SPARK - Course Details

SPARK - Science for Middle School

SPARK Course Details

SPARK courses expose students to the intellectual concepts and processes of science topics that are taught at Brown University. The courses are “inquiry-based” and “experiential”. The students basically conduct experiments, explore, and make their own discoveries. Inquiry-based instruction means that the students themselves – by asking appropriate questions – seek out knowledge, information, and scientific truth. This approach assures that the students gain a deep conceptual understanding of complex scientific phenomena. By exposing the students to this type of inquiry, they do not only learn how to think critically but also get a hands-on experience of how scientists conduct research. What is special about the SPARK program is that students learn science from the ground up by first focusing on the basics, and then building further knowledge until they reach a deep understanding of the more advanced concepts.

In addition to spending three hours per day in classes, students take part in extra-curricular activities where they interact with students from other courses. The extra-curricular activities include field trips, other more general science experiments, and lectures on diverse topics. In the evenings, they have some “down time” and participate in recreational activities like playing Laser Tag, bowling, rock climbing, and contributing to the ever so popular talent show.

All students who successfully complete their course will receive a course performance report and a certificate of completion.

Division into Junior and Senior SPARK Students

The SPARK program is for talented and intellectually curious middle school students. Typically the student’s ages range from 12 to 15 years old. We all know that there are some academic and developmental differences between our youngest and oldest participants. With this in mind, we have categorized the courses – we now offer courses specifically geared at students who have completed 6th and 7th grade (Junior SPARK students) and at students who have completed 8th grade (Senior SPARK students). We strongly recommend that students enroll in courses that are specifically designed for their appropriate academic level.

Junior SPARK Courses

Understanding the Human Body: An Exploration of Anatomy - Jr	July 8 - 12
Exploring the Planets and Moons of our Solar System	July 8 - 12
Conservation of Endangered Species	July 8 - 12
Bridging Land, Sea, and Space: Engineering Structures	July 8 - 12
Exploring the World of Marine Science	July 15 - 19
Alien Worlds: Search for Planets and Life Outside our Solar System	July 15 - 19
From Brain to Sensation: Neurobiology of Perception - Jr	July 15 - 19
Crystallography	July 15 - 19
RobotC: An Introduction to Programming using LEGO Robots	July 15 - 19
So You Want to Be a Scientist?	July 8 - 19

Senior SPARK Courses

From Brain to Sensation: Neurobiology of Perception - Sr	July 8 - 12
Everyday Mechanics & Special Relativity: From Newton to Einstein	July 8 - 12
The Physics of Sound and Music	July 8 - 12
Nanotechnology: From the Small Wonder to the Big Universe	July 8 - 12
Understanding the Human Body: An Exploration of Anatomy - Sr	July 15 - 19
Engineering Your Own Electronic and Mechanical Devices	July 15 - 19
Forensic Science: The Laboratory Detective	July 15 - 19
Electrochemistry	July 15 - 19
Aerospace Engineering & Rocket Science	July 8 - 19
DNA Science & Biotechnology	July 8 - 19

Students attending two courses are encouraged to read the note on Students Attending Back-to-Back SPARK Sessions.

Commuter students are advised to read this note on Commuter Students.