KleinLife, George Washington High School and Penn State Abington recently highlighted a new program that improves access to quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education for Philadelphia high school students.
The College-Bound STEM Education Program allows Penn State Abington faculty, students and alumni to teach college-level classes at KleinLife, 10100 Jamison Ave. Most of the 100 students who have taken these classes attend Washington.
A dual enrollment program allows the students to earn college credits through two modules, one focused on math and the other on STEM, taught by Penn State Abington faculty.
Margo DelliCarpini, Vice President of Commonwealth Campuses and Executive Chancellor at Penn State, said it’s PSU’s mission to provide educational resources to the community.
“We’re very proud of this program,” she said.
Steve Klein, KleinLife board chairman, said, “We’re very, very excited about it. We’re hoping it’s going to grow.”
Mark Grande, an adjunct instructor in computer science and STEM instructor for PSU Abington Continuing Education, said the students are challenged during the seven-week course and they are absorbing the instruction.
“We want to build their passion,” he said. “This is an incredible program.”
Others in attendance at KleinLife for the April 11 announcement included Antonios Pitsakis, assistant principal at Washington; state Sen. Jimmy Dillon; Michael Kagan, associate professor of physics at PSU Abington and director of the College-Bound STEM Academy Program; and Sophia Klypachevska, a Ukraine native and sophomore at Washington
Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college courses and earn both high school and college credit. Credits earned can be applied to a Penn State degree and are part of one transcript recognized at all Penn State campuses. Dual credit enrollment credit may also be transferred to another college or university. Dual enrollment can reduce the time and money invested in earning a college degree. ••
