom?**
15. **What is the difference between SparkLab and a traditional classroom?**
SparkLab emphasizes student agency and real-world application. Unlike a traditional classroom where instruction is teacher-led, SparkLab allows students to explore topics of their interest, choose their learning paths, and work on hands-on projects in a more dynamic, flexible environment.
SparkLab emphasizes student agency and real-world application. Unlike a traditional classroom where instruction is teacher-led, SparkLab allows students to explore topics of their interest, choose their learning paths, and work on hands-on projects in a more dynamic, flexible environment.
16. **Will there be any costs associated with participating in SparkLab?**
16. **Will there be any costs associated with participating in SparkLab?**
There are no additional costs to participate in SparkLab. All necessary materials and access to technology will be provided. However, there may be optional field trips or events that could have associated costs, but these will be communicated in advance.
There are no additional costs to participate in SparkLab. All necessary materials and access to technology will be provided. However, there may be optional field trips or events that could have associated costs, but these will be communicated in advance.
17. **What kinds of field trips or special activities are available through SparkLab?**
17. **What kinds of field trips or special activities are available through SparkLab?**
SparkLab offers a range of exciting field trips and special activities to enhance student learning. Last year, students visited the UNCG esports arena, where they learned from esports professors and undergraduate students. We also attended the Ethics and Leadership Conference at the NC School of Science and Math. Our Summer Tech Intern program provided opportunities for students to work on real-life challenges with high-tech businesses like Wolfspeed. Additionally, we organized tours of major tech companies, such as Cisco and Lenovo, to give students firsthand insight into the tech industry.
SparkLab offers a range of exciting field trips and special activities to enhance student learning. Last year, students visited the UNCG esports arena, where they learned from esports professors and undergraduate students. We also attended the Ethics and Leadership Conference at the NC School of Science and Math. Our Summer Tech Intern program provided opportunities for students to work on real-life challenges with high-tech businesses like Wolfspeed. Additionally, we organized tours of major tech companies, such as Cisco and Lenovo, to give students firsthand insight into the tech industry.
18. **What types of guest speakers do you have in SparkLab?**
18. **What types of guest speakers do you have in SparkLab?**
We invite a wide range of guest speakers to share their experiences and insights with our students. Past speakers have included NATO engineers, cybersecurity entrepreneurs, and professionals from the gaming industry. Our speakers come from diverse backgrounds and often have nontraditional career pathways, demonstrating that there are many ways to succeed in high-tech fields.
We invite a wide range of guest speakers to share their experiences and insights with our students. Past speakers have included NATO engineers, cybersecurity entrepreneurs, and professionals from the gaming industry. Our speakers come from diverse backgrounds and often have nontraditional career pathways, demonstrating that there are many ways to succeed in high-tech fields.
**Have More Questions?**
**Have More Questions?**
If you have more questions or topics you'd like to see covered in our FAQ, please feel free to share them with us! Click here to fill out a form where you can submit your questions for consideration. We’re always looking to provide the most helpful information to our community!
If you have more questions or topics you'd like to see covered in our FAQ, please feel free to share them with us! Click here to fill out a form where you can submit your questions for consideration. We’re always looking to provide the most helpful information to our community!