Information — Spark4Life

We are a non-profit organization located at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania focused on bridging the cultural and gender gaps in design and computing, with a special emphasis on supporting underprivileged children, particularly girls. Drawing from personal experiences of language barriers and cultural adaptation as a teenager in a new country, we understand the unique challenges faced by those in similar situations. Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where every child, regardless of background, can thrive in science and technology.

SparkLife, with its mission to bridge cultural and gender gaps in design and computing, especially for underprivileged children, addresses critical needs in education and equal opportunity. The challenges faced by these children are underscored by recent statistics:

Educational Impact from the Pandemic: Student learning has been significantly affected by the pandemic, with declines in math and reading proficiency, low high school graduation rates, and insufficient early learning enrollments.

Graduation Rates: During the 2019-2020 school year, 1 in 6 Hispanic, 1 in 5 Black, and 1 in 4 American Indian/Alaskan students in public schools did not graduate on time.

Proficiency in Core Subjects: In 2022, most 4th and 8th graders were not proficient in reading or math, with particularly high numbers among students of color.

These statistics highlight the importance of SparkLife's efforts to create a nurturing environment where every child, regardless of background, can thrive in science and technology. By focusing on those most affected by educational disparities, SparkLife contributes to building a more equitable society where every child has the opportunity to succeed.