In the majestic state of North Carolina, where blue-ridged mountains touch the sky and coastal beaches sprinkle in the sun, lives a motley crowd of young inventors, scientists, engineers, and artists. These aren’t your average kids. No, siree! They are the STEAM/STEM whiz kids, equipped with a thirst for knowledge and a knack for creativity. Now, let's introduce our cool imaginary character, Professor Beakerhead. With bright, twinkling eyes hidden behind thick goggles, eccentric hair that seems to defy gravity, and a bubbling laugh that echoes through his wacky, gadget-filled laboratory, he is the guiding star of our STEAM/STEM kids. Professor Beakerhead, with a passion for pickles on his pizza and his mismatched socks, is the ideal mentor for our young wizards of NC. These NC kids can design robots that dance, build boats that float in mid-air, concoct potions that change colors, and engineer recycled-art masterpieces that would make Picasso jealous. They aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, whether that means digging up fossils in the Appalachian Mountains or discovering new species of crabs on the Outer Banks. Their minds are like sponges, soaking up information about the world around them and turning it into fabulous creations. But don't let their intellect fool you! They love a good laugh as much as the next kid. Prank wars often ensue with whoopee cushions under seats and invisible ink on reports. The favorite, however, is when they program their robots to serve Professor Beakerhead his least favorite dessert - broccoli ice cream! The STEAM/STEM kids live in a world where learning is an adventure, laughter is the soundtrack, and the possibilities are as wide as the North Carolina sky.
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What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.

Parents looking for an outdoor summer camp experience for their children should consider signing them up for the Summer Garden Camps at the Arboretum. Campers will get to spend the week unplugged, learning, creating, playing and exploring the beautiful and diverse gardens. With camps for children from preschoolers to rising eighth graders, there’s something for everyone! Campers will gain an appreciation for nature while making friends and having fun. From playing games in the garden to exploring the unique attractions of the Arboretum, campers will find plenty of activities that will keep them engaged and entertained. The Summer Garden Camps provide a wonderful opportunity for campers to take a break from their screens and immerse themselves in nature. It’s a great way for children to learn, grow and make memories with friends while exploring the beauty of the Arboretum.

With our LIVE instructors, your child will have the opportunity to interact with their tutor in real time, allowing for more effective learning. Our online tutoring covers all academic areas from Kindergarten to 12th grade. We work with your child to develop a personalized academic plan to help them reach their goals. Our LIVE instructors are highly qualified and are dedicated to providing the best learning experience for your child. Our online tutoring is designed to provide your child with the highest quality instruction tailored to their needs. With our LIVE instructors, your child will have the opportunity to interact with their tutor in real time and work through their specific challenges. We strive to provide the best learning experience for your child so they can reach their academic goals.


At the Design Lab, we believe that design is a skill that can be applied to everyday life, and we are devoted to providing design education experiences to benefit the K-12 community and beyond. Our collaborative, interdisciplinary programs and resources are designed to give students and educators access to the tools they need to succeed. We are proud to have formed active partnerships with College of Design faculty, students, and alumni, in addition to our vibrant local community. Through these partnerships, we are able to provide immersive, engaging experiences that promote the development of design skills. Ultimately, our goal is to empower people to create a better future through design. The Design Lab strives to teach design as a way of thinking, and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to develop their design skills. We are dedicated to helping people think and create in innovative ways, and to use design to shape the future.