Spark Photonics Foundation

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Spark Photonics Foundation

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Engaging students with high-quality STEM education & outreach through real-world applications in photonics, semiconductors, & advanced manufacturing, with the aim of empowering them to pursue fulfilling careers & become solvers of tomorrow’s challenges

08/10/2026

🚀 Calling all NEMC Members & Northeast STEM Advocates! 🚀

We are gearing up for our upcoming professional learning program, SparkEd: Microelectronics Ready (NEMC Edition), and we need your expertise to make our launch event a success!

We are currently looking for NEMC members to join a live round-table discussion to share real-world microelectronics and STEM insights with K–14 educators across the Northeast! Not sure if your company is a member? Check out the membership list here: 👥 https://nemicroelectronics.org/our-members

Virtual Live Session Details:
📅 Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET

How You Can Help:
🎤 Join the Panel: Interested in participating in the round table? Let us know by filling out our interest form:
🏛️ Share Leads & Network: Connect us with universities, industry partners, or STEM organizations in the Northeast who would be a great fit!
📢 Amplify: Share this post and link with colleagues or members of your network who might be interested: https://qrco.de/NEMCLIVE
Please submit your interest or pass along leads by Wednesday, August 19!

Let’s inspire the next generation of the microelectronics workforce together! 💡✨

08/03/2026

Calling all Northeast K–14 educators! 🍎⚡

Want to bring real-world tech into your classroom this fall and get paid for it?

We are opening registration for SparkEd: Microelectronics Ready (NEMC Edition), a flexible virtual professional learning program focused on semiconductors, microelectronics, and advanced manufacturing.

Which Northeast state will have the most representation in this cohort? Drop your state in the comments and tag a colleague to help represent your school district! 📍

Program Highlights:
🍎 $300 Stipend upon completion
🍎 Dates: Aug 26, 2026 to Sept 9, 2026 (work at your own pace)
🍎 Time: 6–7 hours asynchronous + one 90-min live session
🍎 Live Session: Wed, Aug 26 (3:00 PM – 4:30 PM ET)
🍎 Perks: Ready-to-use lessons, coding resources, and STEM career spotlights

Spots are limited. Grab yours here: 👉 https://wkf.ms/42p0zJe

Share this with a teacher who needs to see it! 🔷

07/03/2026

🎆 Celebrating Innovation & Opportunity ✨

Happy Fourth of July weekend from the Spark Photonics Foundation!

As we observe Independence Day today, we are reflecting on the core values that drive our mission forward year-round: curiosity, ingenuity, and community. The history of our nation is deeply rooted in the spirit of exploration and the drive to build a brighter future from the ground up.

At SPF, we honor that legacy by investing in the next generation. We believe that true opportunity starts with education—giving every student the tools and confidence to think critically, create freely, and lead the technology of tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing, and inspiring holiday weekend! 🚀

06/30/2026

Oregon is SparkAlpha State #13! 🌲

We are thrilled to announce that SparkAlpha Explore has officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest! Intel Corporation has provided funding for this project, allowing us to bring our project-based curriculum directly into Oregon's legendary "Silicon Forest."

As a global crown jewel of tech innovation, Oregon drives massive advancements in semiconductor manufacturing, research, and hardware engineering. By launching here, we’re connecting this incredible local industry powerhouse directly to the classrooms of today.

Through this expansion, we are introducing students to the world of integrated photonics and semiconductors through real-world learning—opening doors to the high-tech careers of tomorrow. 🔦⚡

We are incredibly grateful for Intel's support and our shared commitment to empowering the next generation of Pacific Northwest innovators! 🤝

Here’s to Oregon’s future technology leaders—the journey starts now! 🚀

06/25/2026

We are incredibly proud and excited to share that our very own Kristen Outler will be taking the stage at the 2026 Noyce Summit in Washington, DC next week!

A huge thank you to the AAAS - The American Association for the Advancement of Science for inviting Spark Photonics Foundation to be a part of this fantastic event.

Kristen will be leading an interactive Skills Lab designed specifically for STEM educators. Her session will focus on bridging the gap between the classroom and modern industry by giving teachers the exact tools they need to connect daily learning to emerging technology careers. From practical workforce connections to simple, actionable career-connected learning strategies, educators will walk away with ideas they can implement right away.

