STUDENT SHOWCASE PARTICIPANTS
Proudly presented by:
Spark the Future 2026 is set to host our BIGGEST Student Showcase ever in the 9-year history of the event!
Explore the 16 career technical education programs and 100+ students who will be bringing innovation, creativity and hands-on learning to life below!
Academy of Innovative Arts
Program: Innovative Arts
“Sparking Innovation! Lectec Electric Skateboards & Scooters”
Innovation is in motion at Academy of Innovative Arts! Students are building and customizing Lectec electric skateboards and scooters while learning electrical systems, mechanical design, and product engineering. From wiring and assembly to testing and refinement, every board represents hands-on problem-solving and creativity.
Analy High School
Program: Agriculture (Farm to Table / Plant Science & Ag Mechanics)
“Cultivating the Future: Connecting Agriculture in Our Community”
Analy students are cultivating more than crops – they’re cultivating connection! Their agriculture program blends greenhouse propagation, floral design, ag mechanics, and farm-to-table production into a dynamic community-centered experience. From handcrafted farm stands built with local elementary partners to student-grown plants and artisan products, this showcase highlights sustainability, entrepreneurship and collaboration – all grown by the next generation!
Casa Grande High School
Program: Field Studies
“A Reel Impact! United Anglers Conservation Fish Hatchery”
Casa Grande students are making waves with the only student-run rescue rearing hatchery of its kind! Through the United Anglers program, they work to protect Petaluma Steelhead trout and support emergency conservation efforts for Steelhead and Coho salmon. Students manage a state-of-the-art hatchery, monitor ecosystems, and apply real environmental science skills to protect their own watershed.
CULINARY COMPETITION PARTICIPANT
Casa Grande High School
Program: Food Service & Hospitality Management
“The Gougère Affair: Gougères Sliders”
Get ready for a culinary experience that’s small in size but big in flavor! Casa Grande’s culinary students are showcasing their skills through perfectly crafted gougère sliders – blending technique, timing, and presentation. Behind every bite is training in hospitality, kitchen operations and professional standards.
Healdsburg High School / Marce Becerra Academy
Program: Art & Ecology
“Where Art Meets Earth: Ashokawna Watershed Atlas”
Where creativity meets conservation, something powerful happens! The Ashokawna Watershed Atlas brings together boat building, ecological fieldwork, mapping, and environmental research along the Russian River. In partnership with Sonoma Water and Russian Riverkeeper, students explore and document their local watershed through both science and artistic expression.
CULINARY COMPETITION PARTICIPANT
Healdsburg High School
Program: Advanced Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management
“The Food Truck That Keeps Giving: Addressing Food Access Through Multidisciplinary Projects”
This is culinary arts with purpose! Healdsburg students are exploring how hospitality can address real community needs through their innovative food truck concept. Blending business planning, culinary technique and social impact, this project demonstrates how food can be both entrepreneurial and equitable.
Petaluma High School
Program: Automotive Engineering
“CyberTruck? No, CyberDuck!”
Students from the Automotive Engineering class are bringing the one and only CyberDuck! Students transformed a Switch Lab vehicle into a custom, futuristic creation inspired by modern electric design. This project showcases fabrication expertise, mechanical understanding and the confidence to experiment creatively.
Petaluma High School
Program: Principles of Engineering
“Solving Everyday Problems with Robotics & Engineering”
These student-built robots are designed to think for themselves! Using multiple sensors and motors, each autonomous machine tackles real-world challenges through coding, testing, and iterative design. Students apply engineering principles to create solutions that respond intelligently to their environment.
CULINARY COMPETITION PARTICIPANT
Piner High School
Program: Culinary Arts I & II
“The Heat Is On: The Future Leaders of Culinary”
The kitchen is where confidence meets creativity! Piner culinary students are sharpening their technical skills while learning the rhythm and discipline of a professional kitchen. From preparation to presentation, their showcase reflects teamwork, timing and talent. The heat is on – and these future chefs are rising to the occasion.
