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Meet LEA with Google AI Search Powered by: A Quick, Practical Intro to New Google AI Search Tools Meet Google’s LEA (Learning Experience Accelerator), powered by MindSpark, is a free, virtual learning experience designed to make AI practical, accessible, and immediately useful for educators. In just 30-45 minutes, you’ll explore: Ways to accelerate planning using Google’s new AI search engine tools. Strategies to enrich learning through inquiry-based instruction. Approaches that empower student exploration while building AI literacy. No cost. Fully virtual. Multiple session dates available. What is This Program? A fast, hands-on training to help educators (and future educators!) use Google’s AI-powered Search tools to plan smarter, teach deeper, and spark student curiosity. And yes—parents, caregivers, guardians, and community members can use these tools too to support learning at home, whether it’s homework help or everyday “let’s look that up!” moments. 3 Ways to Use Google AI Search Tools Accelerate Planning Enrich Learning Encourage Exploration Perfect For: K–12 educators Principals & administrators District/state leaders Preservice faculty/instructors Teacher candidates Parents/caregivers/community members Session Format Choose a session that fits your schedule and walk away with strategies you can use right away—whether you teach or support K–12, are a preservice teacher, or are a parent/guardian or community member. 45-60 minutes | Interactive | Easy to try right away Sign up here or request a custom date/time

Meet MindSpark's passionate team of former educators, creative disruptors, and community builders who make the MindSpark magic happen! Together, we are committed to supporting educators and serving as a bridge between education and industry, through elite partnerships and customized professional learning experiences. Our Team By Educators, For Educators. Our team of former educators, creative disruptors, and community builders are passionate about supporting educators and serving as a bridge between education and industry. Jacki Reid VP of Compu ter Science Education Food Connoisseur Rebecca Turner VP of Professional Learning Boy Mama, Dancer, Traveler Lauren Schafer Senior Director of Professional Learning Hiker, Traveler, Avid Book Reader Jescely Castillo Director of Research and Design Crafter, Trivia Enthusiast, Nature Lover Colleen Comstock Director of Design & Product Marketing Traveler, Nature Enthusiast, Pet Parent Sofie White Director of Impact Operations Outdoor Enthusiast, Foodie Mike Trujillo VP of Information Systems & IT Tech Enthusiast, Foodie Matt Selover Director of Data Analytics Animal Advocate, Dice Roller Dominique Bravo Chief Operations & People Officer Runner, Dog Mom, Murderino, Swiftie Carrie Romero-Brugger Chief Design Officer Learner, Family CEO, Pencil Lover Kellie Lauth Chief Executive Officer Artist, Children's Book Author, Rock Hound Board of Directors Behind every great organization are great advisors who believe in the mission. Geof Rochester Board Chairman, GRI Consulting, Formerly with The Nature Conservancy Tim Cronin Former Leadership with Levi’s, Wilson Sporting Goods, and Rawlings Dan Morris Financial Advisor, High Point Financial Group, LLC Ash Mahajan CEO, Mt. Blue Sky Consulting Group National Advisory Team John Farnam Director, Responsive Grantmaking Buell Foundation John Bennett Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado Boulder Sondra Smith Corporate Sustainability Director, Zayo Denise Gitsham Founder, Vitamin D Public Relations Anna Kimsey Edwards Senior Advisor to New Markets Venture Partners Mike Papi Partner, The Xcite Group; Founder, OneGoat Foundation Sarah Meuli Director of Government Affairs & Community Engagement Bridget Coughlin Chief Executive Officer of Shedd Aquarium Kerry Glenn Accomplished educator and STEM advocate leader Donna Goldin-Evans Co-Founder and CEO, Tellus Wellness We’ve been dedicated to re-engineering education, cutting-edge learning experiences, and workforce development since day one. Go Back in Time... History

Activating education systems through teacher professional development – unlocking human potential for the near, next, and new. Recognizing that education is the cornerstone of progress, we drive collective impact, and foster social innovation at the intersection of education, industry, and community. Trusted by industry leaders and community partners, MindSpark Learning has impacted over 65,000 professionals and 2,000,000 students. Join us in uplifting educators and reshaping education. MindSpark upskills educators and improves education systems for today, tomorrow, and the future. We know that education is the single most important investment for people, planet and prosperity. We create and implement programs that accelerate growth, foster collaboration, and drive innovative solutions by connecting schools, businesses, and communities. Partnerships Trusted by industry and co mmunity leaders. Who is MindSpark? Since 2017, MindSpark has impacted over 91,000 professionals and 2,730,000 students… …built meaningful relationships with more than 750 industry and community partners... …and served all 50 states and 88 countries bridging the most highly impacted to the leading edge regions. MindSpark’s transformational work is focused on 3 key areas: Talent Development Collective Impact Community Focused Solutions Revitalizing and diversifying talent across sectors We take a third-year teacher who is