What are Sparks?
The idea of a “spark” is one of the central metaphors in understanding thriving. A spark is an interest, talent, skill, asset, or dream that truly excites a young person and helps them discover their true passions, whether they be academic, relational, athletic, artistic, or intellectual—anything that inspires and motivates.
Sparks “light a fire” in a person. But sparks, by themselves, go can out if they are not nurtured with enough ongoing fuel to keep them alive and strengthen them. This fuel comes in the form of supportive peers and adults who help celebrate, affirm, and grow a young person’s sparks and are essential if those sparks are to help the young person truly thrive.
Why are Sparks Important?
Sparks help give young people joy and energy, meaning, purpose, and direction. Pursuing one’s sparks helps young people make positive choices about their activities and use of time, helps them develop their potential to the fullest, and helps them contribute to their families, schools, and communities right now, as young people. Young people with sparks lead more caring, responsible, healthy, and productive lives than those who do not have sparks.
Sparks Resources
- Visit www.ignitesparks.com to find more information on sparks and how you can help youth find them.
- To read about the research Search Institute has conducted on thriving and sparks, visit our Research on Thriving and Sparks page.
- You can also visit the Search Institute Store to browse and purchase additional resources.
