Please note: This program has been suspended for the time being.

SPARCS is a Minnesota youth technology and computer science STEM development program for middle and high-school students who are female, genderqueer, or non-binary.

The SPARCS program in Minnesota is a statewide initiative to increase diversity in the tech workforce.

SPARCS helps students:

  • increase awareness of information technology (IT) career opportunities

  • explore technology tools, apps, and build tech skills

  • be supported by IT professionals

  • build relationships with other young tech-oriented students

  • consider and prepare for higher education

Group of diverse individuals, some wearing hats and glasses, standing in front of a large screen displaying a colorful digital presentation about careers in tech. Several people are holding cartoon character signs. A table in front has two laptops and a tablet. The background is a bright green wall.

SPARCS offers a variety of programs and activities for middle and high school students, including:

Summer camps: SPARCS hosts a variety of summer camps that focus on different aspects of STEM, such as coding, app development, and cyber security.

Mentorship programs: SPARCS matches students with mentors who work in the tech industry. Mentors provide students with guidance and support as they explore careers in tech.

Tech tours: SPARCS partners with tech companies to offer students tours of their facilities. These tours give students a chance to see what it's like to work in the tech industry.

Scholarships: SPARCS can provide scholarships to some students who are pursuing degrees in computer science or a related fields.

A group of diverse smiling children and teenagers holding a white sign with black text that says "THANK YOU SPACE" and the subtext "SUSTAINING PASSION, AMBITION". They are standing in front of a brick building with the number 263 visible above the door, and they are waving at the camera.

Benefits SPARCS offers students:

I.T. career opportunity awareness.

  • Tool, app, and tech skills.

  • Professional networking and relationship building.

  • Friendship and community with other young tech-oriented students.

  • Higher education preparation.

Other Items of Interest:

Logo for Minnesota State IT Center of Excellence highlighting the SPARCS tour with a silhouette of a city skyline and the text "MINNESOTA STATE IT Center of Excellence SPARCS".

I.T. Career Tour

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Logo for the Minnesota Affiliate Award for Aspirations in Computing, an NCWIT Award, featuring a green circular graphic and text in black, blue, and green.

The Aspirations Awards

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Logo for 'IT EXPLORATION' with slogan 'Preparing Students for Tech Career Success' featuring a stylized 'it' icon and a location pin.

I.T. Explorations Curriculum

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