burned out and restores their passion for teaching and learning. We compel the largest aerospace company in the world to diversify and recruit talent across 20 industry sectors. We link talent to environmentally conscious farms to fulfill the mission of a top university’s land-grant heritage. Preservation and growth that fortifies communities We build the runway for a school principal to support students to address rural housing insecurity. We transform cherished community spaces into entrepreneurial hubs responsible for the next generation of innovators. We launch the model for a kindergarten teacher to engage her students in solving the healthcare gap for their families. Workforce Development that uplifts and upskills individuals We boost the ability of a veteran teacher to launch an AR platform so her high school students can own the metaverse. We create a platform for a Fortune 500 company to upskill thousands of educators in AI across multiple continents. We enable leading tech companies to deliver on corporate social responsibility commitments to quality education.

By MindSpark It happens for some people in middle school, and other people in high school or college, even in a career. Moving from one stage of life to another – often in a bigger space and with more people – can feel disorienting, even alienating. People, particularly young people, often feel lonely and adrift.  The extent to which schools address these feelings has enormous implications, especially for students entering high school. Research shows that ninth-graders who are “on track” – attend school regularly, pass their classes, and earn high grades – are about four times more likely  to graduate from high school. As consequential as these transitions are, many school districts treat them as nonevents, just a blip of a development. Not surprisingly, lots of teenagers go on to struggle academically and report feeling disengaged. According to a recent Brookings survey of over 65,000 students   in the U.S., only 26 percent of 10th graders say they love school, and only 39 percent of 10th graders say most of the time they feel they belong at school. Until a few years ago, Johnson County School District in eastern Kentucky was treating students’ transitions as a spectator sport. Its middle school and its high school shared a parking lot, but that was all they shared. One school fed into the other, but the teachers and administrators at each did their own thing.  Many of the students and staff at the middle school, for instance, were unaware that the high school offered more career pathways than any other school in Kentucky. Meanwhile, staff at the high school did little to facilitate middle school students’ transition, orienting them with only a paper map and a PowerPoint presentation. Like many others across the country, the schools were sitting on powerful opportunities to collaborate and better support their students, but – despite their physical proximity – they were misaligned. The Power of A Conversation This dynamic started to shift in 2022, when MindSpark kicked off an Education Accelerator  (EA) in the state thanks to support from the Siegel Family Foundation. MindSpark served as the convener and the facilitator; Johnson County was among eight districts asked to build a team of staff members and send them to Lexington once a month for seven months. Noel Crum, the assistant superintendent, selected one educator from each of the district’s five elementary schools, middle school, and high school, and the group began traveling two hours each way for the MindSpark gatherings. They began with a prompt: identify a workforce gap within your community . The Johnson County team quickly settled on the challenge of helping students find what they want to do before  they go to college. Many of the educators on the team wanted to help students avoid spending unnecessary time and money on a professional pursuit, only to realize they weren’t actually interested in it. The two-hour drive was onerous, but the distance from the hubbub of their day jobs proved to be a blessing in disguise, said Jarred Gibson, a freshman guidance counselor at the high school, and Jeremy Daniels, an assistant principal at the middle school, both of whom participated in the Education Accelerator. “People who work in schools are so busy,” Gibson said. “Everyone has great ideas, but we never have the time to implement them. This opportunity gave us the time and the support and the accountability to actually move forward.” MindSpark facilitated the whole process, asking the teams about their progress in between the monthly meetings and offering ideas and observations. As a result of connections formed during these meetings, Johnson County educators realized they were all working at cross purposes.  