BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:IEEE vTools.Events//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=2SU;BYMONTH=3 TZNAME:CDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20261101T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=1SU;BYMONTH=11 TZNAME:CST END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTAMP:20260812T012232Z UID:FE626753-F9DD-4E25-9F09-1E1189A46E40 DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T083000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20261010T120000 DESCRIPTION:STEM Spark! is a dynamic half-day summit designed to ignite cur iosity and inspire innovation among middle school students (grades 5–12) . To be held on Saturday\, October 10th\, the event offers a vibrant mix o f hands-on workshops\, panel discussion\, and interactive exhibits that hi ghlight real-world applications of science\, technology\, engineering\, an d math. With carefully designed workshops\, STEM Spark! aims to provide ag e-appropriate\, engaging experiences that empower students to explore futu re STEM pathways and connect with mentors and professionals who are shapin g the world through discovery and creativity.\n\nAgenda: \nTime\n\nType\n\ nDetails\n\n8:30 – 9:00 AM\n\nWelcome\n\nCheck-in & Welcome Activities\n \nStudents arrive\, check in\, and receive color-coded name tags by grade group. Icebreaker STEM trivia and tabletop challenges.\n\n9:00 – 9:45 AM \n\nPanel\n\nPanel Discussion\n\nA panel of [3–4] college students or yo ung STEM professionals sharing personal journeys. Focus on early challenge s\, building confidence\, and the value of curiosity.\n\n9:45 – 10:30 AM \n\nWorkshop\n\nWorkshop Block 1\n\nStudents split into grade-appropriate workshops (see breakdown below).\n\nMiddle School Workshop A: [Buoyancy & Fluid Dynamics Workshop] - Anya Allen\nMiddle School Workshop B: [Powering the World (Energy & Hardware)] - Sasidhar Tadanki\n\nHigh School Workshop C:\n\n[AI Workshop ] - Spandana Koradonbi\n\nHigh School Workshop D:\n\n[ Astronomy Workshop] - Mike Anderson\n\n10:30 – 10:45 AM\n\nBreak\n\nBrea k & Exhibits\n\nSnacks provided. Demo stations with hands-on exhibits (e.g .\, robotics\, VR\, science demos). Exhibits dependent on sponsor support. \n\n10:45 – 11:30 AM\n\nWorkshop\n\nWorkshop Block 2\n\nStudents split i nto grade-appropriate workshops (see breakdown below).\n\nMiddle School Wo rkshop B: [Powering the World (Energy & Hardware)] - Sasidhar Tadanki\nMid dle School Workshop A: [Buoyancy & Fluid Dynamics Workshop] - Anya Allen\n \nHigh School Workshop D:\n\n[Astronomy Workshop] - Mike Anderson\n\nHigh School Workshop C:\n\n[AI Workshop ] - Spandana Koradonbi\n\n11:30 – 11: 45 PM\n\nBreak\n\nBreak & Exhibits\n\nSnacks provided. Demo stations with hands-on exhibits (e.g.\, robotics\, VR\, science demos). Exhibits depende nt on sponsor support.\n\n11:45 – 12:00 PM\n\nClosing\n\nWrap-Up & Prize Raffle\n\nQuick wrap-up\, recognition of volunteers and sponsors\, prize drawing. Students complete short feedback cards.\n\n2015 S Peoria St\, Chi cago\, IL 60608\, Chicago\, Illinois\, United States LOCATION:2015 S Peoria St\, Chicago\, IL 60608\, Chicago\, Illinois\, Unite d States ORGANIZER:jiaqichen@ieee.org SEQUENCE:17 SUMMARY:STEM Spark! 2026: Invent the Future URL;VALUE=URI:https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/572265 X-ALT-DESC:Description: <br /><p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-ef09db18-7f ff-5706-2db2-c6c7047f846f">STEM Spark! is a dynamic half-day summit design ed to ignite curiosity and inspire innovation among middle school students (grades 5&ndash\;12). To be held on&nbsp\; Saturday\, October 10th\, the event offers a vibrant mix of hands-on workshops\, panel discussion\,&nbsp \; and interactive exhibits that highlight real-world applications of scie nce\, technology\,&nbsp\; engineering\, and math. With carefully designed workshops\, STEM Spark! aims to provide age-appropriate\, engaging experie nces that empower students to explore future STEM pathways and connect wit h mentors and professionals who are shaping the world through discovery an d creativity.