Where Curiosity Takes Root
Investigate. Experiment.
Grow.
To inspire a generation of confident, curious thinkers who grow through
nature, explore with purpose, and learn through wonder.
Spark and Sprout is dedicated to nurturing curious minds through nature-based, hands-on exploration. We empower young children to investigate the world around them through STEM-rich experiences that inspire inquiry, creativity, and a deep connection to the natural environment. Spark and Sprout's science enrichment program rooted in Reggio Emilia and Waldorf approaches and aligned with NGSS standards. Our mission is to cultivate lifelong learners who think critically, explore confidently, and
and grow through discovery.
About Us
Goals & Outcomes
Scientific Inquiry & Critical Thinking
-
Cultivate curiosity and a habit of asking “why” and “how.”
-
Develop observation, prediction, experimentation, and data-analysis skills.
-
Strengthen problem-solving through open-ended investigations.
STEM Knowledge & Skills
-
Reinforce and extend grade-level science concepts that are NGSS aligned
-
Integrate math and technology tools
-
Expose students to emerging fields of renewable energy, biotechnology, space science
Creativity & Innovation
-
Encourage design thinking—students plan, prototype, and iterate.
-
Blend science with art (STEAM) to show connections across disciplines.
-
Provide opportunities for students to present findings in creative formats (models, videos, performances).
Collaboration & Communication
-
Build teamwork skills through group projects and peer feedback.
-
Foster scientific communication: writing lab notes, creating posters, or giving short talks.
-
Practice respectful dialogue and evidence-based discussion.
Real-World Connections
-
Highlight how science impacts everyday life and global challenges.
-
Inspire environmental stewardship and civic responsibility.
Upcoming Camps
From 80 US dollars
From 80 US dollars
OUR SCIENTISTS
Seedling Scientists (Ages 3–5)
Little hands, big wonder.
Sensory Exploration & Early Inquiry. Our youngest scientists begin their journey through hands-on nature play and guided observation. Through stories, textures, sounds, and discovery walks, they develop early science habits like asking questions, noticing changes, and observing patterns.
-
Introductory science and nature play for preschoolers.
-
Activities focus on sensory exploration, observation, and guided discovery.
-
Think: dirt, water, magnifying glasses, and lots of "Why
Key Activities
-
Nature tables
-
Sensory bins (e.g. water, soil, leaves)
-
Bug hunting and leaf collecting
Exploring shadows, weather, and water play
Story-based science
Key Learning Units
-
Mini Meteorologists – Discovering sun, rain, and wind
-
Wiggly Worm Lab – Exploring soil and compost
-
Treasure of Textures – Touch-based science with leaves, seeds, bark
-
Light & Shadow Play – Using mirrors, flashlights, and nature
-
Bug Spotters – Close-up exploration with magnifiers
-
Nature Noses & Touchy Toes – Exploring the 5 senses outdoors
-
Little Leaf Library – Classifying leaves by color and shape
-
Sound Safari – Listening to nature with curiosity
-
Sprinkle & Splash Lab – Water flow, puddles, and movement
-
Critter Crawl Quest – Finding ants, snails, and beetles
Sprouting Scientists (Ages 5–8)
Curiosity takes root.
Foundational Experimentation & Ecosystem Discovery. An immersive, inquiry-based program where young scientists ask big questions and explore the world through structured experiments and nature study. Children in this stage begin to make connections between cause and effect, test hypotheses, and journal their findings. With a blend of indoor and outdoor labs, they explore habitats, weather systems, plant biology, and basic chemistry — always through inquiry-driven exploration.
Key Activities
-
Nature journaling
-
Plant growth experiments
-
Weather tracking and charting
-
Hands-on physics (ramps, pulleys, etc.)
-
Exploring pollination, food chains, and biodiversity
-
Building on curiosity with deeper investigations.
-
Activities include early experimentation, journaling, hypothesis-making, and connections to ecosystems and sustainability.
-
Think: simple machines, bug classification, mini-labs, and nature walks with purpose.
Key Learning Units
-
Pollination Station – Bees, flowers, and plant reproduction
-
Weather Watchers – Building rain gauges and cloud journals
-
Eco Engineers – Constructing simple machines from nature
-
Forest Floor Detectives – Investigating decomposition
-
The Seed Cycle Lab – Germination experiments & plant dissection
-
Sunprint Studio – UV experiments with natural materials
-
Habitat Heroes – Matching animals to environments
-
Worm World – Observing compost & soil systems
-
Simple Machines in Nature – Levers, pulleys, and ramps using sticks & rocks
Sapling Scientists (Ages 8-11)
Branching into discovery.
Systems Thinking & Applied Science. Older learners dive deeper into scientific concepts and environmental systems. They develop independent inquiry projects, conduct multi-day experiments, and explore sustainability, conservation, and the role of science in their community. This level fosters autonomy, collaboration, and leadership in science learning.
Key Activities
-
Design challenges and invention projects
-
Soil testing, water cycles, energy experiments
-
Nature conservation and citizen science
-
Guided research and project-based learning
-
Debates and discussions on real-world science topics
Key Learning Units
-
Citizen Scientists – Real data collection & reporting
-
Energy Explorers – Solar, wind, and water-powered experiments
-
Microbiome Masters – Soil & compost under the microscope
-
Eco-Inventors Studio – Design your own nature-based solution
-
Climate Detectives – Investigating climate patterns & change
-
The Biome Builders – Designing ecosystems in terrariums
-
Earth Detectives – Soil pH, erosion, and conservation
-
Invent-a-Pollinator Lab – Engineering creative pollination tools
-
Eco Data Diaries – Measuring and charting environmental data
-
Trash to Treasure Lab – Upcycling and sustainability challenges
WHY EARLY SCIENCE MATTERS?
Hands-on, child-led science boosts interest, identity, persistence and cognitive & developmental growth
-
Research shows that authentic early childhood STEM experiences (hands-on, inquiry, play, exploration) lead to: expanded creativity, improved problem-solving, better observational skills, enhanced capacity for scientific reasoning.
-
Informal STEM learning (outside formal school settings), e.g. museums or through family, fosters children’s scientific reasoning skills and increases commitment or interest in science learning.
-
Girls who participate in STEM clubs or out-of-school STEM activities are more than twice as likely as non-participating peers to say they’ll study physics in high school; nearly three times as likely to say they’ll study engineering
Confidence and self-belief matters a lot, and tends to lag even when interest is high.
-
Out-of-school/extracurricular STEM and science enrichment can boost interest, motivation, enjoyment of science, broaden perceptions of role of science, motivate continued engagement
-
Despite rises in interest (e.g. 55% of girls reporting interest in STEM careers in a recent study, up from 45% in 2017) many girls say they are not confident in their STEM/math/science abilities:
-
Only ~59% believe they are good at math & science in the more recent data, down from ~73%
-
A majority of high school girls (58%) do not think they are “smart enough” for their dream job, up from 46% in 2017
Early exposure is particularly powerful!
-
Experiential/enrichment programs help children lock in new information and apply learning to new situations
-
Elementary / middle school girls exposed to hands-on activities (e.g. robotics, computer-programming) show improved attitudes, greater interest, more positive self-perceptions of ability
-
Confidence and interest are both needed: even if interest is high, lack of confidence/self-belief can lead girls to opt out of STEM opportunities