Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest to Host Regional Youth Innovation Experience
SPARK Summit Designed for High School Students
The Society of Innovators at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) will host the SPARK Summit, a one-day youth innovation and entrepreneurship experience designed for high school students from across Northwest Indiana on May 4, 2026 at PNW’s Westville campus, 1201 S. U.S. 421, Westville, Ind.
The SPARK Summit will bring together more than 200 students, educators and community partners for a dynamic day of inspiration, hands-on learning and real-world problem-solving. The SPARK Summit was developed in direct response to conversations with teachers and education partners across the region who emphasized the need for more accessible, engaging and meaningful innovation experiences for students.
Educators consistently shared that students learn best when innovation feels human, collaborative and connected to the world around them. The SPARK Summit is designed to meet that need by giving students the opportunity to learn directly from innovators, explore ideas together and experience entrepreneurship and innovation as active, participatory practices.
Students will hear from and interact with a unique lineup of innovators, including Charlie Kimball, a former IndyCar driver and innovation speaker; Olivia West, an entrepreneur and youth leadership voice; and Matthew Jones, a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator who uses play-based methods to unlock creativity and collaboration.
The SPARK Summit will be emceed and facilitated by Faith Spencer and Emmani Ellis, co-founders of IronWorkz, who will guide students through the day’s experience and help translate inspiration into action through interactive activities and discussion.
“Innovation doesn’t happen when we pull students out of the world. It happens when we invite them into it,” said Jason A. Williams, CEO of the Society of Innovators. “What we heard clearly from teachers is that students need opportunities to engage with real people, real problems and different perspectives. The SPARK Summit brings students, educators and community partners together in the same room so ideas can connect, collaboration can happen and innovation becomes something students actively practice.”
The SPARK Summit brings students, educators and community partners together in the same room so ideas can connect, collaboration can happen and innovation becomes something students actively practice.
Jason A. Williams, CEO of the Society of Innovators
Attendance at the SPARK Summit is intentionally limited to students, educators and community partners in order to preserve a highly interactive, relationship-driven experience. Community participation is made possible through sponsorships that directly support student attendance, meals, materials and programming at no cost to schools.
The Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest is especially encouraging organizations and individuals to participate as Table Sponsors, an experience designed to support a group of students from a local school while creating a shared experience between students and community leaders. Table Sponsors sit alongside students throughout the day, providing meaningful opportunities for conversation, encouragement and connection to real-world career pathways.
The SPARK Summit is part of the Society of Innovators’ broader SparkED initiative, which also includes the SPARK Series of classroom video lessons and educator resources. Together, these programs are designed to expose students to innovation, engage them through hands-on experiences, and help them build skills and confidence they can apply in school, careers, and life.
For more information about the SPARK Summit, educator participation or community sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Society of Innovators at societyofinnovators@pnw.edu or call Jason Williams at (219) 228-4718.