Laptop computers with an external 3-button mouse are an integral requirement to the classes at Spark Innolab. Each student enrolled at Spark Innolab will be assessed a technology fee (details tba). This fee will be waived under the following conditions:

• If the student is only enrolled in classes that do not require a laptop (such as Small Engine Repair)
• If the student already has a dedicated laptop that is sufficient speed and memory to complete Spark work.

Laptops must be brought to every class. Students must have ability to access the Internet and install software at the direction of the instructor. Each student in must also have a valid email address that is unique from other family members. This email address will be used to login to the student portal.

Every student must agree to our lab etiquette, behavior, and digital device policies.

Registration for all classes is for the entire academic year. Tuition and fees are collected by the semester.

75 Minute Classes: $379 per semester

Twice Weekly Classes: $559 per semester

Embers Tuition: $305 per semester for one hour classes, $595 per semester for two hour classes, and $1,190 per semester for four hour classes.

Materials Fees: Range from $25 – 100 per class per semester, depending on the materials needs of the class. Fees are listed on registration page.

Technology Fee: waived if student has a laptop (details coming soon)

Registration Fee: $100 per family per year

Art of Argument

Learn critical thinking by focusing on 28 common logical fallacies. This class is appropriate for both middle school and high school, and gives a foundation for future studies of logic. Students will find creative examples of fallacies in modern culture, such as advertisements or political speeches (and maybe the words of their parents!). They’ll also practice recognizing and refuting fallacies in conversations with their peers. Students will need to purchase a copy of the student workbook (approx. $25 new) to bring to class.

CAD/3D Printing with Fusion

Learn Computer Aided Design (CAD) with Fusion by Autodesk! CAD is an essential skill for mechanical engineers, fun for artists, and useful for nearly all professions. The goal of this class is to learn industry-standard skills through teen-relevant projects. Each project will become sequentially more difficult. Many will be 3D printed or laser-cut to take home. Students must obtain a free educational license for Fusion and install it before the first day of class.

CAD/3D Printing with Tinkercad

Ready for computer aided design (CAD), but not ready for the complexity of Fusion? This is the class for you! Students will learn the ropes of CAD and 3D printing, developing a strong foundation for later work in Fusion. Think of it like learning Canva Pro before jumping into Photoshop!

Card & Board Game Design

First, journey through the history and mechanics of board games. Then, apply this knowledge to design and create your own original strategic board game. Some pieces may be 3D printed.

Computer Science Foundation (with Python)

This class teaches the fundamentals of computer science and computer programming. Students will learn Python basics including syntax, variables, and data types. They will explore control structures, loops, and algorithms. And they will understand data structures and file I/O operations. After completing this class, students will be ready for more advanced coursework in programming, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The course includes a subscription to online lessons which much be completed at home between classes.

Computer Skills

Learn to use advanced features of Excel, Powerpoint, and Word that will make both college and work easier. Students will also work on keyboarding using an included subscription to a typing program. At the end of this course, students will be able to input and manipulate both text and data. Students will need to complete a free Microsoft account before classes begin.

Electronics in Action (aka Electronics Foundations)

This is the foundational class for electronics at Spark. Students move through structured learning projects that explore increasingly complex circuits and electronic components. Students will often prototype and wire their designs.

Electronics Deconstruction

This is the class for the student who wants to take it apart to see how it works! Student teams will deconstruct household electronics and draw simple schematics of the revealed components. They’ll learn how resistors, capacitors, sensors, transducers, and transistors function in real circuitry.

Entrepreneurship

This course introduces students to the mindset and skills needed to turn ideas into opportunities. They will be introduced to market research, business planning, business structures, and finance. They’ll work on their own small business ideas and share successes and challenges!

Engineering Design Challenges

Explore the engineering design process in a hands-on way. Tackle a challenge and prototype a solution over the course of the semester. Students will also have in-class challenges to hone their problem solving and creative design skills.

Forensics

Who dunnit?! Apply the scientific method and principles from chemistry, biology, and physics to principles of forensics. Students will develop critical thinking and observation skills by conducting lab experiments, analyzing case studies, and learning forensic techniques.

Gambling & Vegas Stats (Statistics & Probabilities)

What better way to practice statistics and probabilities than through games of chance?! Students will explore the math behind poker, blackjack, craps, and similar games. Math will be discussed at an introductory level, and parents will be encouraged to expand at home to the level appropriate for each student. This is not a core math class, rather a fun way to introduce applied math skills. And yes, students will learn to play poker!

Geometry STEM Build

Learn and apply geometry concepts through building challenges such as bridges and putt-putt golf holes. Students will work with materials such as cardboard and balsa wood to solve construction challenges. The mixed age section is open to all students whether or not they have completed geometry. To enroll in the 14+ section, students must BOTH be at least 14 years old by the start of the fall term AND have either completed or be concurrently enrolled in Geometry. In the mixed age section, math concepts will be discussed at an introductory level, and parents will be encouraged to expand at home to the level appropriate for each student.

High School Essay Writing

Is your student ready for essay writing? This course uses Writing and Rhetoric books 10 and 11. In fall semester, students will be learn to write well-crafted persuasive thesis essays with expository, descriptive, and narrative elements. They will craft complex thesis statements and sustain arguments for six paragraphs. In spring semester, students will expand into writing dynamic and powerful speeches as they refine their theses and antitheses skills. Students will need to purchase copies of Writing & Rehtoric books 10 and 11 (approx. $25 each if purchased new).

High School Spanish 1

¿Hablas español? This course will introduce spoken and written Spanish, including basic grammar. The course will include an online program to practice between class meetups.

History Via Discoveries & Inventions

Explore how discoveries and inventions have shaped history. Follow the trail of scientific thought and discovery through time, with emphasis on events spurring inventions and societies’ reactions. Discuss how global events were triggered or altered by acts of discovery. As major discoveries are introduced, periodic hands-on labs will reinforce the scientific principles and their importance. Material is presented at an upper-middle-school to lower-high-school level.

Literary Lessons: Lord of the Rings

““It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door.” This group study of The Lord of the Rings will move chapter-by-chapter through the trilogy. Students will explore both the texts themselves and the rich, ancient literature that served as their inspiration. Reading and writing homework should be expected each week. Students will be expected to have available and bring to class a copy of the trilogy, ideally ISBN 9780618640157 .

Middle School Chemistry

This course introduces concepts such as states of matter, density, and chemical changes through hands-on demonstrations and labs. Students will gain a foundation to prepare them for high school level coursework.

Middle School Integrated Science

A little of this, and a little of that! This course will touch on topics from physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science, Students will be exposed to a wide variety of topics through interactive discussions and hands-on explorations. Science will be introduced at an upper-middle-school level. A textbook is not required, however parents may wish to purchase one to continue discussions at home.

Monstrous Adventures D&D Language Arts

Practice storytelling, critical-thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving through the world of Dungeons and Dragons. This course will have writing homework related to character and plot development. Basic probabilities will also be covered during class.

Physics Spotlight

Explore a sampling of physics concepts at a middle school level through hands-on activities and labs. Some basic understanding of algebra concepts is helpful but not required. Students will gain a foundation to prepare them for high school level coursework.

Research & Public Speaking

Research and presentation skills are important in all variety of professions! In this course, students will learn to research a topic, organize key points, and present findings in an oral presentation. Students will also learn to be active and supportive audience to their peers.

Robot Build: Intro to Arduino

Using an arduino-based robot kit, students will explore the intersection between hardware and software. Students will use the Arduino language to program their robot to react based on input from sensors, completing challenges such as line-following and obstacle avoidance. Students are encouraged to concurrently enroll in Computer Science Foundations for a deeper understanding of programming, and Electronics in Action for a deeper understanding of the electrical components.

Small Engine Repair

Learn how an engine works, gaining valuable life skills! Students in this vocational class will work in small teams to disassemble and reassemble a small internal combustion engine. Then, they’ll begin diagnosing and repairing small engines such as those in weed-wackers and generators.

Small Engine Repair: Level 2

Level two engine repair students continue to develop skills in one of two focus areas. The “business” focused class will continue working on small engines and discuss the ins-and-outs of running a small engine repair company. It is suggested but not required that students in this class also enroll in Entrepreneurship. The “bigger engines” focused class will move on to slightly larger engines and bigger, more complicated repair projects.

Technical Drawing

Get those ideas out of your head on onto paper! This is an art class with the STEM student in mind. Topics include drawing to scale, drawing from different angles, and creating cross-sections.

World History: Wars and Weapons

Why did some civilizations rise while others fell? In this course, students explore world history by examining the conflicts that reshaped nations and the technologies that changed how wars were fought. From ancient weapons and battlefield tactics to modern military innovations, students will investigate how warfare has influenced politics, borders, cultures, and technological progress.

Zombie Invasion Geography

It’s a zombie apocalypse! This course uses scenerio-based learning to explore geography concepts at the upper-middle-school to lower-high-school level. Students learn about mapping, resources, settlements, boundaries, migration, and human impacts on geography.

Honors Math

We offer twice-weekly math classes using the Art of Problem Solving curriculum. This curriculum is specifically designed for high-performing math students.The texts not only introduce key results of mathematics, but also teach students how to develop new ideas themselves and how to apply these ideas to challenging problems. Students learn the key problem solving skills needed for success in top universities and in the most competitive careers.

Spark Innolab currently offers Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Before enrolling in a math class, please take the math placement test as offered on the Art of Problem website. Each level of math has a “pre-test” and a “post-test”. The pre-test will tell you if a student is ready for a particular level. The post-test will tell you if the level will be review.

• Pre-Algebra Pre-Test and Pre-Algebra Post-Test (Pre-Algebra)
• Algebra 1 Pre-Test and Algebra 1 Post-Test (Introduction to Algebra)
• Geometry Pre-Test and Geometry Post-Test (Introduction to Geometry)
• Algebra 2 Pre-Test and Algebra 2 Post-Test (Intermediate Algebra)

Using a combination of the pre-tests and post-tests, you should be able to determine the math level of your student in the Art of Problem Solving series. Students will need to purchase the appropriate book and bring it to every class.

High School Conceptual Physics with Labs

This course follows the physics-first philosophy, which re-sequences high school science to teach physics before chemistry and biology. It focuses on foundational concepts to help students understand the physical principles underlying chemistry and biology. To this end, the pre-requesite math for this course is only Algebra 1. Students will be given access to an online curriculum that will be followed between class meetings. To the greatest extent possible, class time will focus on discussions, demonstrations, and labs. A pdf file of the textbook is included with the course. Students who would like a printed textbook may purchase one for $90. Students will finish this course with a solid conceptual foundation in physics, and will be prepared for college-level coursework.

High School Biology with Labs

Take a deep dive into honors level biology presented with engaging illustrations! Students will need to obtain a used copy of the out-of-print book “Exploring the Way Life Works: The Science of Biology” by Hoagland, Dodson, and Hauck (ISBN 076371688X approx $10). Spark is in contact with the authors who are updating the text for re-publishing and will provide any updates. Labs will introduce the equipment, processes, and procedures students will find in a college laboratory. Students will finish this course with a solid conceptual foundation in biology and will be prepared for college-level coursework.

High School Chemistry with Labs

Conceptual Chemistry helps students visualize the behavior of atoms and molecules to understand our macroscopic environment. Since the class will focus on fundamental concepts rather than mathematical models, the the pre-requisite math is only Algebra 1. Labs are designed to introduce the equipment, processes, and procedures students will find in a college laboratory. Students will be given access to an online curriculum that will be followed between class meetings. To the greatest extent possible, class time will focus on discussions, demonstrations, and labs. A pdf file of the textbook is included with the course. Students who would like a printed textbook may purchase one for $90. Students will finish this course with a solid conceptual foundation in chemistry, and will be prepared for college-level coursework.