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Learn how MindSpark’s Microschool Entrepreneurship Accelerator program helped educators innovate and transform education in the post-pandemic era. Transforming Education Through Microschool Innovation In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of education underwent a seismic shift. Traditional educational institutions grappled with adapting to the rapidly changing landscape, prompting parents to explore alternative educational avenues. This is the story of Microschools, small-scale, private, and personalized learning environments that emerged as a response to these challenges, and how MindSpark played a supportive role in nurturing the educators driving this innovation. Fostering the Growth of Microschools While Microschools had existed for some time, they gained considerable attention and traction in the post-pandemic era. The frustrations brought on by COVID-19 closures led parents to seek innovative educational options. This growing interest illuminated the unique potential of Microschools, characterized by their flexibility and community-centered approach. MindSpark recognized this potential and initiated the Microschool Entrepreneurship Accelerator (EA) program in Colorado, aimed at equipping educators with the tools, knowledge, and network necessary to thrive in this evolving landscape. A Vision of Collaboration: Microschool EA The Microschool EA program was designed with a clear goal: to bridge the isolation often felt by Microschool leaders and entrepreneurs. It aimed to create a diverse cohort of educational pioneers, demystify the Microschool experience, and empower educators to drive innovation within their respective organizations. The program's initial cohort included Be Wild, La Luz, United Hearts, Confluence Microschool, and Academic Advocates. The program's core focus was on creating a collaborative community of innovative educators. Through responsive design sessions, all participants were encouraged to contribute their insights, ensuring collective wisdom took precedence. The program dedicated "sacred" time for collective dreaming, planning, and action-taking, fostering a vibrant community of edu-preneurs. Addressing Challenges Head-On A significant facet of the Microschool EA was the identification and resolution of challenges. The program commenced with a disruptive kickoff experience that prompted participants to conduct gap audits. These audits allowed Microschool leaders to pinpoint their most pressing organizational issues, such as recruitment, financial sustainability, donor partnerships, and marketing. They then developed Level Up plans to monitor their progress toward these goals. The Microschool EA breathed new life into the participating organizations, igniting fresh creativity and collaboration. It catalyzed a spirit of innovation that translated into tangible improvements. Empowering Leadership Throughout the eight-month program, MindSpark provided leadership content to help participants manage and lead effective organizations. Expert guest speakers were invited to share their insights and experiences, focusing on critical areas like marketing, social media, and donor relationships. These topics were identified based on the participants' specific needs, ensuring the content remained responsive. Transformation in Action Two Microschools, La Luz and Catch a Star Academy, offer compelling examples of the Microschool EA's transformative impact. La Luz entered the program as an active school with a mission to secure sustainable funding, partnerships, and donors. However, their journey revealed that they needed a revamp of their mission, communication, and marketing. During the Microschool EA, La Luz improved its messaging, mission communication, and marketing reach. They became one of the top results in Google searches for "alternative education in Denver." The parents of La Luz students expressed pride in their school's transformation and actively supported it by forming a parent organization. Catch a Star Academy experienced a similar transformation, increasing their enrollment by a staggering 500% during the program. They focused on developing a media and social media identity, leveraging expert volunteers to achieve their goals. Today, Catch a Star Academy is active on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, showcasing their students and their unique experiences. The Domino Effect: Impact on Families While the Microschool EA aimed to empower educators and innovators, it had an unexpected and significant impact on families. La Luz, for instance, not only improved its outreach but also saw its enrollment capped for the upcoming school year. Catch a Star Academy similarly experienced a remarkable increase in enrollment. These outcomes underscore the growing demand for alternative educational options and the significance of family input in shaping educational choices. Building a Stronger Community Beyond individual successes, the Microschool EA played a pivotal role in strengthening the alternative education community in Denver. Through various gatherings and increased political involvement, this collective of educators and innovators became a force for positive change. A Lesson in the Power of Innovation The Microschool EA exemplifies the transformative power of innovation in education. In a post-pandemic world hungry for educational alternatives, this program not only nurtured Microschools but also empowered educators to think creatively and collaboratively. The journeys of La Luz and Catch a Star Academy serve as reminders that with the right support and resources, educators can overcome challenges, adapt, and thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of education as the Microschool community helps reshape the future of education in Denver.

