Thank you Janet Nielsen

The SPARQ Center at PHS thanks Janet Nielsen for her presentation detailing her creative journey in the gaming and movie industry.  She is known for such projects as Star Wars Prequels, Wall-e, Harry Potter, and Sleepy Hollow to name a few.  She is also credited on at least 12 games including her work at PlayStation Studios.  Come see what it takes to be successful in the gaming and movie industries! 

The full presentation can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

We also thank Piner Culinary for the delicious pumpkin cake bites!

STEM Cafe Recap - Thank you Janet Nielsen

SPARQ Newsletter - Sept 2026 Vol 1

Welcome to our first newsletter! Our goal is to connect with our followers by sharing our incredible programs, activities, and student projects.

Our first newsletter contains profiles for Riley Kobler, our current SPARQ Board Student Representative, and recent graduate Kaylee Ross, one of two 2026 Judy Bardelon Excellence in STEAM Award winners. They share their experiences with STEM Programs at Piner. We include summaries of 2025-2026 school year accomplishments as well as a look ahead at the exciting opportunities planned for the 2026-2027 school year. We finish it up with the schedules for our STEM Cafe and Digital Planetarium shows.

We hope you like it and encourage you to share your thoughts. You can email us at sparqcenterphs@gmail.com.

Sept 2026 SPARQ Newsletter

Thank you Dr. Taylor Valentino

The SPARQ Center at PHS thanks Dr. Taylor Valentino for his presentation at the September 9th STEM Cafe. Dr. Valentino is a scientist professor at the Buck Institute in Novato CA. Taylor’s specialty is in skeletal muscle, gut microbiome, and exercise as it relates to aging and longevity.  A speaker for our HSB program, Taylor shared data and observations on his research.

The full presentation can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

We also thank Piner Culinary for the delicious cookies!

STEM Cafe Recap - Thank you Dr. Taylor Valentino

2026-2027 Digital Theater Shows are posted!

The 2026-2027 Digital Theater Shows are posted! Check the SPARQ calendar online or download the flyer below.

2026-2027 DIGITAL THEATER SHOWS

2026-2027 STEM Café Events are posted!

The 2026-2027 STEM Café Events are posted! Check the SPARQ calendar online or download the flyer.

2026-2027 STEM Cafe Schedule

2026 STEM Symposium

2026 STEM Symposium at Piner High School’s SPARQ Center celebrating our STEM Level II & III students. Also recognized were the 2026 STEM Prospect Awards for students who completed all STEM Levels. We also honored our 2026 SPARQ Center Foundation Student Representatives.

The projects covered a wide variety of topics including health sciences internships, community internships, food science, civil engineering, high powered rocketry, photometry, and more.

Congratulations to the 2026 Judy Barcelon Excellence in STEAM Award winners Kaylee Ross and Lyn Standley! These students embody passion, perseverance, and excellence in the area of STEAM. They also each received $500 scholarships from the SPARQ Foundation.

Photos by Mindy Breslin. Full gallery available by clicking the link.

Summary reel available on our YouTube Channel.

Download the 2026 STEM Symposium Program.

2026 Judy Barcelon Excellence in STEAM Award winners Kaylee Ross and Lyn Standley.

2026 STEM Symposium Highlights

2026 Senior Awards - GIS & HSB

2026 Senior Awards - GIS & HSB. Congratulations to the Seniors!

Watch the presentations on our YouTube channel.

People & Places of Piner - 2026 High Powered Rocketry

This past March, Level 2 & 3 Rocketry students tested and launched a variety of rockets and motors. You can watch highlights on our YouTube channel.

Level 3 students made and tested their own rocket motor formulas. Students worked in pairs and made 3 different formulas; 5%, 7%, and 9% Aluminium (the β€œfuel” part of the motor). The goal was to make a motor that out performed an off the shelf Aerotech motor. They tested their motors in two groups. Motors were put on test stands that had pressure sensors on them to judge engine performance. One group went to Lake Pillsbury and the other group to Ukiah on top of a mountain. We then took the motors and flight tested them at Misfit Flats in Silver Springs Nevada just outside of Reno. Each rocket had electronics so record speed, altitude, G-force to use as their data. They compared their data to the Aerotech pre-made motor.

Level 2 students built their own rockets. They were testing fin stability. Each pair used a different sized fin (same fin geometry). Lg, med, and small. To qualify their data, each rocket had a video camera attached so they could judge stability of flight. All three rockets made two flights with two different motors again, at Misfit flats in Silver Springs Nevada.

All rockets and motors successfully flew and a good time was had by all on a beautiful day in Nevada. Parent involvement was greatly appreciated as we transported 16 High Powered Rocketeers to the dry lake bed. We met at Piner at 4:30 am and arrived back at 9:15 pm that night. Tired but happy crew.

Thank you Dr. David McCuan

The SPARQ Center at PHS thanks Dr. David McCuan for his presentation at the April 8th STEM Cafe. Dr. McCuan is a professor at Sonoma State University. He is an expert in both international and national politics, international security and terrorism, state and local politics, campaigns and elections, and political behavior. Just as he did previously he gave a very interesting talk about the science behind the upcoming midterm elections as well as providing insight into the current political landscape.

The full presentation can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

We also thank Piner Culinary for the delicious brownies!

STEM Cafe Recap - Thank you Dr. McCuan

People & Places of Piner - Field Trip to Bodega Marine Lab

People & Places of Piner - Field Trip to Bodega Marine Lab

On April 2nd 41 students and three chaperones traveled to Bodega Bay to tour the UC Davis Bodega Marine Lab. During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore various areas of the campus and learn about oceans and ocean life. They learned about sea purple urchin overpopulation caused by rising ocean temperatures.

Check out a highlight video on our YouTube channel.

People & Places of Piner - Field Trip to Sonoma State University

People & Places of Piner - Field Trip to Sonoma State University (SSU).

On March 13th 41 students and three chaperones participated in a tour of SSU. During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore various areas of the campus and learn about the many programs and resources SSU offers. They also attended informative presentations from the Nursing and Kinesiology departments. We extend our sincere thanks to SSU for hosting this valuable experience.

https://www.sonoma.edu/

Check out a highlight video on our YouTube channel.

SPARQ Foundation Board Update

The SPARQ Center at Piner High School Foundation is pleased to announce pleased to announce a leadership transition within our organization. Effective January 6, 2026, Ian Carpenter will assume the role of President, and Mindy Breslin will assume the role of Vice President.

We extend our gratitude and thanks to outgoing President, Michael Papaik, for his valuable contributions and service the past two years.

Please join us in welcoming Ian Carpenter and Mindy Breslin into their new roles.

STEM Cafe presentations on our YouTube Channel

SPARQ Center STEM Cafe presentations are available on our YouTube Channel. Check out the three videos from the start of this school year.

Students - make sure to schedule to attend one of the four remaining presentations from January to April 2026. Seats fill up fast so don’t procrastinate.

The videos are posted for you as an after-the-fact resource. Your instructors will not accept them for STEM Level 1 without the stamp you receive at the live event. Questions? Please see Mr. Kruger.

Thank You Caprice Disbrow

Thank you, Caprice Disbrow, SRJC Professor of Biology and Botany, for giving us insight into rewilding and SRJC projects to promote biodiversity in urban spaces. If you are interested in working with the SRJC team on a project please contact Caprice Disbrow.
#sparqcenter #stemcafe #stemeducation

We thank as always Piner Culinary for the delicious snacks!

You can watch the presentation on our YouTube channel.