The World's Most Evidence-Based Physical Education and Activity Programs

SPARK seeks to make your experience terrific. Whether a large project or small, SPARK’s goal is to exceed expectations by providing effective resources, extensive support, and outstanding service.

SPARK has trained teachers representing more than 100,000 schools worldwide and facilitated or partnered in more than 20 research studies and special projects since 1989. Annually, SPARK conducts contracted workshops and presents at professional conferences. The compilation of these efforts results in more than 20,000 teachers trained and more than 1 million students effected each and every year!

SPARK has been honored as an Exemplary Program of the U.S. Department of Education, cited in the Surgeon General’s Report as a “School-based solution to our nation’s healthcare crisis,” earned a “Governor’s Commendation,” and in 2005, was awarded “Gold” (highest ranking) for their elementary and middle school PE programs in an independent study commissioned by the Cooper Institute. SPARK is the ONLY program to earn “PE Gold” for grades K–8.

SPARK programs provide a coordinated package of curriculum (the “what to teach”), training (the “how to teach it”), content-matched equipment (the “tools you need to teach”), and extensive follow up support because programs must institutionalize to be successful and cost effective.

SPARK offers many different research-based programs: Four in Physical Education (Grades K–2, 3–6, 6–8 and 9–12), one Classroom Activity and Recess (SPARKabc’s – Activity Break Choices), one After School and one Early Childhood.

SPARK operates in multiple content areas: Physical Education in K–12 schools, Physical Activity and Recess for elementary schools, After School Programs, and Early Childhood/Preschool. SPARK is the ONLY program that can show scope and sequence for Pre-K through 12th grade and alignment with National PE standards.

SPARK has been proven to work AND last. Over 50 publications have been written and reviewed to support this claim. SPARK is the ONLY National Institutes of Health researched program that positively effects ALL of these student outcomes: Activity levels in class and away from school, physical fitness, sport skills, enjoyment of PE, and academic achievement. Teachers improve their quantity and quality of instruction, and the positive effects of SPARK sustain and institutionalize.

While intellectual property, trademarks and copyrights remain with SDSU, SPARK has recently partnered with GOPHER to be the exclusive provider of SPARK curriculum, training and equipment. GOPHER was chosen during a national search in late 2018 and the new partnership formalized in early 2019. GOPHER is committed to providing the quality service and personalized touch that all SPARK customers expect.

SPARK intellectual property, trademarks and copyrights remain with San Diego State University Research Foundation. SPARK’s original principals insist their benevolent mission (to improve the health of children) drives the dissemination effort.

SPARK has been dedicated to creating, implementing and evaluating programs to improve the health of children since 1989.