MindSpark Learning supports North Carolina educators and schools in utilizing the Coding and Mobile App Development Grant to enhance computer science programs. Our resources and expertise enable educators to implement innovative CS education aligned with state standards and student success goals. Top of Page How We Can Help About the Grant Schedule a Call How We Support You Our Partners Why We Do What We Do Maximizing Your Grant Resources Hi, North Carolina Are you ready to transform your school through computer science? With significant CS funding available to North Carolina schools, MindSpark is your partner in securing and maximizing funding from this grant. The Coding and Mobile App Development Grant is a unique opportunity to get significant grant funding for your school and your CS programs. Let us help you turn your Computer Science education goals into a reality. Receive Updates How MindSpark Can Help You Let MindSpark be your partner in grant success: Our non-profit partners with schools and educators to attain and utilize these types of unique funding to align with your state’s standards. Partnering with MindSpark means maximizing your chances of grant approval and ensuring the funds are used effectively to achieve your school's goals. Our proven track record and deep expertise in the field set us apart. We’ve secured over $700,000 in CS grant funding and never lost a grant we’ve partnered on. About the Grant The Coding and Mobile App Development Grant provides funding to North Carolina schools to implement computer science and coding programs, equipping students with in-demand digital skills. The North Carolina General Assembly allocated $800,000 for the 2024-2025 school year grant program. LEARN MORE Use of Program Funds: Partnership support PD for educators Stipends for PD attendees Resources and equipment Administrative costs Area Focuses: Artificial Intelligence Coding and programming Computer science principles Data Science Deadlines: Informational Webinar: 8/8, 4 PM MindSpark Consultation: 8/30 Grant Application: 9/6 Is My School Eligible? Eligible recipients are North Carolina Public School Units and charter schools. Past recipients may reapply. Let's Connect Thinking about applying for this grant? Talk with Jacki, our Vice President of Computer Science Education and Initiatives, to let us help you boost your chances of receiving funding from this grant. Email Jacki to Schedule a Call How We Support You Our mission includes supporting educators like you to enhance your chances of securing grant funds through: Expert Grant Writing Providing writing support and recommendations for compelling proposals that win. Deep-Dive Research Identifying grants perfectly aligned with your school's mission. Strategic Partnership We build strong collaborations to enhance your grant application. Our Partners MindSpark is a proud member and partner with leading computer science organizations dedicated to expanding access to computer science education. Why We Do What We Do Our mission is clear: to increase access and opportunity for all students. Our goal is to increase and diversify the talent pipeline through participation in CS, STEM, and career-connected learning. By partnering with schools, we aim to: Develop a skilled workforce: Cultivate the talent pipeline for North Carolina's tech industry. Enhance educational outcomes: Improve student achievement and support educators through innovative programs. Maximizing Your Grant Securing a grant is just the beginning. Effective implementation is key to realizing its full potential. MindSpark is your partner in transforming grant funds into impactful programs. We’ll work closely with you to ensure grant funds align perfectly with your school’s mission and vision. We understand that every school is unique. Valuable resources can be misallocated or underutilized. Our expertise lies in tailoring strategies to align with your school's specific needs and goals along with new NC Computer Science Standards. Our Focus is On: Teacher Empowerment Providing comprehensive professional development to build capacity. Curriculum Enhancement Developing engaging, standards-aligned CS curriculum. Resource Optimization Maximizing the impact of equipment and materials. Data-Driven Results Measuring and improving program effectiveness. Our Proven Track Record Speaks For Itself: We've successfully partnered with 108 out of 179 districts in our home state, trained over 776 schools impacting more than 3,500 K-12 educators. READ MORE Resources Additional resources covered with grant funding or free for your use: Girls in STEM Club Playbook Boost CS access and engagement with our 12-week curriculum. Designed for grades 3-8, this playbook includes free lessons, activities, and a proven model for reaching underrepresented students. Applied AI Trail Guide Explore MindSpark's Applied AI (AAI) Trail Guide for insights into the commitments and beliefs shaping our AI practices. As a leader in AI education, the AAI Trail Guide is a testament to our expertise, reflecting our commitment to staying at the forefront of AI education.

Cohort 15 fellows of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program (BECLP) recently stepped into a room full of the program's own alumni: veteran early childhood providers and leaders now part of the Buell Early Childhood Leaders Network (BECLN). Each fellow had two minutes to make that room care about their work. For the previous 14 cohorts, fellows met BECLN only after they'd already graduated into it. Cohort 15 met them with action projects still half-built, the earliest introduction the program has made. Cohort 15's charge is audacious: radically rebuild Colorado's early childhood system so every child and family can access the care they need. Pitching that vision to the people already running those systems took nerve. Nerve was exactly the muscle this retreat existed to build. Fellows and Network members alike carry years of hard-won industry experience and credibility. Gathering experts in one room helped the Fellows refine their conversations. One line became more than a mantra by the end of the day: if you can say it clearly, you can sell it boldly. This retreat was a controlled burn: a chance to be challenged and pushed before the real rooms arrived. Every fellow in Cohort 15 will eventually stand in front of a funder or a skeptical parent who has no reason to say yes. The bias toward action starts here, in the willingness to pitch an unfinished argument and walk back into the room anyway.

The first MindSpark training district leader Paula Herraez attended was free. She showed up, spent a day learning computer science alongside other Pueblo educators, and went home that night doing something she hadn't planned. She stayed up building her school's first Hour of Code family night. It happened that year. "I don't think I've ever felt that sparked before," she said. That was in 2018. The energy she created moved through the district. One Pueblo City Schools high school teacher who attended MindSpark training with Paula watched her computer science enrollment grow from 8 students to nearly 50. Her next goal is to offer Computer Science A as an International Baccalaureate course, a credential her school had never offered before she got there. Another educator's teaching license tells the whole story: you can see the exact year MindSpark showed up because that's where the technology and CTE endorsements begin. Pueblo is Colorado's historic steel town, a community where 77% of students come from low-income households and 83.4% are students of color. When Colorado Fuel and Iron shuttered, the city's economic identity went with it. What replaced it hasn't come from outside — it's being built school by school, classroom by classroom, teacher by teacher. Pueblo City Schools (District 60) and MindSpark Learning have been working together since 2018 across 30 schools, 170-plus educators, and more than 200 hours of professional development. What started with Sphero robots and Hour of Code events has grown into a districtwide AI policy, K-12 computer science scope and sequence, 24 CS lessons embedded into elementary math, and a cohort of teachers now designing their own AI training systems for the district. The World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report projects that 59% of workers will need reskilling in the next five years. Pueblo isn't waiting for that moment. They've been preparing for it since before the report existed. None of this happened because a district bought a curriculum package. It happened because educators were treated as the architects of the work, not the recipients of it. Each year, MindSpark worked alongside district leaders, administrators, and educators to build on what came before, co-designing the next step rather than prescribing it: scaffolding computer science into core subjects, integrating AI into the tools teachers already use, and developing internal leaders who could train their peers. That compounding effect is what one-day professional development cannot produce. The leader who stayed up planning her first family night now mentors other educators. The district that started with 11 schools now has a replicable model other communities are watching. Sustained investment in educators doesn't just change classrooms. In Pueblo, it's changing what the next generation of this community believes is possible for them.

"That level of cognition puts you in competition with TikTok. That's a win." — Carrie Romero-Brugger, PBL facilitator, Grand Junction training In May 2026, MindSpark facilitated a Problem-Based Learning and STEM experience at District 51’s Summer Institute in Grand Junction, where 37 educators and administrators explored how AI can deepen inquiry, strengthen student engagement, and make learning more locally relevant. Most professional development follows a familiar script: educators gather, slides advance, information flows in one direction. This program rewrote that script. Participants weren’t passive recipients of ideas; they engaged as active problem-solvers, testing concepts, building understanding in real time, and experiencing learning the way their students do. The anchor problem was zebra mussel infestations spreading through Western Colorado waterways—a real, costly, and ecologically damaging invasive species issue. What initially looked like a narrow environmental case quickly expanded into a complex system of interconnected topics: ecology, hydrology, city infrastructure, agricultural water rights, and data science. Rather than receiving solutions, educators stepped into the role of problem-solvers. They questioned assumptions, tested ideas, and experienced firsthand what it feels like to learn through authentic inquiry. Working in groups, they then mapped the careers connected to that single challenge. Across cohorts, they identified 12+ career pathways per classroom: ecologists, hydrologists, engineers, microbiologists, parks and wildlife officers, data analysts, aquatic biologists, farmers, city planners, and more, all emerging from one well-framed local problem. That’s not a career fair. It’s what happens when learning starts with something real. And we know it worked, because they measured it. During PBL activities, educators monitored their own cognitive shifts in real time, noting when they moved between problem-solving and 21st-century skills like collaboration, systems thinking, and communication. On average, they were switching 2.4 times per minute. A mental gear change every 30 seconds. When a facilitator noted that level of engagement puts PBL in competition with TikTok, the room laughed, and then got quiet. Not because TikTok is the benchmark. But because that kind of sustained, active cognition is exactly what we're trying to create for students, and most of us rarely stop to measure whether we're actually achieving it. As D51 has rural schools and limited time, a thought partner to support grade-level teams and STEM coaches in building STEM PBL units is essential. AI was woven throughout the day in the same spirit, not as a standalone topic, but as a tool embedded in the work. Educators explored prompting strategies, used AI as a planning thought partner, and experienced a hyperlocal interactive learning tool built around the zebra mussel challenge facing Western Colorado waterways. The experience incorporated concepts such as exponential growth, Colorado Parks and Wildlife stewardship messaging, and the role of outdoor recreation in preventing the spread of invasive species, demonstrating how AI can help transform local issues into engaging, standards-aligned learning experiences. Then they built their own. In under 30 minutes, teachers used vibe coding tools to prototype interactive learning experiences rooted in their own communities. Real outputs that are usable in classrooms, built by people who had never written a line of code. The through line was the same as the zebra mussel problem: make it local, make it real, and watch what people are capable of. At the end of the day, educators were asked to put their "why" into words. No prompts or multiple choice. Just what they believed, after a day of living it. "We do PBL to engage kids in learning and building their identities as problem solvers, advocates, and people who enact change in the world." "We do PBL so that kids use their brains and fuel their hearts." "We do PBL because it offers students opportunities to show strength in many different areas and to develop important life skills." That kind of clarity doesn't come from a slide deck, it comes from experience. From being the learner, not just the teacher of the thing. When educators experience PBL themselves, they don't just understand it better. They own it. And that ownership is exactly what carries back into classrooms, into lesson plans, and eventually into the students who need it most. When educators experience the power of authentic learning for themselves, they don't just bring back new strategies, they bring back a new vision of what's possible for every student they teach. Interested in bringing PBL and AI integration professional development to your school or district? Contact MindSpark to learn more.