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| navigate: home: magazine: fall 2001: article | |
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Penn State York partners with schools to prepare youth for world of work By Susan J. Burlingame | ||||||
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Programs on Saturdays during the school year and for two weeks in the summer are introducing city kids with promise to the world of careers. Since 1996, Penn State York has been in partnership with York City schools and the Hostetter Group to offer an academic enrichment program that presents science, mathematics, technology and communication as fun, exciting components of a fulfilling future. Dubbed the Project Connections Academy, this program evolved to complement Project Connections, a full-time, in-school program that, according to the Project Connections Academy brochure, “introduces students to the real world of work through a unique curriculum that encourages mastery and application of authentic skills.” According to Mary Young, a Hostetter Group consultant who is the Project Connections director in York’s Hannah Penn Middle School, Project Connections is “a nationally recognized school-to-career program for middle school students.” Parents recommend students (about 50 per grade level) to be part of the Project Connections cohort that keeps students and teachers together for three years to “focus on bringing kids into the loop and to teach them how to access the opportunities that are available to them.” Field trips, special projects and presentations throughout the school year enhance traditional class work, bringing adolescents vital information about careers — information they would not necessarily receive in traditional classrooms. Project Connections and eventually the Project Connections Academy grew out of a previous program for York City school students called MOEST, which encouraged minority students to consider future careers and education — in math, science and technology — and to recognize the importance of education. “The Project Connections Academy is a wonderful outreach to our community to help kids take advantage of Penn State York resources and build enthusiasm for technical subjects,” said program specialist Annie Haines, who added that Project Connections Academy is an “extremely positive opportunity” for the students who participate. “Teachers nominate kids they think will do well, who have a positive attitude, who show a sincere desire to learn and who will benefit from the program.” About 20 students from the seventh- and eighth-grades attend the Saturday Academy; about 30 students entering the seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grades participate in the Summer Academy’s two different tracks. The selected seventh- and eighth-grade students come to the Penn State York campus on Saturdays. They are given innovative, hands-on learning opportunities to inspire enthusiasm for learning while being introduced to advanced concepts in areas such as computer technology, Earth and space science, chemistry, biology and physics. The two-week summer program, held in July, includes projects developed by the students around a theme, such as robotics, rocketry and space, or orienteering and geology. Penn State York faculty, as well as community leaders and business representatives, work with the students. “One of my key roles,” Young said, “is to recruit students for the Saturday and summer academies. Annie and I design the program, set the schedule, write proposals for funding. It’s a real partnership.” At the end of the two-week academy, an event is held during which the students present their projects to parents, teachers, Penn State faculty and business and community leaders. “The kids are enthusiastic about the academy because this is fun,” Haines said. “A lot of them walk or ride their bikes in all kinds of weather just to get here. They are very motivated. What is really exciting is that now the program is continuing into the high schools. After two years in the Saturday academy, if the students show they are responsible, and if they come on time, they are invited to come to Computer Connections.” Computer Connections is designed specifically for eighth-graders about to enter their first year of high school. These students work with Penn State York information sciences and technology students to upgrade computers that have been donated by local industry. The young participants learn about computer components and software operations and then are allowed to keep the computer and a printer for use as they enter high school. An extension of Project Connections, called Campus Connections, provides sessions for high school students who have been previous academy participants. These sessions help academy staff follow the students through high school, teaching them study skills and career-oriented skills, such as applying for jobs, time management, stress relief and career exploration. “This year, we will have our first 12th-graders,” Haines noted. Montika Ruth, a 2000 Penn State graduate, attended the Penn State York campus and knows the York community well. She is the program assistant for Campus Connections. “I wish I’d had something like this when I was younger,” she said. “Kids are more street smart today; they should be exposed at an earlier age to all the different options they have. Campus Connections really helps them think about their future and to ultimately have a happy life instead of hating to get up in the morning.” All but one of the 13 high school students in Campus Connections are Project Connections Academy graduates. The focus of their meetings is on planning for the future. “It doesn’t matter if they don’t want to go to college,” Ruth said. “College isn’t for everyone. But, high schoolers need to make some sort of plan for the rest of their lives. They need to be better planners, better decision-makers, be exposed to leaders in our community.” Campus Connections students visit the University Park campus, tour local companies and learn about the community, the political process and much more. Plus, Ruth visits the high school on a regular basis to make sure the Campus Connections students are keeping their grades up. “If someone is having trouble with his or her grades, I can find a tutor. They know we are here to help, and the fact that these students are not mandated to be part of Campus Connections means they want to be here.” Campus Connections was new in fall 2000, but appears to be having an impact on students already. “I’d like to see the program grow and for other high schools to adopt it,” Ruth concluded. Project Connections Academy and Campus Connections are free for participating students. They are funded through Penn State York and from the contributions of local businesses and industry. This year’s contributors are GPU Foundation, Honeywell International Foundation, Campbell/Cooper Tools, Caterpillar Foundation, Peoples Bank and Glatfelter Insurance Group. Contributions are eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. “This is such a strong partnership between Penn State York, the York City school district and local business and industry,” Haines said. “It has allowed us to work together in a really positive way. I think this is a great example of how Penn State is working to change the lives of young people in our community.” “This whole program came together out of trust and a handshake,” added Young, explaining how all the entities in the partnership joined forces to ensure the program’s success. “The York community is really focused on its students and on seeing them be successful. The community’s relationship with Penn State is outstanding.” The Penn State York Office of Continuing Education, in partnership with the School District of the City of York, coordinates Project Connections Academy. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.yk.psu.edu/projconnect/index.html. An outreach program of Penn State York | |||||
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