Student Pathways to Access, Readiness, and Knowledge (SPARK)
SPARK in engineering is an immersive, Saturday-based engineering exploration program open to students across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. The program introduces participants to hands-on experiences in VEX robotics, coding, engineering fundamentals, and physics.
Running for 14 weeks during both the fall and spring semesters, SPARK delivers structured, age-appropriate sessions. Each session is led by experienced facilitators and supported by FIU student mentors who guide students through interactive engineering challenges, experimentation, and problem-solving activities.
Projects are inspired by the various engineering disciplines offered at FIU, including mechanical engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, and computer science.
Personalized Learning
The program is intentionally designed to ignite curiosity, inspire creativity, and build confidence—empowering students to explore STEM pathways early in their academic journey.
To ensure a personalized, community-of-practice environment, SPARK offers two focused tracks with a maximum of 20 students per group:
- SPARK Cubs for third to fifth grade
- SPARK Junior Panthers for sixth to eighth grade
Fall 2026 hours are 9 a.m. – noon on scheduled Saturdays. The registration fee is $498 per semester, with an option for a two-part payment plan.
Questions?
Have questions about CDSSEC programs, partnerships, or student opportunities?