Rancho Cotate High School
Program: Management and Events
“Playing, Planning & Producing: Building Community”
Behind every successful event is thoughtful strategy and seamless coordination! Rancho Cotate students in Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation are mastering the art of planning experiences that bring people together. Their projects highlight leadership, logistics, marketing, and creative production. It’s community-building by design.
Rancho Cotate High School
Program: Woodshop
“Art & Carpentry Collide…”
Wood turns into wonders in this stunning woodworking showcase! Students craft everything from custom cabinetry and epoxy river tables to handcrafted chairs and desks. Each piece reflects design thinking, technical skill, and hours of focused craftsmanship. The sky’s the limit with students creatively designing furniture – and futures!
Santa Rosa High School
Program: Manufacturing
“AI Can’t Replace Us!”
In an age of automation, these students prove that skilled craftsmanship still leads innovation! These students design what AI cannot. From CNC plasma-cut signs and milled components to custom metal creations and collaborative builds, this showcase highlights advanced manufacturing in action. Students operate industry-grade equipment while mastering design and fabrication. The message is bold – technology supports the work, but talent drives it.
Sonoma Valley High School
Program: Beginning and Advanced Metal Fabrication
“Built Sonoma Tough: Rock Crawler Buggy Chassis”
Built from the ground up, this rock crawler buggy chassis is engineered for strength and durability! Students apply welding, structural design, and fabrication techniques to construct a vehicle frame ready for rugged terrain. Every weld reflects hours of planning and precision.
CULINARY COMPETITION PARTICIPANT
Sonoma Valley High School
Program: Culinary Arts
“Small Plates, Big Talent”
Don’t let the size fool you – these small plates showcase serious skill! Sonoma Valley culinary students are crafting thoughtfully prepared bites that highlight technique, creativity, and flavor balance. From preparation to presentation, each dish reflects professional standards and artistic expression. Big talent comes in small, delicious packages.
Windsor High School
Program: Principles of Engineering
“Robotic Systems for Assisting the Mars Perseverance Rover”
Windsor students are bringing space exploration to Spark the Future! Their robotic systems simulate the collection and retrieval of environmental sample tubes like those used by the Mars Perseverance Rover. Through live demonstrations, guests will see autonomous robots locate, collect and deposit samples with precision. It’s out of this world!
Our Spark the Future Classroom Collaborators
Cloverdale High School
Program: Floral Design and Business Enterprise
Event Floral & Decor
Cloverdale students are transforming our event space through professional floral design and décor! From concept to installation, they apply design principles, color theory, and business strategy to create stunning table arrangements for the evening.
Healdsburg High School
Program: Construction Trades / Woodshop
Custom Token Boxes
Healdsburg students are putting their craftsmanship to work by building custom token boxes for the event itself! This functional project highlights precision woodworking, measurement accuracy, and professional finishing techniques.
Petaluma High School
Program: Digital Media
Trojan Broadcast Services: Produce Local. Reach Global.
Petaluma’s Trojan Broadcast Services team will showcase their skills in videography, audio engineering, lighting, interviewing, and live editing with Spark the Future attendees. Guests can step into the spotlight while students produce professional-quality media on the spot.
Piner High School
Program: Culinary
Student-Crafted Desserts
Piner culinary students are bringing the sweet finale to the event! Their dessert showcase highlights precision baking, flavor development, and professional presentation skills honed in the kitchen classroom – and YOU get to enjoy it!
Sonoma Valley High School
Program: Photography
Studio Portraits & Event Photography
Sonoma Valley photography students are turning the event into a live studio experience. With a fully set-up mobile photography station, students will photograph attendees, professionally edit the images, and provide a printed keepsake on the spot.
Vote for your favorite class projects!
At Spark the Future, you have the unique opportunity to purchase tokens and vote for your favorite student projects! Guests can purchase as many tokens and vote as many times as you like. The best part: class grants are increased by $5 per token received!
These incredible students are the future of our workforce, and their passion, creativity, and talent will be on full display at Spark the Future! Thank you for joining us on Thursday, April 16, 2025, to celebrate their achievements, connect with tomorrow’s leaders, and seeing firsthand how career-connected learning is shaping Sonoma County’s future.
Thank You to our Generous Event Sponsors!
