SPARK is an acronym for Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge. SPARK is a unique experiential learning opportunity -- developed at the University of Guelph -- for students to gain communications experience. Through SPARK, students acquire marketable skills and knowledge that they can take into the professional world.
SPARK stories are written with a journalistic approach, professionally edited and reviewed by researchers for accuracy before being released.
Since its inception more than 30 years ago with two students, to the present where it now involves up to 10 participants per year, SPARK has developed a niche for making science understandable to the public and helping develop a culture that is supportive of research.
For more information on the program contact Cate Willis, Project and Communications Officer, at cawillis@uoguelph.ca [1]. If you are interested in applying to become a SPARK writer, watch for job postings on the Experience Guelph [2] website.