SPARK

NSERC's SPARK (Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge) program was launched in 1999 at ten universities across Canada. Through SPARK, which is based on the University of Guelph's highly successful program, students with an aptitude for communications are recruited, trained and paid to write stories based on the NSERC-supported research at participating universities.

The NSERC SPARK Program Description and accompanying SPARK Guide provide comprehensive information for universities on how to apply for and manage a SPARK program.

SPARK News

Four More Universities Add a SPARK
Contact, June 2004 (PDF format – 116kb)

New SPARKs
Contact, June 2003 (PDF format – 165kb)

A SPARKling Success
Contact, Summer 2002 (PDF format – 116kb)

More SPARKs Set to Fly!
Contact, Summer 2001 (PDF format – 151kb)

SPARK Contacts

NSERC SPARK Coordinator

University SPARK Mentors

SPARK Pioneer

University of Guelph's SPARK Program

SPARK Stories

2004

McGill University

• The Air We Breathe
• Exploring a Watery Grave
• Branching Out with Math
• Face-Off Against Injury

Ryerson University

• Oil Research That Is Out Of This World

University of Waterloo

• Lakes Aren't Recovering Quickly from Acid Rain Damage, UW Researcher Finds

2003

Brock University

• Brock Microbiologist Has Largest Collection of Insect-Pathogenic Fungi in Canada
• The Shape of Things To Come
• Exploring the Human Brain At a Snail's Pace

McGill University

• Solutions Crystallize for Malaria Research

Ryerson University

• Manipulating Bacteria and Their Behaviour
• Mercury an Arctic Mystery
• Healthier Bones Focus of Research

Archives

• University of Alberta
• Brock University
• University of Calgary
• Carleton University
• Université Laval
• University of Manitoba
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• McGill University
• Nova Scotia Agricultural College
• University of Regina
• Ryerson University
• Saint Mary’s University
• University of Saskatchewan
• University of Victoria
• University of Waterloo