For Funders | Future Spark

The problem

Interest in science forms before middle school, yet K to 3 classrooms average 18 minutes of science a day, and only 63% of Ohio fifth graders test proficient in science. Kids in under-resourced schools rarely get to build anything before deciding engineering "isn't for them."

Our solution

High school students design and hand-assemble STEM kits covering circuits, solar-powered cars, biology, and environmental science, then deliver them free through elementary schools, shelters, and community organizations. Zero cost and zero paperwork for the partner.

Scale so far

300 kits delivered to 3 elementary schools and 3 community organizations in Central Ohio as of September 2026, funded by door-to-door fundraising and school events. Goal: 1,000 kits to 10 or more schools across Columbus, Cleveland, and counties like Fairfax.

The ask

Materials funding. $25 makes one kit; $2,500 makes 100. Sponsorship lets us buy in bulk, lower the per-kit cost, and reach more schools. Contact Satvik Surapaneni, founder, at futuresparks0@gmail.com.

Program logic model

Inputs	Activities	Outputs	Outcomes
Student volunteer hours Materials at $25 per kit Sponsorships and fundraising Partner sites: 3 schools, 3 organizations	Design and test two activities per kit Hand-assemble kits with all materials and instructions Take requests from schools and organizations Deliver in person, free of charge	Kits delivered: 300 to date, 1,000 goal Sites served: 6 to date, 10 or more schools goal Cost per kit: $25	Short term: students complete a build and answer "Would you want to try engineering again?" Medium term: partner sites request kits again Long term: more students from under-resourced schools choose STEM classes and activities

Budget and funding

$25 makes one kit. Materials only: components, the bag, and printed instructions. All design, assembly, and delivery time is donated by students, so there is no overhead.

Funding to date: door-to-door fundraising and school events. No grants yet.

Why bulk matters: buying materials for 1,000 kits at once lowers the cost of every kit.

What a gift buys

$25	1 kit for 1 student
$250	10 kits, a classroom group
$500	20 kits
$2,500	100 kits, about one school
$10,000	400 kits, about four schools, plus the bulk order that lowers every kit's cost

Status and accountability

Future Spark is a student-led initiative based in Columbus, Ohio, formerly Future Engineers. We are not yet a registered charitable organization and are working toward a fiscal sponsor so grants and larger gifts can be received and receipted properly. Sponsorships received today go directly toward kit materials, and we will share a summary of kits delivered and money spent with any sponsor on request.

Contact: Satvik Surapaneni, Founder. futuresparks0@gmail.com. Columbus, Ohio.

Download the One-Page Summary (PDF)