Spark Frequently-Asked Questions

Where are my classes?
How do I register?
When is Spark?
Can I come to only part of Spark?
Should I be getting emails from Spark?
Cost and Financial Aid
Who is eligible for Spark?
I'm in sixth grade (or younger!)
What can parents do during Spark?
Is there food at Spark?
Getting around campus
Where do I park?
Special Arrangements
Insurance

Where are my classes? You signed up for classes. Where are they? After you check in, you'll get a schedule that includes both class times and room numbers. Morning check in will be in Dupont.

How do I register? Registration for Spark 2013 is no longer opened. You can change your schedule by going to Class Changes (room 4-163) at any time during the day of Spark.

When is Spark? Spark 2013 will occur on March 16. Classes run from 9am to 7pm. You can take as many or as few classes as you'd like during the program, so there’s no problem if you can’t make it to the whole day. (Note that the cost of the program remains fixed per student.) You should arrive one hour before your first class to register. Students can purchase meal tickets to eat lunch at either 12 noon or 1 pm; details are below.

Can I come for only part of Spark? Yes, you can come for as much or as little of the weekend as you like. When you enroll, only specify preferences for classes during the times you plan to be at Spark.

Should I be getting emails from Spark? Yes! After you register for Spark, you should get a confirmation email. Unfortunately, sometimes our emails are marked as spam, and don't go through. If you don't get a confirmation email, you should try the following:

1. Check what email address your ESP account is configured for. Sometimes, people mistype their email address, or type in their parents' email instead of their own. You can check what address you have on file.
2. Check that the email was not caught in a spam folder.
3. If you still can't find the email, email us individually, and we'll send you a confirmation email. Also, make @esp.mit.edu an allowed source.
4. Performing step 3 will not guarantee that you get all of our emails - our emails keep getting caught in spam filters, and there is very little we can do about it. You should check the Spark page on the website regularly to make sure you're up to date. We will announce sent emails on the website.

How much does Spark cost?

Spark 2013 costs $30, with generous financial aid available (see below). Online payment is closed; students can pay on the day of the program, in cash or with a check made out to MIT ESP.

Students may cancel their registration at any point before the program and receive a full refund.

Financial aid is available for all students on free or reduced lunch at their school. It is also available by application for other students with need who are not on free or reduced lunch. Students will be asked if they want to apply for financial aid when they register. Most students who apply receive financial aid. We understand that many families are suffering during the recession, and will be happy to waive the fee if the fee would prevent you from coming to Spark.

Who is eligible for Spark?

Spark is open to all students enrolled in grades 7 through 12. However, MIT’s campus is large and there will not be teachers escorting students from class to class. If you do not feel comfortable walking around the MIT campus on your own, please consider waiting until next year.

For students who do not have a grade (homeschooled students, for example), the minimum age requirement is 11 years.

I'm in sixth grade (or younger!): Our policy is that students must be 7th grade or older to attend our programs. (If homeschooled, please calculate your age based on your expected graduation year.) Additionally, all students must be at least 11 years old or older to attend our programs.

We do not make exceptions to this policy.

Please understand that we have created this policy after much careful thought and deliberation. We have to take into account the needs of our teachers and students first and foremost. Older students may not be comfortable being in a class with another student many years younger than them. In addition, our teachers may not be prepared to deal with a much younger student in both their approach to the teaching material and supervision. Finally, there is a fairness issue. Many of our programs are very oversubscribed, and allowing a student to attend before 7th grade gives them more years of our programs than any other student, even if they are completely mature and ready for the program.

For more information, please click here.

What can parents do during Spark?

We are very grateful to the many parents who drive their students to Spark and are generally supportive of our programs. During Spark, we will have a parent lounge with coffee, light snacks and free wi-fi. This year, Spark will will have a parent lounge in building 32 (Stata Center). We also encourage parents to see the sights in Cambridge and Boston. A list of popular activities and places to eat can be found here.

What is Spark's relationship with HSSP?

HSSP and Spark have no direct relationship. Students do not have to go to Spark to participate in HSSP, and HSSP classes do not run on the day of Spark.

Is there food at Spark?

Students can purchase lunch through us for $5 when they pay for Spark. A limited number of tickets will be sold at Help Desk during Spark. Students may also bring their own lunch, or eat at one of the restaurants on campus.

Financial aid students will receive a free lunch ticket. Financial aid students must pick up the ticket at the Information Booth in Lobby 10.

Getting Around Campus

MIT's campus is fairly large, but you should not have any problems finding your way around. This year, we have made sure that all Spark classrooms are in close proximity to Lobby 10. We'll give you a map of campus when you check in, and there should be plenty of signs around to help you find your way. MIT is also full of friendly people who you can ask for directions. All teachers and volunteers will be wearing Spark t-shirts and most will be able to assist you in finding your way around.

In addition, we will have Spark Security patrolling all of the hallways where Spark classrooms are located. The main purpose of Security is to help you; all our security people are MIT students who know the campus well and can help you find what you're looking for. They are also all in radio contact with our main desk, so they can answer any of your questions as well.

Where do I park?

Spark will have limited parking available.

The Kendall Square T stop is right at the edge of main campus, and the #1 Bus stops right in front of Lobby 7 (MIT's main entrance), so we encourage you to take public transportation if it is convenient for you.

Special Arrangements: If your child has any physical handicaps, please inform us ahead of time so we can make suitable arrangements (a volunteer to lead them around, or a large-print map for visual impairments). If your child has any other special needs, please inform us. While we will work with your child to the best of our ability, our teachers are college students and are not trained in how to handle children with special needs. If you have any questions, take a look at our page or email us at esp-spark@mit.edu.

Insurance: Starting 2012, all ESP programs require students to have medical insurance valid in the state of Massachusetts. This means that your health insurance will cover health care costs at Massachusetts facilities in the unlikely event that medical care is necessary during Spark. If you have questions about your particular situation, email esp-spark-medical@mit.edu. There are no exceptions to this policy.

If you do not currently have medical insurance, you can obtain temporary travel insurance, which suffices if it covers medical emergencies.

For more information, check out our medical FAQ.