Merck's SPARK™ Program Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Providing Hands-On Science Learning to 600,000 Students Worldwide
Merck celebrated the 10th anniversary of its SPARK™ global employee volunteer program. The initiative has reached over 600,000 children globally with hands-on science education and aims for massive expansion by 2035.
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The SPARK™ employee volunteer program provides hands-on science learning to communities worldwide.
Over 600,000 students have received hands-on learning, and employees have dedicated nearly 200,000 volunteer hours.
The ambitious goal for 2035 is to double the number of participants and expand the global impact.
Darmstadt, Germany, March 18, 2026 - Merck, a leading global science and technology company, celebrated the 10th anniversary of SPARK™, a global employee volunteer program that connects employees and communities through hands-on science learning and community contributions.
Over the past decade, SPARK™ volunteers have dedicated their time, expertise, and passion to sharing the joy of science with children through interactive experiences, classroom lessons, and community engagement.
Karen Madden, Chief Technology Officer of Merck's Life Science business sector, said: "SPARK™ reflects the desire of Merck's scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers to make science accessible to everyone. Over the past 10 years, Merck employees have helped children experience science in a more tangible way. As the program enters its next phase, we are committed to further expanding opportunities to make science accessible and inspiring the next generation of innovators."
Since 2016, SPARK™ has expanded its activities globally, with employees in 48 countries dedicating nearly 200,000 volunteer hours to directly provide hands-on learning to over 600,000 children. It has also indirectly delivered the program to 9.47 million children worldwide in partnership with non-profit organizations.
In Japan, SPARK™ activities have been rolling out since 2016 in alignment with global initiatives. In addition to hosting experimental classes for elementary school students at the Science Museum in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (excluding certain periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic), in 2025, Merck participated for the first time in the Hills Workshop for Kids, providing a hands-on program for children in the neighborhood of its Japan headquarters. Through these initiatives, children's curiosity and inquisitive minds are nurtured under environmental themes such as water filtration and green chemistry. Furthermore, through support for the Japan Biology Olympiad, Chemistry Grand Prix, and STEM career path projects for female junior and senior high school students, Merck is working to increase interest in science among high schoolers and particularly encourage female students in their career choices.
SPARK™ is centered on science education through Curiosity programs like Curiosity Labs™ and Curiosity Cube™. Among them, Curiosity Cube™ has provided interactive science experiences across 3 continents as a mobile science lab. In addition to science programs, Merck volunteers also support local initiatives such as facility tours, citizen events, and an annual global food drive.
Each employee receives up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time per year (in the Japanese subsidiary, up to 2 days of paid volunteer leave per year) to participate in activities meaningful to themselves and their communities.
While SPARK™ is a global program, events are hosted by dedicated regional SPARK™ teams led by local employees, reflecting the specific needs of the community.
As the program enters its next decade, it has set ambitious goals. Merck aims to reach 2 million children through its own hosted programs and 75 million children through partnerships with non-profits.
Furthermore, it will expand volunteer activities by employees in 66 countries to 650,000 hours, deploy the Curiosity Cube™ to 3 new continents, and deliver 12,000 lessons through Curiosity Labs™.
These goals demonstrate an ongoing commitment to expanding access to science education and developing the communities where employees live and work.
Over 600,000 students have received hands-on learning, and employees have dedicated nearly 200,000 volunteer hours.
The ambitious goal for 2035 is to double the number of participants and expand the global impact.
Darmstadt, Germany, March 18, 2026 - Merck, a leading global science and technology company, celebrated the 10th anniversary of SPARK™, a global employee volunteer program that connects employees and communities through hands-on science learning and community contributions.
Over the past decade, SPARK™ volunteers have dedicated their time, expertise, and passion to sharing the joy of science with children through interactive experiences, classroom lessons, and community engagement.
Karen Madden, Chief Technology Officer of Merck's Life Science business sector, said: "SPARK™ reflects the desire of Merck's scientists, engineers, and problem-solvers to make science accessible to everyone. Over the past 10 years, Merck employees have helped children experience science in a more tangible way. As the program enters its next phase, we are committed to further expanding opportunities to make science accessible and inspiring the next generation of innovators."
Since 2016, SPARK™ has expanded its activities globally, with employees in 48 countries dedicating nearly 200,000 volunteer hours to directly provide hands-on learning to over 600,000 children. It has also indirectly delivered the program to 9.47 million children worldwide in partnership with non-profit organizations.
In Japan, SPARK™ activities have been rolling out since 2016 in alignment with global initiatives. In addition to hosting experimental classes for elementary school students at the Science Museum in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (excluding certain periods due to the COVID-19 pandemic), in 2025, Merck participated for the first time in the Hills Workshop for Kids, providing a hands-on program for children in the neighborhood of its Japan headquarters. Through these initiatives, children's curiosity and inquisitive minds are nurtured under environmental themes such as water filtration and green chemistry. Furthermore, through support for the Japan Biology Olympiad, Chemistry Grand Prix, and STEM career path projects for female junior and senior high school students, Merck is working to increase interest in science among high schoolers and particularly encourage female students in their career choices.
SPARK™ is centered on science education through Curiosity programs like Curiosity Labs™ and Curiosity Cube™. Among them, Curiosity Cube™ has provided interactive science experiences across 3 continents as a mobile science lab. In addition to science programs, Merck volunteers also support local initiatives such as facility tours, citizen events, and an annual global food drive.
Each employee receives up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time per year (in the Japanese subsidiary, up to 2 days of paid volunteer leave per year) to participate in activities meaningful to themselves and their communities.
While SPARK™ is a global program, events are hosted by dedicated regional SPARK™ teams led by local employees, reflecting the specific needs of the community.
As the program enters its next decade, it has set ambitious goals. Merck aims to reach 2 million children through its own hosted programs and 75 million children through partnerships with non-profits.
Furthermore, it will expand volunteer activities by employees in 66 countries to 650,000 hours, deploy the Curiosity Cube™ to 3 new continents, and deliver 12,000 lessons through Curiosity Labs™.
These goals demonstrate an ongoing commitment to expanding access to science education and developing the communities where employees live and work.