Hands-On Learning
About Spark
Spark is a Connected Lane County program bringing community, education, and industry together.
We inspire youth through innovation, education, and hands-on learning.
Experiences for Youth
The goal of our Spark program is to provide youth with a safe place to learn, innovate, collaborate, and create through out-of-school training opportunities. Spark helps youth grow their skills, become confident problem-solvers, and gain hands-on experiences. Current Spark experiences include Invention Lab, Invention Club, and the Agency.
Invention Lab is a four-week, paid summer experience for high school youth historically underrepresented in STEM fields. Youth learn the invention process, build technical skills, and gain experience in human-centered design. Invention Lab aims to address the STEM equity gap and empower generations of creators, inventors, and leaders to address complex issues.
The Agency is a paid work experience for previous Invention Lab participants and summer interns. Agency youth complete projects submitted by local organizations. The Agency has completed projects for the ABAE, the City of Eugene, the Eugene Education Foundation, Eugene Symphony, EWEB, Food for Lane County, Microsoft MakeCode, and Threadbare Print House.
Invention Club is an after-school experience empowering youth to become inventors and create solutions for the community. Participants meet weekly to learn and apply skills like human-centered design and rapid prototyping to their creations. At the end of the year, teams enter the Oregon MESA Day competition hosted at Portland State University.
Spark Locations
Spark locations provide youth with safe places to learn, innovate, collaborate, and create through paid, out-of-school training opportunities. Spark helps youth grow their skills, become confident problem-solvers, and gain hands-on experiences.
Spark on 7th
Spark on 7th opened at 22 W 7th Ave. in Eugene, Oregon in June 2021 as a central youth innovation hub for Lane County youth. As a youth-focused space, youth from our programs originally helped to create the branding for Spark on 7th, painted murals, and built picnic tables for the outdoor area.
Spark at Booth-Kelly
Spark at Booth-Kelly opened in the Booth-Kelly Center in Springfield, Oregon, in June 2023.
Community Use of Spark Locations
Our fee-for-service offerings include no-school day workshops, birthday party rentals, and private events. Any income generated from these fee-for-service offerings is reinvested into our programs to help us serve those who need our programs most.
Private Events & Corporate Team-Building Workshops: Host your next team-building event or meeting at Spark on 7th! Group events are limited to 50 people. Pricing starts at $500.
School Field Trips: Schools can schedule field trips for their students to experience Spark on 7th, enjoy a hands-on activity, and learn. Field trips are limited to 30 youth. Contact us to learn more!
No-School Day Workshops: Workshops are scheduled on no-school days as a child-care alternative for Middle and High school-aged youth. Pricing starts at $45 per youth. Check our calendar for upcoming events.
Submit an Inquiry
Industry Informed
Our industry partners help to prepare youth for life after high school by outfitting our Spark program with industry-standard tools and equipment, providing mentors, hosting summer interns, and so much more!
Every month, you'll receive updates about events, opportunities for youth, and ways you can partner with us.
Interested in sponsoring this program? Contact us at [email protected].
Would you like to contribute to helping us grow our Spark program? Donate Today!