Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus will present a series of summer programs for children ages 6 to 12 and for teenagers.
Jessica Davis, area representative in the outreach and continuing education office at Penn State, said the programs will include a Science Forensics program for students entering high school.
Conducted by Nicole Perret of the math department at Penn State, this program will provide academic support for kids who need help in math and in science.
First, students will learn to think scientifically; that is, they will learn how to formulate and to test a hypothesis. They also will learn the periodic table of elements.
Students then will apply this knowledge in many activities, such as analyzing the pH levels of water and also measuring water's iron and oxygen content. Students also will assess stream health by using math to calculate the biodiversity of the streams that they study. Future engineers also will learn the engineering method: define, design, discuss, decide, then do it.
"There also will be a mining camp for ninth- through 12th-graders, where students will learn about coal, how it is processed," Davis said. "Most importantly, students will learn what happens to the coal once it leaves the mine."
The course will include a tour of the Coal and Coke Heritage Center and will be capped with a tour of an actual mine.
Countdown to College is for college-bound students who need some guidance in the college application process.
The program will touch on five topics: selecting the right degree program, writing an effective entrance essay, preparing for entrance exams, writing an effective resume and study skills.
Kids in College is a program that will give young children a chance to experience a college campus.
Other programs include basketball, tennis, Spanish, algebra and many arts-based programs, including writing and drawing.
Joseph Segilia, director of outreach at Penn State Fayette, said the purpose of the programs is to keep kids engaged over the summer.
"We want to keep them busy, but in a fun way," Segilia said. "There's no homework. No tests. These programs keep kids thinking."
He said there's a definite educational aspect to the courses
"There's a lot of focus on math and science," he said. "We feel strongly about keeping the educational aspects while kids are having fun. It's easier for kids to remember things when they can see practical application of knowledge."
Segilia said many kids participate in the program throughout high school.
"Many parents are involved also," he said. "They call and ask for our schedules."
Segilia said the children are monitored at all times while on campus.
"We have college students who help with the programs. These students help supervise the children," Segilia said. "Everyone must sign in and sign out. We know where everyone is at all times."
He also said Penn State works closely with local school districts to pick the best teachers.
"We look for creative teachers, who can bring diversity to their courses," Segilia said. "We also look for teachers who are flexible in their teaching style and who can recognize different gifts in children. Of course, all teachers have their clearances."
He said it's important to encourage interest in college when children are young.
"We want to bring young people to campus, and give them a chance to see a real college," he said. "Many people on campus are the first generation in their family to go to college."
Segilia also thinks this program will be helpful to high school students because "it gives them an opportunity to explore courses that they don't have time to study during the school year. "
For more information about courses, schedules and cost, call the Penn State Fayette Continuing Education Office at 724-430-4100.
