SPARK has numerous evidence-based programs designed to improve health that target areas such as physical education, after school, early childhood and coordinated school health. SPARK aims to develop healthy lifestyles, movement knowledge, motor skills, and social and personal skills. SPARK programs include a package of highly active curriculum, training for teachers, extensive follow-up support and content-matched equipment that help to foster environmental and behavioral changes. SPARK curriculum is aligned with numerous state and national standards.
Intervention Target Behavior: Physical Activity and Reducing Screen Time
SNAP-Ed Strategies: Direct Education, Social Marketing, PSE Change
SPARK targets pre-K through 12th grade students. The program is designed to be implemented by teachers and recreation leaders in settings such as school physical education classes, recess, after school programs, and early child care settings.
Setting: Pre-k & Childcare, Schools
Age/Population Group: Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Race: All
Ethnicity: All
Each SPARK program includes a variety of components including project coordination from SPARK staff, curriculum containing lesson plans with hundreds of physical activities, training, content-matched equipment, assessment/evaluation tools, and lifetime follow-up support. SPARK also offers a SPARK Certification and units of college credit for completing 12 hours of SPARK training in a subject area. A variety of other resources and trainings to support program implementation including webinars, conferences/workshops, and an eNewsletter are also available. Those who purchase a SPARK curriculum set gain full access to additional content on SPARKfamily.org.
Intervention materials include a curriculum manual with hundreds of different activities, a music CD, SPARKfolio with additional resources and evaluation tools, and equipment needed to lead the activities in the SPARK manual. SPARKfamily.org provides access to additional resources, plus SPARK app. Information on how to order materials can be found here: https://www.gophersport.com/curriculum/spark
SPARK has been extensively evaluated and has had numerous publications present positive results. Evidence of achievement has been shown in a variety of areas, including:
- Physical activity
- Physical fitness
- Lesson context and teacher behavior
- Academic achievement
- Motor skill development
- Student enjoyment of the program
- Adiposity
- Long term effects/institutionalization
- https://sparkpe.org/what-is-spark/
A list of publications and research outcomes on SPARK can be found here: https://sparkpe.org/publications/outcomes
Evidence Base: Research-tested
Based on the SNAP-Ed Evaluation Framework, the following outcome indicators can be used to evaluate intervention progress and success.
| Readiness and Capacity - Short Term (ST) | Changes - Medium Term (MT) | Effectiveness and Maintenance - Long Term (LT) | Population Results (R) | |
| Individual | ST3 | MT3 | LT3 | |
| Environmental Settings | ST5, ST6, ST7 | MT6 | LT6, LT7, LT8, LT9, LT10, LT11 | |
| Sectors of Influence | MT12 |
SPARK provides evaluation tools and consultation on their use to organizations purchasing a SPARK program. Evaluation tools include:
- Formative/Needs Assessment
- Workshop Evaluation
- Program Evaluation
- Lesson Quality Assessments
Additional evaluation tools, such as tools for measuring moderate to vigorous physical activity and student assessments are also available: https://sparkpe.org/standards/assessment-tools/
Website: The SPARK website (https://www.sparkpe.org/) includes a variety of resources including information on the different SPARK programs, webinars and training opportunities, grant finder, and ordering instructions.
Contact Person(s):
Julie Frank
2525 Lemond St. SW Owatonna, MN 55060
Phone: 1-833-73-SPARK
Email: spark@sparkpe.org
*Updated as of August 25, 2023