The holiday season is officially upon us, and here at Spark Lab Academy, we kicked it off in the most festive and exciting way possible: by participating in the 9th Annual Lake Forest Chamber Elf Yourself 5K! And let us tell you, it was an absolute blast! Imagine a sea of cheerful faces, many adorned in festive elf gear, all gathered for a spirited run (or walk! ) for a great cause. The air was buzzing with holiday cheer, community spirit, and a definite spark of excitement. Our very own Spark Lab mascot, proudly decked out in his elf attire, was there to join in the fun, making new friends and spreading smiles. More Than Just a Run: A Hub of Curiosity! While the 5K itself was fantastic, our favorite part was connecting with so many curious minds and enthusiastic parents at the Spark Lab Academy booth. We believe that learning should be an adventure, and there's no better way to show that than through hands-on fun! We brought along some of our exciting robotics an...

Think back to your own school days. Chances are, you remember filling out endless worksheets, memorizing formulas, or repeating facts just long enough to pass a test. But how much of that knowledge actually stuck? For many kids, traditional learning methods focus more on memorization than true understanding.   That’s where hands-on learning changes everything.     From Memorizing to Understanding   Have you ever watched your child study for a test, only to forget the material a week later? Traditional school methods often focus on memorization — writing down answers, repeating facts, moving on. But true learning is more than reciting information. It’s about understanding. And that’s where hands-on learning changes everything.   Instead of passively listening or filling in blanks, kids in workshops build, experiment, and test their ideas in real time. Imagine the difference between memorizing the definition of a “sensor” versus using one to program a robot that s...

We take pride in our team of highly qualified educators at Spark Lab. Each member has a strong background in STEM, a deep passion for teaching, and a commitment to helping young learners succeed in robotics and coding. Our staff brings a wealth of experience from both academic and industry fields, ensuring that our students receive a well-rounded, expert-led education.     James Gardiner        James Gardiner has a mechanical engineering background with a Bachelor's degree from UCLA and is currently pursuing his Master's at UCI. With two years of prior tutoring experience, he is skilled at making complex STEM concepts, especially mechanical principles and physics, accessible to students. His hands-on experience, from mechanical design to using 3D printers, allows him to provide real-world context for academic topics. James looks forward to sharing his enthusiasm and expertise with the students at the Spark Lab Academy.     Havva Ferman  ...

It’s no secret that kids today are growing up surrounded by screens. Whether it’s tablets, phones, or video games, technology is part of their daily lives. But here’s the big question many parents ask: how do we turn screen time into something meaningful? Instead of endless scrolling or gaming, what if your child could use that same time to build, create, and problem-solve — skills that will prepare them for tomorrow’s world?   That’s where robotics and coding come in.   Why Robotics Is More Than Just “Playing with Robots”   If you’ve ever seen your child spend hours glued to a screen, you’ve probably wondered: Is this time helping them grow — or just keeping them busy? As parents, we want activities that don’t just entertain but actually challenge, engage, and prepare our kids for the future. That’s why robotics is so powerful.   When kids build a robot, they’re not just snapping pieces together — they’re solving real problems. They test ideas, make mistakes, and ...