Students can learn about careers in STEM through free New Kensington summer program
Space is limited but still available in a new program that will be held in New Kensington this summer for high school students interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Applications for “BELONG in STEM” are being accepted through April 10. It is being offered free with support from the Arconic Foundation, ABC Create and the Digital Foundry. An application form is available online.
Preference originally was given to high school students from school districts in the Alle-Kiski Valley area, but students from beyond that area are being accepted, project coordinator Melinda Spampinato said.
Applications from eighth grade students will be considered with a letter of recommendation from a teacher that they can handle the curriculum, she said.
Most of the program’s activities will take place in New Kensington. They include three hands-on activity sessions from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 23, May 7 and May 21 at The Corner on Fifth Avenue in New Kensington, and two additional visits to local businesses with dates yet to be determined.
A four-day summer camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 11-14 at the Digital Foundry, also on Fifth Avenue.
“BELONG in STEM” stands for Bringing Educational Learning Opportunities for New Growth in STEM. It is focused on, but not limited to, students who are typically underrepresented in STEM careers such as girls and students of color, Spampinato said.
“We’re trying to make this different from a lot of the STEM programs,” Spampinato said. “We are bringing in some people from business and industry who are actually out there working in different STEM fields, whether it’s AI or robotics. We’re trying to make those connections so students have a chance to visualize themselves in these positions.”
Spampinato said no prior experience with STEM is needed, but students should at least enjoy science.
“There’s no need to have any experience with robotics or anything,” she said. “We’re going to be starting with simple block-based coding for robotics.”
Spampinato said they hope to offer the program again in the future.
“We’re hoping it’s going to be something that we can continue over time,” she said.
Brian C. Rittmeyer is a TribLive reporter covering news in New Kensington, Arnold and Plum. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, Brian has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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