Volume 7, Issue 1

Recycling Boot Camp

Kicks Off

Alicyn Rhoades’ NSF CAREER grant sponsors an annual outreach event to showcase the Plastics Engineering and Polymer Science career opportunities to junior high and high school students. This year, new programming entitled “Recycling Boot Camp” was held on the campus of Penn State Behrend to teach students about the process of plastic recycling. 

Ten students from local schools saved their plastic waste from home for a week and brought it to campus to recycle in our Plastics Engineering Technology lab. The students started the day by identifying the different types of plastic they collected. Then they counted each family of plastic and calculated the weight fractions of each material – which is critical for cost effective recycling.

The students then prepared the plastic for recycling. They shredded their High Density Polyethylene (recycling code #2) materials, extruded to pelletized form, and injection molded test samples and Legos. Test samples were used for tensile and impact testing at various levels of recycling content.

The students then stretched and impact tested the samples to analyze changes in material properties. Everyone was surprised how much recycling affects the strength of the plastic material and how complicated the process can be! 

We hope to have students on campus as part of this grant again next year, so keep an eye on the website for more information!  

On A Wild GOOSECHASE...

In May 2021, Math Options explored math and science a new way this year ~ Math Options Scavenger Hunt. It was a two-week “Math Options Challenge” on the free GooseChase app.

The hunt included missions such as: logic puzzles, math problems, hands-on activities, STEM challenges, indoor/outdoor activities, and even watching a movie. We had 120 participants sign up for this scavenger hunt and prizes were awarded to random players. 

We look forward to being back in-person May 10, 2022 – mark your calendars. 

"BEHREND KIDS"

Come To Campus

Joining us on campus this summer were kids ages 6 -11 for a Behrend Kids program. Four weeks of day-long enrichment classes that ranged from learning about the Wintergreen Gorge and its many habitats, creating video games in coding class, working on being artists by creating beautiful mosaics and all of the cool underwater creatures in our oceans around the world.

It was great to see all of the kids back on campus taking advantage of all of the classes and fun that was offered. We plan to bring College For Kids in full swing next summer- so stay tuned for that information at a later date.

Women In Business

A Virtual Success

Our annual Women in Business event took place April 14, 2021, coordinated by Dr. Justyna Skomra, Assistant Professor of Accounting. A dozen participants from local area high schools joined in to explore their interest in business-related careers.

This year’s event was attended virtually – either from the students’ live classrooms, or individually from home, depending on the teaching format of their school. The event provided students with the opportunity to attend three sessions from different business areas (Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Marketing) presented by respective faculty.

The event also had a key note presentation by alumnus Kim Hoyt and a student panel discussion with student ambassadors to answer questions from participating students. 

The Black School of Business has introduced a new opportunity that connects educators and students with business professionals. This Business Outreach Program can enhance a K-12 classroom curriculum—at no expense to the K-12 school—by providing access to online programming through a resource portal.

If you’d like to explore the portal, you can find it at https://sites.psu.edu/psbehrendbusinesstopics/

 Check out the many presentations and experiential activities that are available on a variety of business topics. This Business Outreach Program can enhance classroom curriculum by:

•      Providing engaging, expert, virtual business programming to K-12 students.

•      Helping schools meet required Pennsylvania System Aligned Standards (SAS).

*    Giving students the opportunity to engage with faculty members at the college level while still in high school.

Behrend Fall Open House

Saturday, October 9

Whether you’re a high school student or a parent, you know that college decisions can be intimidating. Let us show you all that Penn State Behrend offers! Join us from 9:00 a.m. to noon. You can talk to current students and faculty, hear about our 40+ degree options, learn more about admissions and financial aid, and explore our beautiful campus. Visit behrend.psu.edu/pennstateday.

Plus: We’ll waive Penn State’s $65 application fee for any students who have previously participated in a YEO program! Just contact [email protected]. 

Info Sessions for Adult Learners

Wednesday, October 20, or Saturday, November 13.

Maybe you have some college credits already, or maybe you’re new to higher education. No matter your situation, we can help you get your college degree as an adult. Take the next step at one of our upcoming info sessions for adult learners. For more information, visit behrend.psu.edu/adult. 

Introductory Excel Course

The Office of Community and Workforce Programs at Behrend was awarded the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career grant that provides a career pathway for data analytics. The training includes Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced Microsoft Excel courses, Microsoft Access, Fundamentals of Statistical Process Control (SPC), Data Analytics, and Robotics. 

All training courses are completely funded by the grant with no participant fees, participants can take all the classes or select as needed and based on prior experience. Classes will be held in person at Penn State Behrend in the AMIC building.

The target audience is out-of-school youth, adults with barriers to employment, dislocated workers, and those who are unemployed or underemployed. Please share this opportunity with family, friends, and other members of the community that might qualify. Pennsylvania residency is a requirement of this grant.

Additional information and a registration link can be found at this link: Industry 4.0 Center of Excellence | Penn State Behrend (psu.edu)

To learn more about industry projects or individual training, visit behrend.psu.edu/cwp or contact Ryan Parker, Community and Workforce Programs, at [email protected] or by calling 814-898-6515.

Women In Engineering Thursday, November 4,

Women in Engineering day will be held in-person and on campus. This program is designed to introduce the world of engineering careers to high school students. If you are interested in participating in the program by either presenting or bringing students, please reach out to us at [email protected] for more information. 

Business Day

Friday, November 12

The 9th Annual Black School of Business Day will be held at Penn State Behrend. Business Day allows high school students to participate in mock business classes and interactive presentations. 

The event aims to give students a sense of options within the business world, with a taste of the college experience. The event opens at 9:00 a.m. and finishes at 2:00 p.m. A light breakfast and a dining hall lunch are planned. 

Penn State has a mask-mandate while indoors for all students, faculty, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.

Watch your inbox for information or reach out to Ms. Jessica Snider with inquiries at  [email protected]. 

Looking to give back to Behrend?



Consider supporting Youth Education Outreach this #GivingTuesday. Funds raised through #GivingTuesday will support all K-12 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) outreach across the college. There is always a need for technology and equipment to share the passion of STEAM with youth and support the office's many programs. 

Show support for our Penn State Behrend Lions by checking out the Athletics page for team schedules and events.