TECHburgher :: Putting some sizzle in the Pittsburgh technology sector.

Spark, a new initiative of The Sprout Fund, will donate $37,000 to local projects that help connect children to new technologies.  Spark is a new funding group which focuses on the growth of innovation in the children of southwestern Pennsylvania. Spark’s projects connect everyday life and technology in a way that stimulates the children to learn and play at the same time. The group chose four projects to invest the money:

• Message from Me— from the CREATE Lab at CMU—Is a communication system that allows children and parents to share daily experiences using new communication technologies. These include cell phones, the internet, and digital photography. ($15,000).
• Geocaching Curriculum—from Venture Outdoors—An innovative classroom atmosphere that trains teachers and child workers to operate GPS units. The hope is for more outdoor activities and real-life treasure hunts. ($7,330).
• Story Box Project—from SLB Radio Productions, Inc.—A classroom project that work with pre-kindergarten children at two Pittsburgh Public Schools to create interactive story telling. Story Box Project will allow students to tell original stories with electronic devices. The electronic devices will allow students’ narrative audio recordings and original artwork to play along with their personal story. ($7,600).
• Light Education—at the Mattress Factory—This project is yearlong that uses the museum’s James Turrell light installations to teach elementary school students the concept and properties of light with scientific inquiry and experimentation.  The museum will entice the kids to learn about science through the light show’s artistic expression. ($7,500).

Spark will offer three more funding cycles in 2009, investing a total of $200,000. These projects are in hope that they will transform our region into one of the best places to raise children with a great environment for kids to live, learn, and play.

For more information on Spark and their projects please visit www.spark.sproutfund.org.