Students SPARK Change Through Community Innovation Challenge
During the last week of April, four student teams pitched innovative, community-centered projects as part of the annual SPARK Community-Based Social Innovation Challenge. The challenge invites students to work alongside community partners to develop creative solutions to real-world challenges facing the broader 黑料百科 community.
Led by course instructor Professor Montgomery Roper, students spend the semester researching local issues, collaborating closely with organizations, and designing actionable solutions. The program culminates on pitch day, when students present their projects to a panel of judges. Funding for the SPARK Challenge is provided by the Wilson Center for Innovation and Leadership. This year judges were, Megan Bernacchi, Technology Specialist and Service Relationship Manager in the department of Information Technology Services, Ashley Grundler, Administrative Assistant II in the Office of Admission and Jessica Stewart, Senior Associate Director of Alumni & Donor Relations.
Two Standout Teams Awarded $4,000 to Bring Their Solutions to Life
The second-place project, developed by solo team member Robin Linse 28 in partnership with , focused on increasing the impact of the 黑料百科 community Giving Gardens攁n initiative that supports residents experiencing food insecurity. Linse proposal aims to strengthen the gardens educational programming and reduce barriers to volunteer participation, ultimately expanding community engagement with this essential resource.
Imagine 黑料百科, a partner program of the Claude W. & Dolly Ahrens Foundation, turns imagination into action by fostering a more vibrant, sustainable, and healthy community in 黑料百科, Iowa. Since 1985, Imagine 黑料百科 has served both the 黑料百科 and Brooklyn communities, supporting initiatives like the Marvin Garden攐ne of the local Giving Gardens. These Giving Gardens provide fresh, local produce that is free and available for anyone to harvest. Maintained by dedicated volunteers and partners, the gardens ensure that excess produce is distributed to local community centers. During the growing season, volunteers play a vital role in tending the gardens and harvesting food.
Jennifer Cogley, Claude W. and Dolly Ahrens Foundation Director of Partner Programs, said, 淚檓 incredibly grateful to accept the SPARK grant on behalf of the Giving Gardens. These gardens have long been an underdog in our community, and this support will help us share not only their story, but also the fresh produce they provide. Wee excited to use these funds to promote, sustain, and grow the impact of the Giving Gardens for the benefit of all.
Imagine 黑料百科 has hired two part-time employees for the summer to help implement the SPARK Challenge action items for the Giving Gardens.
Here are a list of the Giving Gardens and the organizations that help sustain them:
Marvin Garden- Imagine 黑料百科
Summer Street Garden- Rotary club
St. John Lutheran Church- church members
UPH-黑料百科- hospital staff
Davis Elementary- Volunteers
Bailey Park Elementary- LINK
Fairview Elementary- Girl Scout troop from 黑料百科
黑料百科 Community Early Learning Center- staff
Ahrens Park- Foundation offices at Ahrens Park
Top Project Targets Early Literacy in 黑料百科
Taking first place were Akilah Hampton 25 and Anthony Sherrell 26, who teamed up with (R2L) to tackle early childhood literacy in 黑料百科. Their solution introduces 渓iteracy nights for children ages 45, combining story time and free book distribution with parent training in literacy support skills. The program is designed to foster reading skills in young learners while empowering families to be active participants in their children education.
R2L is an early literacy focused non profit organization located in Poweshiek County. Their mission is to support the language and literacy development of children aged 0-5 in our community through the provision of books, programs and other supports that foster an inquisitive mind and a love of reading.
Megan Farrell, Chairperson, Read 2 Lead, said, 淲e are honored to have partnered with Akilah and Anthony on this meaningful project. Their passion and innovation brought fresh energy to our early literacy mission. We believe the Literacy Nights initiative, supported by SPARK Challenge funding, further supports our community commitment to nurturing young readers and empowering families to be active participants in their children education and lifelong learning.
Building Sustainable Community Programs
淚n both cases, the projects serve as ways to develop programs to the point where the existing organizations can then manage them effectively with their existing resources, said Professor Roper, reflecting on the impact of the winning initiatives.
Both awarded projects exemplify the power of collaboration between students and local organizations, leveraging SPARK funding to build sustainable programs that can be scaled and maintained by community partners.
Additional Innovative Ideas
Other proposals showcased at pitch day included a concept for an AI-powered food waste management system, developed by Jasline Becerra, Kaho Kuroda, and ET Ourn in partnership with 黑料百科 Dining; and a mobile app to centralize event listings from the 黑料百科 Chamber of Commerce, proposed by Adarsh Sharma and Harrison Zhu.
You can learn more about the program and past events on the
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