FOSTERING CAREER EXPLORATION
Career Sparks connects students with career professionals in a fun virtual setting called Spark Encounters. Whether it be distance learning, a hybrid model or traditional classroom settings, Career Sparks meets students in their space.
Each month, 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
UNIVERSITY LIVE
- NOW AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND -
This Academic School Year, Sparklers were invited to hear from a variety of Career Heroes, including marine biologists, zookeepers, pilots, engineers (including Disney Imagineers) and most recently restaurant experts. To obtain these careers, Sparklers need to find a pathway to college. In this special, end of the Academic School Year Spark Encounter, Sparklers learned all about university life.
Students from University of California Southern California, Yale University and The University of Chicago gave Sparklers a virtual tour of their campus and shared insights into their experiences. If you missed this Spark Encounter, no worries, members can view the On-Demand recording NOW!
Visit us back here in September as we kick-off our 2022-2023 Academic School Year with Live Spark Encounter Programming.
Teachers and PTAs can now leave the planning to us. 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!
2022-2023 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR LIVE SPARK ENCOUNTER KICK-OFF
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2022 10AM (PT)
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LIVE SPARK ENCOUNTERS
-PROGRAM CALENDAR-
2021-2022 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR
ANIMAL CHAMPIONS #1
-September 22, 2021-
St. Louis Zoo
Field Biologist Keri Lammering
Nashville Zoo
Zookeepers Jason Faessler &
MJ Foletta
Fort Worth Zoo
Director of Education Billy Martin
ANIMAL CHAMPIONS #2
-October 20, 2021-
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Marine Biologist Higinio Covarrubias
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Marine Biologist Becky Ellsworth
AVIATION ADVENTURERS #1
-November 17, 2021-
163 Operations Support Squadron
Commander Jeff Shaw
Cal Fire
David Kelly
AVIATION ADVENTURERS #2
-January 26, 2022-
Southwest Airlines
First Officer Nikalos Bray
Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Program
Certified Flying Instructor Valerie Blome
INCREDIBLE ENGINEERS #1
-February 16, 2022-
Teq4
CEO Martin Howe, Imagery Creator of Disney's Millennium Falcon: Smuggler's Run & Rise of the Resistance Rides
INCREDIBLE ENGINEERS #2
-March 23, 2022-
Far Out Creative Direction
Rick Rothschild, Legendary Disney Imagineer, Created 25 Disney Attractions, Including Soarin' Over California
RESTAURANT MASTERS
-April 27, 2022-
FAT Brands
Taylor Fischer, Director of Marketing
James Newell, Director of Construction
Jennifer Bonilla, Director of Training
UNIVERSITY LIVE
-May 18, 2021-
University of Southern California (USC)
Student Tour Guides
Yale University
Candice Mulinda & Ananya Kachru, Student Tour Guide
University of Chicago
Marjorie Betley, Senior Associate Director of Admissions
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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