Category: Spark! News

Spring Awakening: Innovation Takes Center Stage at Demo Day Spring 2025

As the Spring 2025 semester wrapped up, Spark! students proved once again that their learning doesn’t end in the classroom—it accelerates into impact. This past Friday, the BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences buzzed with energy as students, faculty, staff, and Spark! partners gathered for Demo Day—a staple of the Spring 2025 Experiential Learning […]

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CivicHacks 2025 Recap: A Weekend of Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact

CivicHacks 2025 brought together 192 students from diverse backgrounds for a high-energy, impact-driven hackathon at the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences. With stunning views of Boston from the 17th floor, students spent two days collaborating on technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges. Guided by mentors, industry experts, and fellow hackers, participants turned ideas […]

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2025 Civic Tech Hackathon Breaks Record in Attendance and Creativity

Last week’s Civic Tech Hackathon proved that we’re in good hands when it comes to the next generation of students influencing the future of technology.  On February 22-23, 2025, Boston University’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences transformed into a hub of innovation for the 2025 Civic Tech Hackathon. In record turnout for the […]

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BU Spark! Hosts Welcome Back Mini Hack, Empowering Students to Tackle Social Challenges

Boston University students create solutions for voter access, financial inclusion, and mental health Boston University’s innovation hub, BU Spark!, kicked off the academic year by hosting their annual Welcome Back Mini Hack on October 5, 2024. Designed as a gateway into tech for underclassmen, this hackathon introduces new students to the world of coding, collaboration, […]

Uplifting Communities Through Innovation: Demo Day Fall 2023

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years at Demo Day, it’s that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. That would explain why students, faculty, staff, and Spark! partners alike gathered between Floors 1 & 2 of the BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences to bear witness to Fall 2023 Demo Day. Demo Day […]

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BU Spark! welcomes Taylor Beauvais and Seth Villegas

BU Spark! is excited to welcome Taylor Beauvais, data science program manager, and Seth Villegas, associate program manager, to the Spark! staff team. Taylor earned a master’s degree in public opinion, research methods, and data analytics from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from University at Buffalo […]

BU Spark! introduces new staff members

BU Spark! is excited to introduce new staff members Lydia Holck and Isabel Torres to the Spark! community. Lydia is Spark’s! new outreach director, overseeing day-to-day programs and activities. Isabel is Spark!’s new community and outreach manager, focusing on building and supporting the ever-growing Spark! community. “I’m thrilled that Lydia and Isabel have joined our […]