By Burton Dicht
In 1962, NASA’s Mercury program to launch astronauts into space was beginning to expand. At the same time at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, another space program was launched. Project SPARC, or Space Research Capsule was created by an amazing and dedicated physics teacher named Robert Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery’s objective with SPARC was to spur students’ interest in science, engineering, and medicine through an after-school space program. It was a STEM program before the term even existed.
I had the great opportunity as a student to be part of SPARC, first on the medical team and then as an astronaut from 1974 to 1977. SPARC, which was recognized by NASA as the only student space program in the US, was a defining point in my life. I always referenced the program as a critical component in my professional development that set me on a career path to become an engineer in the aerospace industry. I’m providing this bit of my personal history because it relates to how the circle of life can lead you back to where you started.
As an engineer, I became involved as a volunteer with my professional society ASME. That opened so many doors and provided me with so much professional growth. Ultimately my volunteer involvement led to a staff position at ASME. I had never dreamed of entering the world of association management, but I embraced it and enjoyed the opportunity to really have an impact on serving the volunteers and enhancing the society and the profession. My experiences and the knowledge I gained helped me earn my CAE. While always considering myself an engineer, I was now an association professional and currently, I’m employed at the IEEE as the Director, Student and Academic Education Programs.
I know I have made a difference working for both ASME and IEEE, yet I had no idea that my professional life would soon connect me back to my high school. In late December 2013, the Philadelphia School District, facing budget problems, cut off funding to SPARC, now known as the Space Research Center. After more than 50+ years of operation and thousands of students impacted, SPARC faced extinction, leaving more than 200 students with no program. Word soon spread through the local news and social media of SPARC’s end.
When I heard the news I was shocked. And hearing the stories from current students about how much SPARC meant to them was heartbreaking. It was hard to believe that such an important program was being ended. That is when I decided I needed to act. Working with other SPARC alumni, I started a GoFundMe campaign to raise the funds needed to keep SPARC operating. The response was unbelievable and in less than one month we raised more than $15,000 and saved SPARC; at least for the short term.
Current students, alumni, teachers, and parents celebrated the continuation of SPARC. Our joy was short-lived as further discussions with the school administration made it clear that there would be no school district funding for some time. That meant we needed to create a mechanism to sustain the fundraising effort. This is where my years of experience in association management paid dividends and brought me back to where I started. I made a suggestion to create a boosters association tasked with supporting SPARC through both fundraising and volunteer efforts.
The idea received a quick buy-in from the students, teachers, and alumni. We formed a planning committee and immediately went to work. My knowledge and experience working with volunteers and associations helped guide the process. One important decision we made was to form an association under the umbrella of the Northeast High School Alumni Foundation. That way we didn’t need to establish our own 501 (c) 3 organization and the foundation staff could help in maintaining our records.
With that decided, we discussed governance and operations. I took the lead on drafting our Charter and By-laws and we did everything in an open and transparent fashion, with all stakeholders allowed to review the documents for comments and suggestions. This culminated with an organizational meeting in April 2014 where we approved the by-laws and elected the first operating board. The Northeast High School Project SPARC Boosters was officially launched on July 1, 2014, and I’m proud to say I was elected the Board Director.
Today, three years after we averted SPARC’s end, the Boosters have raised more than $65,000 to keep SPARC a preeminent STEM program. More than 300 students are currently involved in SPARC and are enjoying the benefits of an engaging and inspiring program. For me, there is not only the satisfaction of preserving a program that played an important role in my life and is motivating current students but the realization that being an association professional helped achieve this goal. If you would like to learn more about SPARC please go to the following link: NEHS Project SPARC Boosters
Burt Dicht, CAE, is Director, Student & Academic Education Programs, IEEE Educational Activities, and Director, NEHS Project SPARC Boosters