Persuaded by a friend in the Parkway School District, Anna McLaughlin, senior, decided to sign up for a hands-on learning experience that differs from the traditional school setting: the Spark! Program.
Spark! is a choice program in the Parkway School District that offers experiential, immersion-based learning to students in both the Parkway and Rockwood School Districts. It consists of eight different strands: bioscience, business incubator, digital media, engineering, pre-professional health sciences, sports medicine, teaching & learning and technology solutions.
“In each strand, students develop professional conduct, communication and problem-solving abilities, which they can apply both within their chosen field and in broader life contexts,” said Lindsey Perkins, director of Choice Programs in the Parkway School District.
Perkins said choice programs such as Spark! benefit students as they offer a more personalized learning experience than the conventional classroom setting.
“Depending on what your long-term goals are as a student, each [choice] program offers something unique to fit those needs,” Perkins said. “Spark! provides an opportunity to work alongside industry experts while test-driving the many facets of your potential career interests.”
McLaughlin is a member of the pre-professional health science strand, which involves job shadowing in actual hospitals and reporting on different hospital departments.
McLaughlin said she has always held an interest in healthcare and her experiences in Spark! helped “solidify” it as a future career choice.
“When I’m shadowing, I’m like, ‘oh, this is definitely what I want to do’,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said she would recommend the process to students who are trying to figure out their future careers.
“It just gives you great hands-on experience that you could probably not get in the classrooms, like workshops, internships, shadowing,” McLaughlin said.
Ryan Hancock, senior, is a first-year member of the business incubator strand and has always had an interest in business.
“When I heard about this class, that you start your own business, I thought it was pretty interesting,” Hancock said. “I was like, ‘oh, let me open my mind and figure out what I wanna do in college’.”
Hancock started his own business with two other MHS students in the program called The Jug, featuring a bucket-sized water holder with multiple spouts.
Hancock said what separates the Spark! program from the electives available at MHS is the ability to gain active, real-world experience.
“We actually go to networking events,” Hancock said. “I think I’ve been to five or six in the last six months, and I’ve met CEOs, construction workers, just all over.”
Hancock said the many connections he has fostered through the program are going to be helpful for his post-high school plans.
“Usually in a business degree, you have to get an internship in college,” Hancock said. “Having these past connections can really help you.”
Due to the support he has received in the program, Hancock said he is on his way to receiving a real estate license.
Hancock said he would recommend the program to incoming juniors and other underclassmen.
“It’s for sure something to look into,” Hancock said.
