The SPARKS Team
Marina von Achten
Founder of SPARKS, solicitor and mediator
Together with Steffen, I founded SPARKS to bring BEAM to more schools and create a reliable structure for this purpose. As a mother at the English Institute Heidelberg at the time, BEAM showed me how school can inspire learners. SPARKS aims to address important topics in specific projects: it would be great to see SPARKS as an innovative cell that makes schools more innovative in various areas.
As co-founder, I am responsible for strategy at SPARKS and decide together with Steffen which projects we pursue and how. I also ensure that the projects are solidly financed so that they can be continued in the long term.
SPARKS gives me the opportunity to give back to society. Coming from an entrepreneurial family, I had a privileged start in life. I don’t want to rest on my laurels. I have four children and want to help shape the future of young people through entrepreneurship. In Germany, we have a solid school system, but learners and teachers urgently need more ‘sparks’! Concrete, innovative projects can inspire learners and relieve teachers.
Steffen Haschler
Founder of SPARKS, teacher and consultant
Before Marina approached me about founding SPARKS, I had been unable to develop BEAM further for many years because I lacked a reliable structure for doing so, even though BEAM always received wonderful feedback from all sides. I would be delighted if SPARKS not only succeeded in scaling BEAM, but also brought about further innovation in schools!
As co-founder, I am responsible for strategy at SPARKS, just like Marina. As a teacher, I have almost 20 years of professional experience and am confident that together we can bring lots of ‘sparks’ to our schools. It is important to me that these are not extracurricular activities or ‘one-offs’, but rather content and projects that are firmly anchored in the school curriculum.
SPARKS gives me the opportunity to develop my own ideas and the ideas of innovative teachers in schools. Children are our future, and the current school system does a poor job of preparing them for that future. As the father of a primary school child, I want my daughter to be able to learn at a school that responds to her needs and has the courage to change.
Christin Schuler
Project coordinator for BEAM in Heidelberg, teacher
I came to Sparks through the BEAM project and am delighted to be part of it! I think it’s very important that new and innovative projects are introduced in schools to break down traditional teaching structures and enable pupils to think outside the box. Because outside the usual classroom setting, there are many more ‘sparks’ that can enrich pupils’ lives.
At Sparks, I am primarily responsible for the BEAM project, which I have been enthusiastically teaching at our school together with my colleague Steffen Haschler since 2017. As project manager for the foundation, I am mainly responsible for coordination and communication tasks, such as networking BEAM teachers and working on the curriculum to establish BEAM at other schools on a long-term basis.
For me, Sparks means enthusiasm, innovation and sustainability. Enthusiasm for new and innovative projects, cross-school collaboration between teachers and change in schools. Sparks provides a suitable platform for these three aspects to become firmly established and enrich school life.
Sébastien Elbracht
Project coordinator I&M, prospective teacher
Steffen introduced me to SPARKS. As a prospective teacher, I am delighted to have come into contact with innovative educational formats early on in my training, which motivate me to pursue a career in teaching. I am pleased to support a foundation that plays an active role in transforming the educational landscape.
I am responsible for the ‘Computer Science and Media Education’ project at SPARKS. My tasks include coordinating events, developing the curriculum and designing materials. I also support SPARKS with various administrative tasks, such as maintaining the website.
In Germany, access to important educational resources unfortunately still depends on one’s own privileges. BEAM gives students the opportunity to learn knowledge that would otherwise not be taught in school, but in companies and university institutions. They will experience major upheavals and inherit various problems that previous generations were unable to solve. Not buckling under these enormous challenges, but actively shaping them with all your heart – for me, that is the central spark that SPARKS conveys.
Daniel Uhlig
Project coordination for BEAM in the MRN, teacher
At various events and activities in February 2024, I had the opportunity to meet not only BEAM but also its founder, Cristina Florea, as a guest accompanied by Steffen. Through my work at SPARKS, I would like to do my part to help spread BEAM and make it accessible to many learners.
At SPARKS, I perform administrative tasks that involve supporting BEAM schools and teachers. This includes, in particular, coordinating events and school-specific annual planning within the framework of the BEAM curriculum.
For me, SPARKS is literally a spark that can ignite a flame in the current educational landscape, a flame that continues to burn in learners and drives them forward. This opens up completely new and innovative opportunities to supplement and enrich traditional teaching methods.
Isabel Drabold
Public relations and event coordination for BEAM, teacher
Steffen and our joint BEAM lessons brought SPARKS to my attention. I find the basic idea behind SPARKS fascinating – rethinking school and inspiring young people to become entrepreneurs, for example, is a great concept. I am delighted to support SPARKS in the organisational and administrative areas. It is an exciting change from my everyday life in the classroom and gives me the opportunity to help shape education from a new perspective.
At SPARKS, I am responsible for public relations and coordinate events for the BEAM programme. I use targeted communication strategies to raise awareness of our projects and successes. In event coordination, I plan and organise events where school pupils can experience companies up close and learn about entrepreneurial thinking in a practical way.
For me, SPARKS means above all the opportunity to take on new challenges and live out my passion for organisation, event planning and public relations. I appreciate the opportunity to use my skills in an inspiring environment while contributing to the further development of innovative educational projects.
Rebekka Duncker
Project manager BU, teacher
After around 20 years of teaching experience, I know how much school shapes young people – and how important it is to give them spaces where they can discover, strengthen and develop themselves. When Marina and Steffen approached me about the BE YOU! project, I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved. The idea of supporting girls in their mindfulness, self-awareness and personal balance is exactly what is close to my heart in everyday school life. At a time when many young people are suffering from stress, insecurity and fears about the future, there is a need for programmes that give them support and strengthen their personalities.
I am responsible for the implementation, coordination, training and further development of the BE YOU! project. I contribute not only my teaching experience, but also my work from numerous career orientation projects, especially in the skilled trades. These experiences have shown me how valuable it is to give young people practical access to opportunities that build self-confidence and open up new perspectives.
As part of BE YOU!, I support teachers, develop materials, collect feedback from the field and ensure that the project is sustainably anchored in schools.
For me, SPARKS stands for courage, creativity and the conviction that education must be viewed holistically. The foundation creates spaces where innovative ideas can flourish and where teachers can work together to redesign schools. I find it particularly meaningful and relevant for the future that BE YOU! allows me to help girls strengthen their self-efficacy, mindfulness and inner balance. SPARKS gives me the opportunity to combine my educational experience with genuine innovative power – and thus to give young people something that will truly empower them for life.
Steffen Ganns
Project Development BU, Teacher
Marina approached me and asked if I would be interested in developing a project within the framework of physical education. With BE YOU!, I want to develop something that goes beyond traditional physical education. The focus should be on the personal development of children through exercise: not just education about sport, but education through sport.
I am responsible for developing new teaching modules for physical education. I am currently working on a teaching unit for girls (aged 11–14) that combines physical activity with teaching personal skills. In the future, I will develop further concepts that will give teachers the opportunity to rethink school.
Education is the most important asset in our society. SPARKS gives me the opportunity to provide the next generation with something that will prepare them for their future lives. Unfortunately, teachers are still not provided with enough teaching modules to work with. I see SPARKS as a place where committed teachers can discuss their ideas, flesh them out and put them into practice.
Christina Arndt
Financial accounting at SPARKS, legal assessor and legal representative
I got to know SPARKS through our son, who chose the BEAM seminar course at the English Institute Heidelberg. At the student presentation for parents, I noticed an enthusiasm and motivation among both the students and the teachers that I found exceptionally positive in everyday school life. BEAM not only promotes academic work, but also independence and team spirit. It awakens and deepens potential. This is a valuable contribution to preparing students for the professional world and for life in general.
I am very pleased that Marina asked me if I would like to work for SPARKS. Being a part of this and making my contribution is very fulfilling – it feels right to support innovative educational projects.
At SPARKS, I work behind the scenes and am responsible for financial accounting on a voluntary basis. This complements my work as a guardian ad litem at the family court, as both roles focus on children and young people.
For me, SPARKS means questioning old ways of thinking and breaking new ground in the education system. BEAM’s programme supports students’ personal development by encouraging them to face challenges and take responsibility for their own actions.