The conversations sparked by the Accelerator helped surface that elementary school students were having trouble adjusting to the middle school’s larger building and enrollment. Middle school students were participating in career pathways that didn’t correspond to the ones offered at the high school. And high school students were enrolling in classes they didn’t really understand, leading to frequent schedule changes and fewer certificates and college credits earned. From Problem Identified to Problem Solved Thanks to MindSpark’s suggestion, the district surveyed its students and tapped into the nervousness and uncertainty many students were feeling. In response, the high school began holding an annual Opportunity Fair, a student-led event where middle school students can learn about each of the 32 career pathways the school offers. Students are also able to tour the building. “Because of the tours and the opportunity to talk directly to other students, they’re going from having fear and anxiety to being excited about the pathways,” said Daniels. “Now kids talk all about the pathways, and we’re getting more enrollment from other counties than ever before.” Sharing more information sooner is helping students make more informed decisions. Gibson, the 9th-grade counselor, said he’s encountering far fewer students who need schedule changes. “Before, students were going into engineering pathways and coming to me saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t know it was all this math,’” he said. “Now a lot of the kids are getting into the right programs for them, which gives them a chance to earn certificates and up to 36 college credits before they graduate, all at no cost to them.” There are less tangible benefits, too. “I have seen a huge decrease in anxiety from students transitioning from 8th-grade to 9th-grade,” Gibson said. “I deal with anxiety on the daily, and I have noticed a tremendous decrease in the last couple of years as students have a much more positive mindset going into high school. They’ve gone from being scared to being excited.” In Johnson County, the EA achieved its purpose: the district is changing its systems, and students are getting far more robust support during critical transitions. As a result, students are acclimating to their new schools more successfully and taking fuller advantage of course offerings. After the session, Johnson County students’ participation rates in career-connected learning increased by 150 percent. This particular Education Accelerator is long over, but the collaboration it fostered continues: Gibson, Daniels, and the rest of their team continues to meet each month. “It’s just been transformative," Daniels said. Learn more about MindSpark Education Accelerators

What is Problem Based Learning? Problem-Based Learning, or PBL, is a powerful classroom tool. PBL prepares students for the modern workforce by instilling problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability skills through real-world problems, thereby boosting engagement. Research shows that PBL enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. In the course of Problem Based Learning, students are presented with a problem to solve, such as electronic waste or water conservation. They work in teams to solve the problem using an iterative process that begins with collecting data and context about the problem. Next is research into the problem and their task associated with it – that is, what solution they are going to propose. Students then ideate, prototype, test and reflect on their solutions. One powerful tool during the process is science writing and science notebooks. The transdisciplinary work of PBL brings math, science, literacy, writing and more into the students' orbit as they work through a problem relevant to them and their life. This student directed learning increases student engagement. PBL requires a hands-on approach. This heightens creative thinking and leads to greater understanding and retention of material, especially when applying what they learn in real-world situations. PBL promotes sense making and inclusivity by engaging all students to actively participate in problem-solving, regardless of background or prior experience. It encourages students to engage in hands-on, team-based approaches to real-world challenges, developing critical skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability. What does PBL Look Like in the Real World? An impactful example of PBL in action is MindSpark Learning’s partnership with the Todd County School District on the Rosebud Reservation. Despite challenges like low socioeconomic status, the district saw significant academic improvements, with 63% of students surpassing the district average. However, through our partnership, we shrunk the achievement gap as 63% of impacted students are performing above the district average now. Thirty educator participants were able to engage almost 1000 kids to PBL during the 2022-2023 school year in 30 classrooms across the district. Projects ranged from increasing Lakota identity in early grades to addressing land sovereignty and housing issues in higher grades, with high school students developing solutions for sustainable buffalo herd management. What are the Benefits of PBL in Science, Math and Literacy? PBL benefits students in science, math, and literacy by fostering ownership, curiosity, and resilience. In science, PBL encourages students to ask questions, make observations, and collaborate on solutions, promoting a deeper understanding of scientific and critical thinking. Science notebooks help students articulate ideas and reflect on learning, strengthening both literacy and scientific inquiry. Integrating these practices enables students to develop critical thinking as they talk about and record their ideas and observations and gain confidence in problem-solving, all while making meaningful connections across disciplines. A great example of how Problem Based Learning encompasses all subjects and supports scientific inquiry in students is Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow sparks passion for STEM and builds critical thinking and leadership skills. In this way PBL is used to equip students with essential contemporary skills and prepare them for the workforce of the future, expanding STEM access, advancing equity in education, scaling economic contributions, and increasing community collaboration. