SPARK (Sensory Practices for Advancing Reasoning in Kids)

Community Need: Elementary students need accessible, sensory-based math materials and training that enable their academic and social success.

Target Audience and Location: Neurodivergent and general education classroom elementary students and teachers at Stone Lakes Elementary School in Orlando, FL.

Vision: We envision a future where every elementary student confidently understands and enjoys math in inclusive classrooms where every child succeeds.

Mission: We equip elementary schools with sensory-based math resources and connect teachers with training opportunities so that classrooms and learning are more accessible for neurodivergent students.

Project Description: Scholar Nathan Kwok and educator JulieAnne Halsey co-founded SPARK, a school-based initiative that partners with Stone Lakes Elementary to design and pilot sensory-based math resources for classroom use. The project brings together a student leadership team, elementary educators, and community partners to develop hands-on math activities, assemble reusable classroom kits, and create lesson guides that support inclusive instruction. Working closely with teachers and instructional coaches, the team is implementing activities, gathering feedback, and refining materials to strengthen classroom engagement and support long-term use across multiple learning environments.

As a student leader, Nathan is most proud of “establishing a partnership with a local elementary school and a strong team that is enthusiastic and has a lot of great ideas.”