SPARK!
What is SPARK?
SPARK is a lazy acronym designed to capture an exciting idea. SPARK is tailored learning. It's all about you.
SPARK stands for Special-interest Projects and REAL Konnections* (yeah, OK, so we 'kinda' cheated on the spelling of connections ... oh yeah, we also skipped the I in interest ... and REAL is actually an acronym within an acronym ... come to think of it, maybe it's not the best name in the world ... but trust us, what it lacks in elegance, we'll make up for in fun).
The key to SPARK lies in the first few words - special interest projects.
We've all been there - daydreaming in class, reading a book, watching a documentary, enjoying a holiday, sitting on the toilet - when bam, an idea hits us. We're inspired. We want to learn more about ... something. You share the idea with your teacher, but, well, sometimes that something that you want to know, just doesn't fit with what the group needs to know. So, what do you do? Just forget it? No way. SPARK to the rescue.
Doesn't sound like you? Never had lightning strike while on the Thomas Crapper? Worry not. You can find out more about Thomas and many others through SPARK too. SPARK isn't just designed to respond to your interests, it's designed to inspire interest. After all, we often don't know what we don't know.
Still not you? Just interested in learning more about the things you're covering in class? Love a challenge? Relax, SPARK has you covered too.
How?
Well, here's the short version: SPARK is being designed to help you create and explore new ideas that you may not otherwise be able to explore in class. It doesn't replace the important things you are learning in class, but we hope it will add to them in ways you find fun and rewarding. Whether you're interested in a bamboo craft, computer coding, photography, debating, gardening, history, competition mathematics or something completely new and different, we hope SPARK will get your curiosity and creativity flowing, and add just a little of something extra to your learning adventure.
To whet your appetite, here are a few project ideas currently being considered:
The Grey Area - Moral Dilemmas and fun conundrums
Get Gaming - An introduction to computer coding
Our Amazing World - A study of people, places, events and innovations that have changed the world
A Picture Paints 1000 words - A photography and writing challenge
Compassionate Debating - Learning to convince with facts and kindness
Practical Action - A design unit focusing on real-world community development challenges
I Love Maths - Competition Mathematics and super challenges
These are only the start. SPARK is new, and to make it fit your interests might a little time. We'd love your help. Please keep sharing your ideas with your teachers, or with us here via the 'Share' page. In the meantime, feel free to explore the SPARK pages here on Bamboo Learners.
Have fun!
SPARK is a lazy acronym designed to capture an exciting idea. SPARK is tailored learning. It's all about you.
SPARK stands for Special-interest Projects and REAL Konnections* (yeah, OK, so we 'kinda' cheated on the spelling of connections ... oh yeah, we also skipped the I in interest ... and REAL is actually an acronym within an acronym ... come to think of it, maybe it's not the best name in the world ... but trust us, what it lacks in elegance, we'll make up for in fun).
The key to SPARK lies in the first few words - special interest projects.
We've all been there - daydreaming in class, reading a book, watching a documentary, enjoying a holiday, sitting on the toilet - when bam, an idea hits us. We're inspired. We want to learn more about ... something. You share the idea with your teacher, but, well, sometimes that something that you want to know, just doesn't fit with what the group needs to know. So, what do you do? Just forget it? No way. SPARK to the rescue.
Doesn't sound like you? Never had lightning strike while on the Thomas Crapper? Worry not. You can find out more about Thomas and many others through SPARK too. SPARK isn't just designed to respond to your interests, it's designed to inspire interest. After all, we often don't know what we don't know.
Still not you? Just interested in learning more about the things you're covering in class? Love a challenge? Relax, SPARK has you covered too.
How?
Well, here's the short version: SPARK is being designed to help you create and explore new ideas that you may not otherwise be able to explore in class. It doesn't replace the important things you are learning in class, but we hope it will add to them in ways you find fun and rewarding. Whether you're interested in a bamboo craft, computer coding, photography, debating, gardening, history, competition mathematics or something completely new and different, we hope SPARK will get your curiosity and creativity flowing, and add just a little of something extra to your learning adventure.
To whet your appetite, here are a few project ideas currently being considered:
The Grey Area - Moral Dilemmas and fun conundrums
Get Gaming - An introduction to computer coding
Our Amazing World - A study of people, places, events and innovations that have changed the world
A Picture Paints 1000 words - A photography and writing challenge
Compassionate Debating - Learning to convince with facts and kindness
Practical Action - A design unit focusing on real-world community development challenges
I Love Maths - Competition Mathematics and super challenges
These are only the start. SPARK is new, and to make it fit your interests might a little time. We'd love your help. Please keep sharing your ideas with your teachers, or with us here via the 'Share' page. In the meantime, feel free to explore the SPARK pages here on Bamboo Learners.
Have fun!