Volume 8, Issue 1

A busy summer at BEHREND!

UPWARD BOUND and beyond...

Upward Bound was back on campus and back in the residential halls. Penn State Behrend welcomed 30 high school students to campus who stayed with us for six weeks this past summer. The students spent time dusting off those science and language arts skills as well as adding drone aerobatics. This STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) based program is all about providing career exploration and guidance in all of these areas. How you ask? The students designed rollercoasters, crushed makerspace challenges, created video games, had private cooking lessons with Behrend’s own Chef Kyle, and programmed robots of all shapes and sizes. We look forward to having them back next year.

College for Kids kicks off summer!

This summer at College for Kids there were over 90 classes offered in a variety of genres to children of all ages. Students had the option to participate for 5 weeks of morning and afternoon classes that were held in various locations on campus. These hands-on classes ranged from sculpture and art to robotics and baking. New classes, like Encanto Party, Ninja Warrior, and Tie Dye DIY were quite a hit. Children were able to explore the beautiful campus at Behrend, learn about subjects they are passionate about and create life-long friendships on the way. We ended the summer with 800 participants and are looking forward to Summer of '23!

Global Languages and Cultures...

In July 2022, Global Languages and Cultures faculty members Dr. Laurie Urraro and Dr. Frederique Marty delivered a hands-on session in Spanish and French for the LEADS program. This was our second time participating in the program coordinated by Andy Herrera. Summer 2021, students had hands-on sessions in Spanish and German. We already look forward to summer 2023 to working with this talented group of high school students again.

Click here for more information

Meet The Officers Day

(at College for Kids)

Police officers at Behrend spent the day with the participants of College for Kids (ages 6-14) for a day filled with fun. Police Officer, Dave McCaslin spent the day

showing kids a police cruiser, riot gear, answered many questions, and sponsored a blow up obstacle course for the kids to enjoy. All classes were invited to attend and had a blast racing each other! Thank you Police and Safety for keeping our campus safe and spending the day with us!

Talent Search

The Talent Search Program is a one-week residential, co-ed summer program for high school student that was held this year at Penn State Behrend. Programming included community service projects and workshops in Speech & Debate, Business, Engineering and Spanish. Participants also took part in an Etiquette lunch at the new Federal House. Attendees participated in a variety of fun activities that included Midnight Bingo, Fitness Night, Campfire Extravaganza and Yahn Planetarium, and picnic lunch at the Picnic Grove. 2022 Talent Search group also enjoyed a trip to Waldameer and an evening dinner with their family on campus.

Taking the LEAD...

The LEADS Program (which stands for Learn, Explore, Advance, Discover, and Succeed) recently concluded it summer 2022 session. LEADS is a free, nonresidential summer program that gives students entering their senior year of high school the experience of taking a college-credit course. They also participate in career exploration and college preparation workshop. This year group was featured in Smart Weather with Sara, a local meteorologist on WICU TV. See story here: https://www.erienewsnow.com/clip/15330295/penn-state-behrend-leads-program

For information about the LEADS program contact the Office of Admissions at 814-898-6100 or behrend.admissions@psu.edu

Next Step In STEM

Behrend's 2022 Next Step in STEM Outreach was held on August 8 & 9th. Middle and high school students were engaged in two different realms of science and engineering. First, the group visited Shades Beach in Harborcreek, PA to collect trash along the Lake Erie shoreline. This trash was separated and the plastic litter was carefully washed and analyzed for composition. The polyethylene portion of the trash was then chipped and re-pelletized in Behrend’s Plastics Engineering lab. The students designed studies to assess the change in properties of molded samples that contained different amounts of reclaimed lake plastic, molding several samples and testing them for tensile and impact properties. The group found staggering differences in properties when the plastic test pieces contained lake plastic! Secondly, the group worked with Dr. Ashley Russell to first learn about different types of Oligodendrocytes, or brain cells. Then the group learned how to culture and grow these cells, and they designed experiments combining different substrates (glass or plastic?) and environmental conditions to determine which combination best supported cell growth. During both days the group also worked with Mr. Jerry Magraw to take a very close look at both the plastic and cell samples using Behrend’s Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM). A great time was had by all, and the students presented their experimental approach and findings to parents and interested Behrend faculty and staff in a closing celebration meeting. Sincere thanks to the National Science Foundation (Grant # 1653629) for support of this event.

