Spark Grants

The student-run coffee cart has been fueling student entrepreneurship and teamwork. With this grant, Brewed Awakening can now double the excitement by adding a second espresso machine. This coffee cart project lets students run a real-world coffee business from start to finish. Students gain skills in math, financial literacy, business and customer service, all while brewing up pride and confidence in their achievement—one cup at a time!

Tanglen Elementary School - Lisa Schmid and Gretchen Pass

Get ready… because here comes the ChompSaw! These kid-safe electric cardboard cutters make building projects easier and more fun, unleashing creativity at Alice Smith for every K-5 student. Students will dive into inquiry-based learning, designing and creating everything from bridges to robots, sparking innovation and critical thinking. With this tool, every child can turn imagination into reality, fueling a lifelong love of learning and discovery!

Alice Smith Elementary School - Jillian Myers and Sabrina Schmidtke

By giving non-verbal students the power to communicate with their own unique voice, through personalized voice-output switches, this grant allows students to express themselves, make choices, and connect with peers like never before. Imagine the joy and confidence as students realize they can be heard, fostering true belonging and transforming school culture. We’re not just giving kids a tool—we’re giving them the power to be seen and celebrated for who they are.

Glen Lake Elementary School - Sher Unruh-Friesen and Krista LaPlant

This grant will expand North Middle School’s student ambassadors’ leadership experience beyond the classroom. Field trips will teach empathy, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills. From volunteering at dog rescues to leading elementary activities and conquering team-building challenges, students will grow as leaders and global citizens. This project’s goal is to spark confidence, connection, and a ripple effect of positive change throughout the school and community.

North Middle School - Kiara Stonebraker

By bringing author-illustrator Matt Eicheldinger, known for his humorous and relatable Matt Sprouts series, to Glen Lake, this grant aims to ignite a passion for storytelling, creativity, and persistence in every third and fourth grader. Students will learn lifelong skills in writing and art while discovering their unique voices by crafting personal stories and illustrations. This will inspire creative habits and resilience, creating a lasting experience they can carry throughout their lives.

Glen Lake Elementary - Karin Brinkoff and Colette Kastner

It’s time to revolutionize CREW (advisory time) at West Middle School with student-driven activities that teach real-life skills—resume writing, budgeting, job applications, and more—making learning relevant and empowering for every eighth grader. Hands-on activities and engaging challenges will boost critical thinking, collaboration, and confidence, preparing students for success beyond the classroom.

West Middle School - Kim Campbell

Hopkins art teachers need the same tools as their students in order to provide hands-on direction. Hopkins scholars use touchscreen devices like iPads and Chromebooks to facilitate learning, while teachers are issued MacBooks. By putting iPads in the hands of arts educators at North and West Middle Schools and Hopkins High School, this grant gets teachers and students on the same page with their tools. These iPads will unlock teachers' ability to fuel creativity in the classroom with hands-on examples and live demonstrations that make learning dynamic and relevant.

North Middle School, West Middle School, and Hopkins High School- Falyn McCotter and Scott Ackermann

Harley Hopkins plans to lead the way in early childhood innovation by connecting families and therapists through the YourSteps Health App—customized video playlists that make therapy strategies accessible, equitable, and effective for every child. This empowers caregivers with trusted, high-quality resources that nurture development, confidence, and collaboration in everyday routines. Hopkins will be the first district to pilot this cutting-edge approach, setting a new standard for family-centered learning and support.

Harley Hopkins - Katherine Wacker and Meg Nalezny

Join the journey to transform Hopkins High School into career-themed academies that prepare every student for college, careers, and life—aligning education with community and employer needs. This grant supports hands-on collaboration with Ford Next Generation Leadership (NGL) coaches, bringing together teachers, parents, students, and business partners to envision what this innovative approach to secondary education might look like here in Hopkins. Together, we’ll build a high school where every student can reach their full potential and graduate ready for anything!

Hopkins High School - Kara LeVahn and Jesse Theirl

Music educators are on a mission to (literally) elevate student creativity with portable stage platforms and acoustic shells, giving small ensembles, DJs, and solo performers a professional space to shine in the Hopkins High School mall. This grant celebrates diverse musical talents, increases visibility, and fosters a sense of belonging for every student artist. Watch as music education comes alive, inspiring expression, collaboration, and pride in every performance!

Hopkins High School - Jonathan Feulner and Nora Tycast

Ignite a passion for reading, writing, and empathy in every North Middle School sixth grader with a copy of J vs. K by Kwame Alexander and Jerry Craft, an engaging, illustrated novel about  lovable losers who have hilarious adventures. The books focus on creative expression and healthy competition and they will anchor a year-long Archive Project. Students will build interdisciplinary portfolios that reflect who they are and how they see the world. This grant ensures equitable access to powerful storytelling, fostering deep engagement, perspective-taking, and a culture of belonging.

North Middle School - Angela Wilcox and Laura Jensen

Providing band instruments to the North Middle School students who need them most breaks down barriers and opens doors to music education. This grant creates equitable access, allowing every child to experience the joy, creativity, and teamwork of making music together. Band becomes a family where every student is valued, inspired, and empowered to grow. The result is a vibrant and inclusive community, built through the power of music!

North Middle School - Kelli Heckman and Emily Cox

Transition Plus students with disabilities deserve to thrive beyond high school, which is why we’re empowering them through high-quality, engaging curriculum and career readiness tools. NextUp’s transition curriculum and the Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS)’s online career exploration tools connect learning to real-world goals, building confidence, creativity, and independence in education, employment, and daily life. This grant transforms possibilities into reality, helping every student discover their strengths and chart a path to their best future!

Transition Plus - Sarah Kolman-Keen and Kevin Kahle