We can’t wait to collaborate with and learn from the amazing community of STEM educators, leaders, and partners who are shaping the future of the workforce.

If you’re attending the summit, make sure to check out Kristen's Skills Lab and say hello! 💡👋

06/05/2026

The future of the Treasure State is bright! We are still celebrating the incredible energy from the 2026 Prospects Grand Champion Pitch Competition at Montana State University. Out of 200+ student submissions, 10 high school finalists pitched live for a share of $18,000 in prizes.

A huge thank you to the Montana Chamber Foundation for creating and providing these vital opportunities for Montana’s youth to develop real-world business acumen, showcase their innovation, and connect with industry leaders who can help launch their futures!

A massive shoutout to Hart Miller from The Billings Career Center for winning 2nd Place ($2,500) in the New Business Division with Luminex Aquatics!

As a competitive swimmer, Hart used integrated photonic pressure sensors to engineer a solution to "soft touching" on swim timing pads. With the guidance of his teacher, Scott Hanson, and SparkAlpha Explore, he successfully shifted his focus from pure engineering to a solid business model.

💬 "The time spent defining the problem... opened my perspective into financials and stuff like that," Hart said. "It has very heavily opened my future with the photonics industry, especially as Montana is a growing region for photonics, especially in Bozeman."

James Easton, Director of Workforce Strategies, added:
💬“The Montana Chamber Foundation continues to be inspired by the incredible talent and drive of Montana’s youth. They are ready to lead, shape the future of our state, and ensure it remains strong for years to come. We’re always excited to see how their ideas will influence the next steps we all take together.”

Congratulations to Hart, Scott Hanson, and all of the 2026 competitors. Through impactful programs like The Prospects, Montana's youth aren't waiting for the future—they're building it!

Billings Public Schools

06/04/2026

🌟 Welcome Teddy Morris to the Spark Photonics Foundation! 🌟

We’re excited to have Teddy on board this summer as an Educational Development & Outreach Intern! Hailing from Massachusetts, Teddy joins us as a physics major in Dartmouth’s Class of 2029.

Teddy brings a fantastic background to the team, including hands-on experience as a teaching assistant. While he is used to supporting students directly in the classroom, he is eager to step onto the other side of the educational process this summer to help design and develop the very curriculum that will inspire the next generation.

With a deep passion for community impact, Teddy is most looking forward to the opportunity to directly advance STEM education in the communities around him. His drive and fresh perspective will be an incredible asset to our outreach efforts!

We’re thrilled to have you on the team, Teddy! Welcome! 🚀

06/02/2026

🌟 Welcome Back, Benny Salomon, to the Spark Photonics Foundation! 🌟

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Benny back to the team for his second consecutive summer as an Educational Development & Outreach Intern!

A physics major in The University of Chicago of Chicago’s Class of 2027, Benny is returning with a year of experience under his belt and a continued passion for making STEM accessible. After helping us lay the groundwork last year, Benny is eager to dive back in and collaborate with fellow students on new projects. He is especially excited to help drive the evolution of SparkAlpha Explore and expand our reach by making our educational assignments Spanish-friendly—leveraging his incredible bilingual communication skills to break down barriers in STEM.

We're so happy to have your energy, familiar face, and expertise back on the team, Benny! Welcome back! 🚀

05/27/2026

🗽 Brooklyn-bound for the NORDTECH Hub Members Meeting! ✨

The Spark Photonics Foundation is thrilled to head to NYU Tandon School of Engineering for this year's NORDTECH Hub Members Meeting, where leaders across government, industry, and academia gather to shape the future of Northeast microelectronics.

Kevin McComber, our Executive Director, is looking forward to discussing the regional Education and Workforce Development (EWD) initiatives we're supporting, as well as sharing updates from Spark Photonics Design!

Building tomorrow's technology requires investing in tomorrow's workforce. We look forward to collaborating with partners to strengthen regional talent pipelines and create accessible pathways into the microelectronics ecosystem.

Heading to NORDTECH? Catch up with Kevin during the networking sessions or facility tours to discuss building regional talent pipelines or accelerating your design workflows! 🚀

Address

Waltham, MA

Website

http://www.sparkphotonics.org/, https://spark-photonics-foundation.circle.so/, https://linktr.ee/sparkphotonicsfoundatio

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