DoDEA Pacific students ignite scientific curiosity at SPARK

Oct 23, 2025

Okinawa, Japan – Nearly 100 DoDEA Pacific science students from Korea, Japan, and Guam came together virtually on September 25, 2025, for SPARK – a kickoff event designed to launch their journey into a months-long research project.

Nearly 100 DoDEA Pacific science students from Korea, Japan, and Guam came together virtually on September 25, 2025, for SPARK – a kickoff event designed to launch their journey into a months-long research project. — SPARK was designed to broaden students’ perspectives and show them how science is applied beyond the classroom.

The STEM Program Advancing Research Knowledge (SPARK) event featured engaging sessions from industry professionals, including representatives from the OCPA turtle conservation group, an engineer involved in the Predator Drone project, and a cybersecurity operations specialist from Boeing. These experts shared real-world insights into scientific research and innovation, sparking curiosity and engagement among students.

“SPARK was designed to broaden students’ perspectives and show them how science is applied beyond the classroom,” said Far East Academics Coordinator Blake Sims. “It’s about helping them identify research gaps and inspiring them to pursue meaningful scientific inquiry.”

Participants explored engineering and research topics aligned with their interests, began collaborating with peers and advisors, and practiced foundational experimentation and iteration techniques. The hands-on activities gave students a taste of the rigor and excitement involved in conducting high-level research.