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
SPACE NAVIGATORS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
10:30AM PT
We're kicking off the 2023-2024 Academic School Year with an out of this world experience! Students (AKA "Sparklers") will meet NASA Astronaut Mary Cleave, who flew twice on Space Shuttle Atlantis as a Mission Specialist where she operated the robot arm on the space shuttle and deployed the Magellan spacecraft, which went on to study Venus. Mary will share her space journey with our Sparklers and explain how it felt to be launched into space and experience zero gravity.
Watch NASA Astronaut Mary Cleave in action during her space mission on the Atlantis...just click here!
Sparklers will also meet Dominique Butler, NASA Solar System Ambassador, a pioneer leading the way for students to learn more about Space Science, including Astronomy, Planetary Science & Space Communications.
Lastly, we'll hear from Danny Marchant coming to us from the University of Southern California (USC) Department of Astronautical Engineering - USC Rocket Propulsion Lab as he shares his love for engineering.
Learn about the education, training and skills all our Space Navigators have mastered. Sparklers are invited to ask questions directly to our Space Navigators during this special Spark Encounter.
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!
SPACE NAVIGATORS - 2023-2024 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR KICK-OFF
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 10:30 AM (PT)
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LIVE SPARK ENCOUNTERS
-PROGRAM CALENDAR-
2023 - 2024 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR
SPACE NAVIGATORS
-September 27, 2023-
We're kicking off the 2023-2024 Academic School Year with Space Navigators, featuring Astronaut Mary Cleave, who flew twice on Space Shuttle Atlantis as a Mission Specialist, where she operated the robot arm on the space shuttle and deployed the Magellan spacecraft, which went on to study Venus. She'll be joined by NASA Solar System Ambassador Dominique Butler and Danny Marchant from USC's Rocket Propulsion Lab.
VIDEO GAME GREATS
-November 29, 2023-
Join innovative leaders within the video game industry that have used their education, training and skills set to build careers in one of the world's most popular entertainment activities. You'll meet the Senior Designer for Fortnite who specifically oversaw the creative direction for Battle Royale and the Principal Narrative Writer for Riot Games who developed story lines for League of Legends.
THEME PARK DREAMERS
-January 31, 2024-
In this special Spark Encounter, you'll meet Rick Rothschild, a legendary Disney Imagineer who led the creation of over 25 Disney attractions, including Soarin' Over California, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and was the Creative Executive behind Disney's California Adventure Theme Park. You'll also meet Martin Howe, CEO of Teq4, a United Kingdom 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.
MEDICAL MARVELS
-March 27, 2024-
We're celebrating women in medicine this month by bringing 3 powerful doctors from Harbor UCLA Medical Center to Career Sparks. Sparklers will learn about the extensive training and on-going education these medical professionals experience to deliver excellent health care to our communities. Sparklers will learn about the incredible job tasks these Medical Marvels complete each day, including SAVING LIVES!
UNIVERSITY LIVE
-May 29, 2024-
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 go on virtual tours with students who actually attend these universities!
- 2022-2023 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR -
- 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!
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!
TEACHER
Bring career heroes virtually into your classroom with consistent, turnkey programming, customizable for small groups or full-class participation.
TITLE 1 SCHOOL TEACHER
Teachers coming from Title 1 Schools receive a 50% Off Savings! Bring Career Heroes into your classroom today!
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP
Sign up multiple teachers so your whole school hears from our Career Heroes as they share their awesome careers and journeys.
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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