{"id":5622,"date":"2023-02-10T16:25:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T21:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/?page_id=5622"},"modified":"2026-08-18T10:12:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T14:12:12","slug":"programs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/students\/programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Our programs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BU Spark! offers experiential learning and innovation programs to help you connect, build, gain skills, and realize your potential and passion in computing and data science \u2014 all within a vibrant community of students like you.<\/p>\n

Some advanced programs require an application, but many opportunities offered through Spark! courses<\/a> do not, and everyone is always welcome to join our community.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Spark! Technology Innovation Program: Work on your project<\/div>\n

If you have an idea you want to take to the next level or want a structured experience with teammates at your side, the Spark! Technology Innovation Program is the place for you. You can work informally on your project with the help of Spark! mentors or, if you don\u2019t know where to start, take a course that will help you take your project from an idea to a working prototype in one semester.<\/p>\n

Learn more \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Community Challenges: Refine your skillset<\/div>\n

Community challenges are usually shorter-term and open to anyone in the Spark! community. It\u2019s the ideal way to build and refine your skillset. Plus, you can find the support you need for any of these ventures during Tech Innovation Hours<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Learn more \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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X-Lab: Join a project<\/div>\n

X-Lab pairs student teams with external and research partners who bring genuine problems to solve \u2014 not case studies. Through our computer and data science practicum courses, interdisciplinary practicum courses through the XCC, or a very limited number of paid internships for advanced students, you can help make a difference and real-world impact for our project partners.<\/p>\n

Learn more \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Post-Bach Fellows: Keep building after graduation<\/div>\n

Post-Baccalaureate Fellows support four experiential learning courses each year \u2014 two in the fall, two in the spring \u2014 and continue through the summer supporting the internship program and preparation for the coming academic year. Working under the Spark! leadership team and faculty, Fellows mentor and coordinate the undergraduate teaching team, including product and technical project managers.<\/p>\n

Learn more \u2192<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

BU Spark! offers experiential learning and innovation programs to help you connect, build, gain skills, and realize your potential and passion in computing and data science \u2014 all within a vibrant community of students like you. Some advanced programs require an application, but many opportunities offered through Spark! courses do not, and everyone is always […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21966,"featured_media":0,"parent":28,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5622"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21966"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5622"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5622\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8741,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5622\/revisions\/8741"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/28"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/spark\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}