And in other news...

Yahn Planetarium Grand Re-Opening

Wednesday, Sept. 14

7:00 pm

Welcome Back from the Alternate Universe we’ve been living in for two years.

The Yahn Planetarium wants to welcome everyone back to normal with a special evening presentation.

Registration required

Call 814-898-7268 for more details

Boo-Ology

The Haunting of Behrend (science) Labs

Saturday, Oct. 28

10 am – 2pm

Penn State Behrend Science Complex

A family-friendly, science-themed Halloween event for ages 5 and up. Join the School of Science for tricks and treats.

Please call 814-898-6105 for more info)

REGISTRATION WILL BE REQUIRED

The Pennsylvania Sea Grant Program is pleased to announce two educator professional development program opportunities for:

Blending MWEE and GIS for Educators: Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy with Geospatial Technology Tools and Practice

1. Pennsylvania Sea Grant (PASG) in partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and with funding from NOAA, is now recruiting educators for round two of a free virtual educator professional development (PD) program - Blending MWEE and GIS for Educators: Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy with Geospatial Technology Tools and Practice

2. Pennsylvania Sea Grant (PASG) in partnership with New York Sea Grant (NYSG), and with funding from the Center for Great Lakes Literacy (CGLL), is providing a free school year-long educator professional development program - Blending MWEE and GIS for Educators: Expanding Meaningful Environmental and Watershed Literacy with Geospatial Technology Tools and Practice.

More details can be found on the Stroud website and registration is available at this link.

For more information or specific questions, please contact Pennsylvania Sea Grant Education Lead, Michelle Niedermeier (PA) at mxn14@psu.edu

Behrend Fall Open House

Saturday, October 8

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 Saturday, October 8, 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 behrend.admissions@psu.edu.

Graduate Degree Info Sessions

September 14th-29th

A master's degree from Behrend can help you get ahead in your career, or help your employees get skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. Attend an info session to learn about our graduate programs in Applied Clinical Psychology, Business Administration (MBA), Quality and Manufacturing Management, Professional Accounting, and Project Management. Info sessions run September 14-29. Visit behrend.psu.edu/grad to register or to talk one-on-one to grad admissions staff.

Info Sessions for Adult Learners

September 24th, November 10th

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: Saturday, September 24, at 9:30 a.m. at Metzgar Center, or Thursday, November 10, at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. For more information, visit behrend.psu.edu/adult

Women In Engineering

November 18th, 2022

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:YouthOutreach@psu.edu

First Lego League

January 14th, 2022

Penn State Behrend is an affiliate partner with FIRST and hosts a championship tournament each fall. For more information contact

FIRST-PennState@psu.edu.

Manufacturing Day

October 12, 2022

An estimate of 2,000 students, teachers, administrators, business and community leaders will be joining us in person for what we anticipate will be the largest audience of "future manufacturers" attending today!

This year's program will showcase exhibits, programs and educational breakout sessions designed for participants to experience innovative technology and learn about the many career opportunities in modern manufacturing.

Click for more information

Looking to give back to Behrend?

Consider supporting Youth Education Outreach. Funds raised through 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.

SCHEDULE AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Would you like to bring your class or group to Penn State Behrend for a fun hands-on learning experience?

You can request a customized educational experience with activities and workshops presented by the School of Engineering, Black School of Business, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, or School of Science.

You can also enjoy lunch and catch a show at Yahn Planetarium during your visit.

The Youth Education Outreach office can also bring one of its programs directly to your school. Contact Y outhOutreach@psu.edu or call 814-898-6871.