By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

SUNY Broome’s campus was unquestionably brighter on Thursday, January 24, 2024, thanks to the “SPARK” of over 2,000 eighth graders from across the region. SPARK is an annual immersive career exploration event devoted to highlighting the educational and professional opportunities available throughout the Southern Tier. Geared specifically for eighth-graders, the event’s goal is to spark each student’s interest in fields ranging from healthcare, to engineering, to public service, to skilled trades, and beyond. 

SPARK is the result of a unique collaboration between SUNY Broome, Greater Binghamton Education Outreach Program (GBEOP), Broome-Tioga BOCES, Broome-Tioga Workforce, and Leadership Alliance. Together, the group formulated a plan to tackle the region’s growing workforce concerns of attracting and retaining local talent through early career exploration for pre-high school students. 

SPARK 2024 served as Dr. Tony D. Hawkins’ first large-scale middle school campus event as SUNY Broome’s President. “We hope that the students’ fond memories of their visit to SUNY Broome will encourage them to return to us as college students as they pursue their academic and career goals,” said Hawkins. 

Throughout the day, students learned how to power electricity to their homes via a live line demo from NYSEG, prepped for surgery with Lourdes, and installed drywall with the NASRCC Local 277 Carpenters. They combatted cyber fraud with M&T Bank, built potato batteries with iM3NY, and operated heavy machinery with Smith Site Development. 

Fast Facts about SPARK

  • Over 2,000 eighth-grade students from 20 regional districts attended the event. 
  • Students participated in over 120 hands-on activities. 
  • Over 30 SUNY Broome faculty members developed and presented career exploration activities.
  • Over 50 SUNY Broome faculty, staff, and students volunteered to coordinate sessions, serve as tour guides, and manage logistics. 
  • Over 45 of the region’s top employers partnered with SUNY Broome to facilitate activities. 
  • Industry sponsors: M&T Bank, Lourdes, LaBella, and BAE Systems

In addition to facilitating hands-on learning activities, SUNY Broome faculty and our industry partners used their sessions to provide a comprehensive overview of their respective fields. Students learned about the education levels required for each professional role and corresponding average salaries. They were also given real-world examples of in-demand occupations available within the region. 

To learn more about SPARK or other opportunities for middle and high school students to engage with SUNY Broome, contact Brittney Richardson, Enrollment Management Coordinator, at richardsonbn@sunybroome.edu.