Since its inception in 2021, the Spark Photonics Foundation has made significant strides in transforming STEM education across Massachusetts. Over the past three school years, the Foundation's flagship program, SparkAlpha, has seen remarkable growth, increasing from 8 iterations in its inaugural year (21-22) to an impressive 27 iterations in the current school year (23-24). Initially focused on high school students, the program has expanded its reach to include middle school and upper-elementary schools, catering to a diverse range of learners.
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As of January 2024, a total of 507 students have successfully completed the SparkAlpha program, gaining exposure to integrated photonics, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, quantum information systems, and entrepreneurship. The Foundation's commitment to innovation continues with the pilot of SparkBeta in 2023, poised to further impact and inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts through Python programming. With the introduction of the train-the-teacher model, SparkAlpha Explore, the Foundation is poised for dramatic growth, empowering educators to facilitate iterations year after year.
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