Our Story
Creative Sparks Labs grew from a simple idea: that every child is born with innate curiosity and creativity that just need the right fuel to grow. We wanted to move beyond the traditional classroom setting to create an environment where exploration is the curriculum.
We are inspired by Reggio Emilia methods, programs like Destination Imagination, Odyssey of the Mind, and leading education research.
Technology outpaces education. Foundational, academic knowledge alone cannot solve tomorrow’s undefined challenges. Elementary schools over-index on academics, leaving a critical void in nurturing creative innovation, resilience, and crucial social-emotional skills. We identified a significant gap in current after-school options — most programs were either too academic or lacked the hands-on, structured freedom that children crave. We designed our labs to fill this void, offering a space where instead of seeking a single “right answer,” tinkering, failure, and discovery are celebrated as essential parts of the learning process.
Our Philosophy
Our children must develop the confidence to navigate ambiguity. This means we must equip them with the ability to learn continuously, address new problems with aplomb, bounce back from failure, and collaborate across diverse teams.
We believe that children learn best when they are active participants in their own education. Our philosophy is built on social collaboration and open-ended problem solving through four key pillars:
- Hands-on – building, tinkering, and creating with real materials.
- Together – working in small groups to foster real collaboration.
- Sharing – presenting ideas publicly to build long-term confidence.
- Supported – guided by mentors who listen and adapt to each child’s needs.
Every activity we design is backed by early childhood education and play therapy research, ensuring we support both technical skill and emotional growth.
Our Team
200+ years of combined early childhood education experience.
- Curriculum Developers – classroom teachers with master’s degrees in education
- Engineers – including a software engineer who makes tech accessible for kids
- Play Therapy Specialist – master’s-level team lead with focus on Clinical Psychology and Children’s Play Therapy
Every facilitator is licensed and verified via LiveScan background check, trained in our proprietary ECE engagement methods, and passionate about helping kids discover their spark. Our vision is simple: a generation of kids who trust their own ideas.
Created by a Proven Team of Educators and Engineers
Richa Kapur
Early Childhood Education leader. Curriculum specialist with 30 years of experience. Masters in Psychology with focus on Children Play Therapy.
Ayesha Irum
Curriculum designer and teacher. Masters in Computer Science.
Rick Kapur
Business creative curriculum designer and teacher. 30+ years with Intel and Apple in research and business lead roles. MBA. Mechanical Engineer.
