Contact: Emily Alvarenga
951-694-2742
emily@intesacom.com
SAN DIEGO, CA (Sept. 17, 2026) — Spark Interactive, a first-of-its-kind mobile learning experience, brought its immersive digital classroom directly to around 200 students at Canyon Hills High School this week, marking the first school visit within the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) for the innovative educational experience following its public launch earlier this year.
Throughout the week, Canyon Hills students engaged with Spark Interactive’s innovative digital exhibits and participated in facilitated activities, peer dialogue and hands-on learning. Together, these elements offered an immersive approach to exploring Holocaust history and difficult topics while fostering critical thinking, empathy and civic responsibility.
“As an educator, this is really exciting for us because we're always looking for new and novel ways to bring history to life for our students,” said Dr. Michel Cazary, Area B Superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. “What Spark offers our students is an immersive experience and Holocaust education, but also a recommitment to democracy and our civic values, so this experience really aligns with the vision of our whole district and really what we want for our students.”
Despite a state mandate, only 1 in 4 local school districts currently provides Holocaust education, according to a statewide study. At the same time, rising misinformation and hate have underscored the need for students to better understand the consequences of bias, indifference and the erosion of democratic norms.
Spark Interactive’s state-of-the-art mobile experience is designed to meet that moment and address a critical education gap — helping students connect history to the present while building critical thinking skills and strengthening civic awareness.
“There’s real value in giving students opportunities to step beyond a textbook and engage with history in a more personal and immersive way, and Spark Interactive brought that to life for our students,” said Dr. Erica Renfree, principal of Canyon Hills High School. “Having Spark at Canyon Hills gave our students and teachers a new tool for exploring a complex subject and created opportunities for conversations that can continue well beyond the visit. We’re grateful our students were among the first to experience Spark in a school setting.”
Spark Interactive is a flagship initiative of Legacy of Light Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education, powered by Jewish Federation of San Diego, a countywide nonprofit focused on community building, education and advocacy.
Spark Interactive will continue bringing its mobile learning experience to schools and communities throughout the region this school year, expanding opportunities for students to engage directly with Holocaust history and the lessons it holds for today.
“The power of Spark Interactive is seeing what happens when we give students the chance to step inside the history they’re learning about, engage with the exhibits, ask questions and make connections to the world around them,” said Darren Schwartz, founding director of Legacy of Light Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education. “We want to spark curiosity and give students the tools to think critically about the past and understand its relevance today. We’re not telling them what to think — we’re giving them the opportunity to form their own understanding and consider the role they can play in shaping a more just and informed society.”
Thus far, Spark Interactive has filled more than half of its calendar for the school year, with about a dozen schools over the course of 20 weeks. Along with SDUSD, partnerships have already been established with the San Dieguito Union High School District, Poway Unified School District, Carlsbad Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District — collectively providing access to more than half of the region’s middle and high school students. As the program expands, it has the potential to reach tens of thousands of students each year.
Schools and community partners interested in hosting Spark Interactive can learn more at legacyoflightsd.org.
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About Legacy of Light Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education
Legacy of Light Goldberg Institute for Holocaust Education is a signature initiative of Jewish Federation of San Diego, created to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust remain central to how our community understands history, confronts hatred, and shapes the future. At a time of rising antisemitism, social fragmentation, and widespread misinformation, Federation has made Holocaust education a strategic priority that strengthens collective resilience and reinforces shared responsibility. Learn more at legacyoflightsd.org.