Titans Give 2026

SPARK a Scientific Future: Support Early Undergraduate Research

Help first-time freshmen ignite curiosity, confidence, and scientific identity through hands-on summer research.

SPARK (Summer Program to Advance Research and Knowledge) introduces first-time freshmen going into their second year in Chemistry and Biochemistry to hands-on, faculty-mentored research. Designed especially for students with GPAs between 2.0 and 3.0, SPARK helps early majors “spark” interest in discovery, grow confidence in chemistry, and gain direction in their academic path.

Your support ensures these transformative research experiences remain accessible at the very start of a student’s college journey.

Giving Levels — Chemistry Constants That Spark Discovery

Planck Level — $6.62

(Planck’s constant: 6.626×10⁻³⁴ J·s) 

A quantum contribution with huge impact. Just as Planck’s constant forms the foundation of modern chemistry, this gift helps provide basic lab consumables that allow SPARK students to begin their first hands on experiments.

Pi Level — $31.41

(π × 10 = 31.4159…) 

A beautifully balanced contribution—just like π itself. Supports reusable materials that keep early student projects structured and successful.

Avogadro Level — $60.22

(Scaled from Avogadro’s number: 6.022×10²³) 

Provides a meaningful investment in a SPARK student’s research journey. This level helps supply reagents, small equipment, and materials that allow students to move from learning about science to doing science.

Faraday Level — $96.50

(Faraday’s constant simplified from 96,485 C/mol) 

Empowers a week of meaningful experimentation. Helps fund the chemicals, safety supplies, and resources students need to run real laboratory procedures with confidence.

Speed of Light Level — $299.79

(Scaled from c = 2.9979×10⁸ m/s)

Accelerates discovery. This gift enables multi-week research experiences, providing project materials, lab access, and mentorship that build momentum in a student’s scientific development.

Stefan–Boltzmann Level — $567.04

(Stefan–Boltzmann constant: 5.670 × 10⁻⁸ W·m⁻²·K⁻⁴) 

A high-impact contribution that radiates opportunity. Just as the Stefan–Boltzmann constant governs the total energy emitted by a hot object, your gift fuels the full energy of a SPARK scholar’s summer experience—funding materials, mentorship, and the hand-on research that ignites a student’s scientific trajectory.

Launched in 2023 with support from the Dean’s Office, the Summer Program to Advance Research and Knowledge (SPARK) was created to give first-time freshmen going into their second year a meaningful introduction to scientific research. That inaugural year, nine freshmen joined research groups—many of them students who had never before considered themselves future scientists.

SPARK intentionally recruits students with GPAs between 2.0 and 3.0 to ensure that promising early majors who need confidence, direction, and opportunity are supported rather than overlooked. Through hands-on research, students learn how to design experiments, interpret data, and navigate real laboratory environments.

Early engagement is a proven driver of academic persistence, identity formation, and long-term success in STEM fields. With continued fundraising, SPARK has become a cornerstone experience for early chemistry and biochemistry majors at Cal State Fullerton.

Your gift directly supports these emerging scientists, helping them build confidence, gain research skills, and envision themselves in graduate programs, industry careers, and the broader scientific community.

Student Testimonials — The Impact in Their Own Words

SPARK Scholar, 2023

“In 2023, I chose to pursue chemistry without a clear vision for how I would apply it in my future. At the time, my performance in my major courses was average, and I had no prior research experience or awareness that a career in research was even possible for me. Dr. Petit encouraged me to apply to the SPARK program, which became a turning point in my academic journey. Through SPARK, I discovered a genuine interest in research and gained the motivation to pursue it seriously. Since then, I have strengthened my academic foundation, improved my grades, and developed a strong interest in attending graduate school.”

SPARK Scholar, 2023

“This summer research experience has influenced me and helped me better understand what I would like to pursue in the future. It has provided direction and clarity regarding my interests in the scientific field. It has also given me valuable hands-on experience and insight into the different labs throughout the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.

Help Us SPARK the Next Generation of Titans in Science

Your contribution—no matter the size—helps first-year Chemistry and Biochemistry majors take their first steps into research. Together, we can continue to offer SPARK to students who benefit most from early scientific opportunity.