STEM Classes for Boston Kids: MIT Spark Program

2/16/15 - By Tara D

We welcome guest contributor Cyndi Reitmeyer, BostonTechMom blogger, who tells us about a gem of a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) opportunity for middle schoolers. 

If you have a 7th or 8th grade child and live in the greater Boston area, then I want to make you aware of a one-weekend program called Spark, hosted by MIT’s Educational Studies Program (ESP). For a small flat fee, your child can take a wide variety of really unique classes in STEM subjects, taught on MIT’s campus by MIT students and community members. 

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I can tell you from experience, Spark is a terrific program. My daughter and her friends attended last year as 7th graders. The selection of classes offered was impressive, and there was a great deal of focus on STEM topics ranging from programming and electronics to math and science. In addition to STEM, kids could take classes in performing arts, language, and visual arts too. You can see last year’s classes here.

My daughter and her friends had a great time. They took classes in 3D modeling, math (the concept of infinity), and even learned the basics of spoken and written Elvish – something all good geeks should know! They are planning on attending again this year as 8th graders.

In addition to the learning experience, I thought it was great that my daughter got a chance to experience “college” for a weekend on MIT’s campus. My friend and I checked the girls in on Saturday morning and made sure that they got to their first class. After that, they were on their own until we picked them up at the end of the day. They did just fine getting around and were comfortable without us (having cell phones helped for coordination).

2015 Registration Details

  • Registration opens February 19, 2015 on the MIT ESP website
  • Program dates: Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, 2015
  • Location: MIT campus
  • Cost: $40 (financial aid is available) for 2 days of classes and lunch on both days

If you’re interested in enrolling your child, make an account now on the Educational Studies Program website to get an email announcement when registration opens. When your child registers, she should choose classes based on her interests. MIT will run a lottery and assign your student based on class preferences. Note: many classes do fill up, so your child may not get all the classes he desires, but he will have a chance to add and drop classes once he receives a schedule. 

In addition to Spark, MIT ESP also offers Splash for high schoolers, a seven-week program for 7-12th graders called HSSP, and other excellent enrichment programs for students in middle and high school. 


Cyndi Reitmeyer is a Boston-based marketer and mom of a daughter who, at a young age, showed an interest in science and engineering. On BostonTechMom, she shares ideas and activities to inspire science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning in kids.