</strong></p><br /><br />Agenda: <br /><div dir="ltr" align=" left">\n<table><colgroup><col width="147"><col width="80"><col width="198" ><col width="200"></colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Time</p>\ n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Type</p>\n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir="ltr" >Details</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">8:30 &ndash\; 9:00 AM </p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Welcome</p>\n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p d ir="ltr">Check-in &amp\; Welcome Activities</p>\n<p dir="ltr">Students arr ive\, check in\, and receive color-coded name tags by grade group. Icebrea ker STEM trivia and tabletop challenges.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">9:00 &ndash\; 9:45 AM</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Panel</p>\ n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir="ltr">Panel Discussion</p>\n<p dir="ltr"> A panel of [3&ndash\;4] college students or young STEM professionals shari ng personal journeys. Focus on early challenges\, building confidence\, an d the value of curiosity.&nbsp\;&nbsp\;</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowsp an="3">\n<p dir="ltr">9:45 &ndash\; 10:30 AM</p>\n</td>\n<td rowspan="3">\ n<p dir="ltr">Workshop</p>\n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir="ltr">Workshop Block 1</p>\n<p dir="ltr">Students split into grade-appropriate workshops (see breakdown below).</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Middle School Workshop A: [Buoyancy &amp\; Fluid Dynamics Workshop] - Anya Allen </p>\n</td>\n<td>Middle School Workshop B: [Powering the World (Energy &am p\; Hardware)] - Sasidhar Tadanki</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Hi gh School Workshop C:&nbsp\;</p>\n<p dir="ltr">[AI Workshop ] - Spandana K oradonbi</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">High School Workshop D:</p>\n<p di r="ltr">[Astronomy Workshop] - Mike Anderson</p>\n<strong id="docs-interna l-guid-e37f6113-7fff-fe21-2956-a85d65db0977"></strong></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n <td>\n<p dir="ltr">10:30 &ndash\; 10:45 AM</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr"> Break</p>\n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir="ltr">Break &amp\; Exhibits</p> \n<p dir="ltr">Snacks provided. Demo stations with hands-on exhibits (e.g. \, robotics\, VR\, science demos). Exhibits dependent on sponsor support.< /p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td rowspan="3">\n<p dir="ltr">10:45 &ndash\; 11: 30 AM</p>\n</td>\n<td rowspan="3">\n<p dir="ltr">Workshop</p>\n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir="ltr">Workshop Block 2</p>\n<p dir="ltr">Students spl it into grade-appropriate workshops (see breakdown below).</p>\n</td>\n</t r>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Middle School Workshop B: [Powering the World (Energy &amp\; Hardware)] - Sasidhar Tadanki</p>\n</td>\n<td>Middle Schoo l Workshop A: [Buoyancy &amp\; Fluid Dynamics Workshop] - Anya Allen</td>\ n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">High School Workshop D:</p>\n<p dir="ltr" >[Astronomy Workshop] - Mike Anderson</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">High School Workshop C:&nbsp\;</p>\n<p dir="ltr">[AI Workshop ] - Spandana Kora donbi</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">11:30 &ndash\; 11:45 PM< /p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Break</p>\n</td>\n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir= "ltr">Break &amp\; Exhibits</p>\n<p dir="ltr">Snacks provided. Demo statio ns with hands-on exhibits (e.g.\, robotics\, VR\, science demos). Exhibits dependent on sponsor support.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr" >11:45 &ndash\; 12:00 PM</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir="ltr">Closing</p>\n</td> \n<td colspan="2">\n<p dir="ltr">Wrap-Up &amp\; Prize Raffle</p>\n<p dir=" ltr">Quick wrap-up\, recognition of volunteers and sponsors\, prize drawin g. Students complete short feedback cards.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</ table>\n</div>\n<p>&nbsp\;</p> END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR