FOSTERING CAREER EXPLORATION
Career Sparks connects students with career professionals in a fun virtual setting called Spark Encounters.
Teachers and students from all across the nation join in to hear from career heroes like astronauts, doctors, and artists as they share their inspiring stories and educational journeys. Can't make the Live Spark Encounter? No worries! On-Demand Spark Encounters are available 24/7 on your schedule!
""Are there lessons or solutions in video games?""
Sparkler Student Question, 2nd grade
Answered by Graham McNeill, Principal Narrative Writer at Riot Games
"What advice would you give your students when they experience hardship in something they love doing?"
Sparkler Teacher Question, 3rd grade
Answered by Simon T. Bailey, First African American Director of Sales for the Disney Institute
"Who inspired you to do your job and do you travel around the world?"
Sparkler Student Question, 3rd grade
Answered by Norma Rener, Brand Executive and Fashion Powerhouse for the Jessica Simpson Brand
"From the time you create your characters, how long does it take to animate them?"
Sparkler Student Question, 4th grade
Answered by Patrick Murphy, Art Director of Fortnite at Epic Games
"I tried introducing my kids to biographies of inventors and thinkers in hopes of planting seeds, but sadly, these books remained shelved. Two sessions of Career Sparks and my son is talking nonstop about how this person did this and this person thought that. It makes a huge difference to actually hear in person (virtually) at this age. Also, the access my son is able to have to people he would otherwise not be able to meet is truly brilliant. "
Parent Kateri Wang
Mom to 3rd grader and 6th grader
CAREER SPARKS IS IN THE NEWS!
Students, teachers and supporters across the country are becoming Sparklers! Check out what the buzz is all about and why educators are bringing Virtual Career Days to their classrooms.
VIEW STORY
THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING
ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR!
JOIN US FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR KICK-OFF
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
10:30AM (PT)
During the 2023-2024 Academic School Year, Sparklers were invited to hear from a variety of Career Heroes, including a firefighter from NYFD, EMT from UCLA, Coast Guard Helicopter Diver from California, military pilots from Joint Base Andrews, CAL Fire Pilot, Pilot Instructor from Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Program, Space Science Communicator from NASA, CEO of Teq4 that led the imagery for Disney's Star Wars Galaxy Edge rides, NY Times Best Selling Author and a Hollywood Screenwriter.
We wrapped up the school year with student speakers from University of Southern California and Yale University. These amazing speakers gave Sparklers a virtual tour of their campus and shared insights into their experiences.
Join us for the 2023 - 2024 Academic School Year Kick-Off on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 10:30am PT.
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Teachers and PTAs can now leave the Career Day planning to us with live virtual programming throughout the school year. Each Spark Encounter is supported with custom lesson plans, packed with grade level activities, so teachers can focus on...teaching. Sign up for our FREE 14 day trial by clicking below or if you're already a member, get your class ready today!
2023-2024 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR KICK-OFF
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 10:30 AM (PT)
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LIVE SPARK ENCOUNTERS
-PROGRAM CALENDAR-
2022 - 2023 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR
SAFETY SUPERHEROES
-September 28, 2022-
We're kicking off the 2022-2023 Academic School Year with Safety Superheroes, featuring a NY Firefighter, courageous EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and member of the Coast Guard. These Career Heroes help keep our communities safe and you'll get to meet and ask them curious questions.
POWERFUL PILOTS
-November 30, 2022-
Watch out Maverick, Career Sparks is bringing a group of amazing pilots to our program calendar. Sparklers will meet Military Pilots from the United States Air Force Joint Base Andrews, a Cal Fire Pilot and a Pilot Instructor from Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Program.
STEM STARS
-January 25, 2023-
This crazy popular program will feature speakers from STEM related careers, including the CEO of a theme park engineering company that created the imagery for Disney's Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance rides for Disney's Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. We'll also hear from a Space Science Communicator from NASA.
WONDERFUL WRITERS
-March 29, 2023-
Sparklers will have the chance to meet and interact with incredibly talented writers, including a New York Times Best Selling Author and Narrative Writer who gets to create the stories behind world renowned video games. You'll also meet an interact with a Screenwriter who brings life to Hollywood movies!
UNIVERSITY LIVE
-May 31, 2023-
Throughout the school year you're going to hear about amazing careers, but to obtain these careers you need to learn about college. During this Special Spark Encounter you'll have a chance to hear from Yale University and USC and and go on virtual tours with students who actually attend these universities!
PAST PROGRAM CALENDARS
- 2021-2022 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR -
- 2020-2021 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR -
SEE A SPARK ENCOUNTER IN ACTION
NOW AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND
Get a sneak-peek into past Spark Encounters and learn what Career Sparks is all about.
Just click below! If you like what you see, sign up for our FREE 14 day trial.
GAMING GIANTS
CAREERS: ART DIRECTOR, WRITER
Innovative video game leaders Patrick Murphy - Art Director for Epic Games (Fortnite Battle Royale) and Graham McNeill - Principal Narrative Writer for Riot Games shared their interests, passions and journeys within one of the world's most popular entertainment activities.
BUSINESS INNOVATORS
CAREER: BRAND MANAGER
Featuring two brand thought leaders Simon T. Bailey, the first African American Director of Sales for the Disney Institute, and Norma Rener, brand executive and fashion powerhouse for the Jessica Simpson brand. You'll learn what it takes to develop, build, and manage brands that are known world-wide.
SPORTS SUPERSTARS
CAREER: SPORTS COMMENTATOR
Professional athletes make sports look easy, like Miami Marlin Matt Joyce and Dodger Legend Ron Cey who share their experiences and journeys through MLB. Lea B. Olsen, an athlete herself will also share what it's like to be a professional sports commentator for FOX Sports and the excitement she gets from interviewing sports stars like Steph Currry!
TV TITANS
CAREER: ACTOR
When the camera is on, TV Titans perform at their very best! During this Spark Encounter you'll learn just what it takes to bring a character to life by the amazing art of acting. Don't miss this opportunity to learn all about being an actor for the iconic studio Disney and what it feels like to have fans world-wide!
SPACE SUPERHEROES
CAREER: SPACE SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR, ASTRONAUT
NASA Solar System Ambassador Dominique Butler shares her love for Space Science, including Astronomy and Planetary Science as a Space Science Communicator. NASA Astronaut Mary Cleave, who flew twice on the Space Shuttle Atlantis speaks to students about her space journey, including how it felt to be launched into space and experience zero gravity.
MEDICAL WARRIORS (PART 1)
CAREERS: SPORTS MEDICINE DR., DENTIST, NURSE
Medical Warriors Dr. Dennis Borna, a Sports Medicine Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Ryan Grier a Surgical Dentist and Tammy Murray a Nurse Practitioner both from Harbor UCLA Medical Center describe the amazing field of medicine. Learn about the long road it takes to become a medical professional.
MEDICAL WARRIORS (PART 2)
CAREERS: SURGEON, SPORTS MEDICINE DOCTOR
Dr. Christine Dauphine, Dr. Beverly Petrie and Dr. Gloria Sanchez from Harbor UCLA Medical Center are all accomplished doctors. Their passion to teach and train young doctors in communities that need it most make them our Career Heroes! Learn more about these amazing women in this Spark Encounter.
COMMUNITY HEROES
CAREER: FIREFIGHTERS
Officer Paul Cerda from the National Parks Services shares his commitment to keeping our National Parks safe. Officers Tran and Harrison from the Houston Fire Department give a tour of their fire station and Captain Michael Kozo from the New York Fire Department shares his journey of becoming a leader within a world-renowned fire department.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
Check out this step-by-step guide on how to participate in a Live Spark Encounter.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY OF SPARKLERS!
STUDENT
Have the flexibility to connect individually on your own schedule...at home, with friends or on the go. You decide when and where!
TEACHER
Bring career heroes virtually into your classroom with consistent, turnkey programming, customizable for small groups or full-class participation.
YOUTH ORGANIZATION
Build career aspirations within your organization by giving your group the opportunity to connect with career professionals.
SPARKLER SUPPORTER
Be the spark in young lives by helping students explore their futures! Contribute to building community.
JOIN NOW & ENJOY A FREE 14 DAY TRIAL
Get full access to Live and On-Demand Spark Encounters, as well as grade level Resources...now!
You may cancel your trial at any time.
"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows"
- Sydney J. Harris
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