SPARK

SPARK Stars

Research shows that extensive follow-up support is critically important to produce lasting, environmental change. To facilitate this effort and make it site specific, "SPARK Stars" (formerly known at "SPARK Facilitators") are pre-identified among participating teachers and serve as SPARK liaisons.

When a SPARK training concludes, everyone leaves except the SPARK Stars and the site principals (note, for schools working towards the CDC model for Comprehensive School Health, SPARK encourages all Advisory Council members to attend the Star training). For an additional hour (the cost of this SPARK Star training is included in the program cost) SPARK presenters lead a separate, supplemental workshop focusing on what SPARK refers to as the Three I's . . .

Infrastructure: Equipment access and rotation for classes, scheduling of facilities and SPARK PE, admin. support for PE, etc.
Implementation: PE teachers resistant to change, students being pulled from PE for non-PE pursuits, large class sizes preventing certain activities from being taught effectively, etc.
Institutionalization: Replenishment of equipment, professional growth opportunities, SPARK Institutes and Train the Trainer model, support from peers and others for ongoing program analysis and improvement, etc.

During the SPARK Star training, each attendee receives a SPARK CD and folder of materials to assist them in their roles, as well as SPARK trinkets and gifts as thank you's.

SPARK has had two publications demonstrating strong institutionalization of program concepts and methods. Ask for a free reprint of our sustainability paper and insist on using programs that have been proven to work -- AND LAST!

SPARK Star Resources

Are you currently a SPARK Star? Available in the links below are useful resources to aid you in your duties as a SPARK Star.