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SPARC

Each Wednesday, students engage in a connection project of their choice, aligned with their passions. They work in multi-grade groups, forming authentic partnerships with community organizations and leaders. Together, they tackle issues, create solutions, and take action to drive positive change in the community.

SPARC experiences ignite curiosity and empathy in students. Students develop essential skills and knowledge while working with community partners to effect change in society. Through these projects, students are empowered to find their own sense of purpose, in line with the enduring principles of our Quaker values.

For more information contact Julie Clement, Director of Middle School at jclement@pickeringcollege.on.ca


 

Program Components:

  • Community Partnerships
  • Multi-Grade Collaboration
  • Innovation Mindset
  • Student Agency and Leadership
  • Interdisciplinary
  • Project-Based

SPARC learning is:

  • Personalized
  • Experiential
  • Mastery-Focused
  • Community-Changing
student with dirty hands smiling

 

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Technology: Robotics & Coding

  • Use the transformational technology of robotics and coding to design and build video games for seniors that support their cognitive health and social interactions.

Social Justice & Advocacy

  • Explore the power of the arts and literacy as tools for social advocacy. Then, create graphic novels that raise awareness and foster understanding of housing and homelessness issues.

Identity & Community

  • Explore how community and culture shape who we are and the spaces in which we live, through creating a historical tour of the Town of Newmarket.

Environmental Stewardship

  • Use the Blue & Silver Farm and greenhouse to develop strategies for sustainability and food cultivation, targeting hunger reduction in collaboration with local organizations.

Designing for Now and the Future

  • Master the design-thinking process to create innovative solutions and build products that help launch a new service-animal organization.

 

SPARC Days

The daily schedule of SPARC allows for creative innovation and student engagement within meaningful projects in real life context.

The day includes:

  • Impactful experiential SPARC time
  • Flex time for individualized support
  • Physical activity and wellness

This learning structure allows for greater collaboration, connection to the community and opportunities to create meaningful, real-world solutions for community partners.

SPARC projects go above and beyond Ministry curriculum in all subjects including math, science, language arts and social studies.

kids around robot

 

Students looking in a camera with teacher

SPARC ... in the news

Student Projects Advancing Real Change (SPARC) gives students the opportunity to pursue their passions, learn new skills, and make a difference in our community.

Read more in The Pillars magazine