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow’s PBL model places importance on several factors: environmental stewardship social impact entrepreneurship artificial intelligence-based assessment design-thinking empathy development Research shows that students who participate in PBL often achieve higher academic performance and better retention of knowledge compared to traditional learning methods. This method also encourages deeper understanding by having students apply concepts in practical, meaningful contexts. The Workforce of the Future: How to Integrate PBL in Your Classroom To prepare students for the workforce, integrate real-world challenges that engage students and foster critical thinking and collaboration Structure projects that allow students to work in teams, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and diverse perspectives. Use science notebooks to guide students in documenting their progress, recording insights, and reflecting on both successes and challenges. Teachers should act as mentors, guiding students to take the lead in problem-solving. This approach not only aligns with STEM and literacy goals but also equips students with practical skills essential for future careers, from effective communication to innovative thinking. Conclusion Incorporating Problem-Based Learning into the classroom is an effective way to engage students in real-world challenges while developing essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. Whether you're teaching science, math, or literacy, PBL uplifts students to take ownership of their learning and prepares them for success in the workforce of the future. By embracing this approach, we can equip the next generation with the tools they need to solve complex problems and thrive in an ever-changing world.

Today is a   monumental day for MindSpark. We are thrilled to announce we’ve acquired long-time partner, Couragion . Not only are we adding this wonderful organization to our family, Couragion’s former CEO Melissa Risteff is joining us as our Chief Strategy Officer.  You might recognize the name. While we’ve personally known Couragion and Melissa Risteff since 2015, many of you might know them through our partnership that created STEMpath , our 24-credit grad-level Computer Science (CS) certification program. Since its launch in 2019, it remains one of our most coveted professional learning offerings, proven to boost the capability and diversity of STEM and CS teachers, and increase the number of students ready to pursue STEM careers. Couragion provides STEM career literacy and workforce development solutions for educators, students, and advocates. With intentional impact-first methods to encourage the participation of underrepresented students, Couragion advances student intention, motivation and confidence rates to pursue rewarding career pathways. Like any extraordinary partnership, Couragion and MindSpark are completely aligned in beliefs, passions, and approaches. You’ve read about MindSpark’s “Our Spark”   by now. Here’s how Couragion supports our why: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Couragion elevates diverse role models to build awareness of what’s possible and has demonstrated outcomes serving underrepresented and highly-impacted students. 70% of Couragion role models are female and 40% are from communities of color. The experiences are virtual and accessible to all users. Couragion’s design inherently examines bias and assumptions while providing access to robust career pathways.  Workforce Literacy: Couragion nurtures ongoing, mutually beneficial relationships with industry partners to highlight role models and the jobs of today and tomorrow. Couragion is a key resource to directly support the early exposure and continued immersion in what is the future of work and the workforce. Educators are upskilled to understand labor market needs and students are enlightened about potential career pathways and opportunities.  Resilient and Healthy Communities: Couragion layers onto MindSpark’s work with intentional outcomes, activities, and immersion in occupational identities. From inception, Couragion has focused on exploring self-awareness and aspirations, capturing student voice, cultivating motivation-confidence-intention metrics for STEM career pathways, and analyzing key performance indicators to prove a broader impact is being achieved. All of this contributes to building healthy occupational identities for students. Disruptive Practices: Couragion exemplifies disruption as an exemplar platform that is different from other career awareness and readiness tools. Couragion models systems thinking, sees problems as opportunities, doesn’t accept the status quo or complacency, and celebrates change. Couragion understands that disruption is a process.  What Does This Mean For You?  Together, we will continue to work together with educators and administrators, industry partners, and communities to reengineer education into a high-impact sector that solves society’s biggest challenges. Our combined teams and Couragion’s technology platform will offer our customers and partners more accessible and equitable solutions on a global scale. We will be integrating Couragion’s platform across our experience offerings.  For more information on the acquisition, check out our press release .