NEWS RELEASE - Norwin School District

NEWS RELEASE

MARCH 9, 2015 NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 281 MCMAHON DRIVE NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA 15642 CONTACT: Mr. Jonathan D. Szish, Coordinator of School and Community Relations, 724-861-3000 ext. 1150 or [email protected]

NORWIN STEM EDUCATION OPTIONS INCREASING $500,000 State Grant Expands Student Programming; FBI Partnership Creates Proposed Cyber Security Course NORTH HUNTINGDON — Norwin School District’s STEM education programming has grown in recent years and is poised to expand because of a major state grant as well as other key investments. That was the theme of a presentation that three Norwin administrators made to the Board of Education at their March 9, 2015, Workshop Session. Norwin School District received a $500,000 Math and Science grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education this school year. Norwin Administration will use the grant to make the following curriculum, programming, and technology equipment purchases: A 3-D Laser Scanner For a quick, at-a-glance look at Norwin’s STEM and Laser Engraver for the High School; iPads for Grades 5-6 Education offerings, please click here. and High School Chemistry classes; laptops for High School math classes; classroom plasma screens at Hillcrest, Sheridan Terrace, and the High School; a multimedia projector for the High School auditorium; and replacement textbooks for biology, chemistry, and computer programming courses. The grant must be spent by June 30. The School District hopes to apply for a similar Math and Science Grant to be used in the 2015-16 school year. District officials credit the work of State Senator Kim Ward for securing the grant. Additionally, the Administration is working with the Pittsburgh office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to develop a Cyber Security course for High School students. This will be part of the Business Education Department curriculum. The FBI contacted Norwin School District Administration about their interest in creating this collaborative program after reading about the District’s STEM Innovation Program. If all goes according to plan, the new Cyber Security class may be available for High School students beginning with the 2016-2017 school year. The goal is to provide and grow a leadership program and curriculum that will interest potential recruits who may choose a service career with the FBI and connect students to a college or university for dual-enrollment purposes. The FBI has 35,000 employees, including 14,000 special agents, 3,000 intelligence agents, and more than 18,000 support professionals such as language specialists, scientists, computer experts, and other professionals. The mission of the FBI is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners. One of the three presenters at the Board of Education meeting, Dr. Tracy McNelly, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, said that at each grade level, Norwin School District has expanded STEM educational programming for students in both curricular and extracurricular areas during the past five years. For a one-page summary of Norwin School District STEM educational offerings, please click here. Mrs. Natalie McCracken, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education, noted advancements in the incorporation of technology in K-4 classrooms through the purchase, training, and implementation of five iPads per classroom and the inclusion of a classroom budget for educational apps this year. Five iPads are planned for each grade 5 and 6 classroom for 2015-2016. Additionally, a new Accelerated Mathematics course was implemented for qualifying grade 5 students to prepare them for the rigorous content of the pre-Algebra curriculum in grade 6. Elementary robotics and the STEM Next Page, Please

Squires program continue to provide opportunities for young learners to explore STEM curriculum and careers. Elementary and secondary students will have the opportunity to participate in 16 summer STEM camps created and instructed by District teachers, with four new camps planned for 2015, including We’re Alive! Biology Camp, Advanced Game Design - Portal 2, Mental Athletes, and Click, Click, Move: Stop Motion Mini-Movies. The third presenter, Dr. William Kerr, Superintendent of Schools, said the Administration continues to expand learning opportunities for all K-12 students by seeking state and foundation financial support for STEM education. “The District acknowledges new funding revenue streams initiated by teachers and administrators who have applied for several grant-funded projects which have been awarded and implemented with much success,” Dr. Kerr said. “The collaboration internally among the professional staff and externally with outside agencies clearly demonstrates the commitment by educators to enhance teaching and learning across the K-12 spectrum.” For a partial list of grants received by Norwin educators and administrators since 2009, please click here. Educators continue to identify best practices through improved instructional delivery and learning opportunities that will connect business and education, with the goal of better preparing students for today’s workforce and career skills. A highpriority goal of establishing business-education partnerships remains, with the intent of implementing more mentorships, internships, and work-study programs for secondary students. The Board and Administration continue to pursue foundation and state funding and individual contributions that are critical to the proposed plans of a Norwin STEM Innovation Center, which focuses on repurposing instructional space with some additions to the High School facility. The STEM Center remains a concept; however, the School District and the Norwin School District Community Foundation continue working together to identify outside funding sources that will financially help move the project forward in cooperation with School District officials. Related to the STEM Center, Norwin School District’s budget for the state Math and Science grant also calls for spending $17,500 on architect’s fees, and $85,000 is tentatively reserved for schematic design of the proposed STEM Center, pending School Board approval. The Board and Administration continue to review the Conceptual Design and Educational Specifications for the project developed by Hayes Large Architects. Related to the FBI collaboration, Dr. Kerr and Mr. Joe Shigle, Coordinator of Safe Schools, are participating in the FBI Pittsburgh Citizens Academy evening classes now through April, which will provide a better understanding of the FBI organization and its people, building professional working relationships with schools, corporations, and non-profit organizations. The intent is to better understand the FBI’s desire and commitment to make the greater community a safe and better place to live. Dr. Kerr also plans to attend the Pittsburgh Business Times’ March 25 STEM luncheon, which will feature a keynote speaker followed by a panel discussion with representatives from business, academia and the foundation community. The event is called “STEM: Creating a Regional Model for Economic and Workforce Development.” Other Westmoreland County leaders plan to attend, including members of Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland. “Once again, this type of forum in Pittsburgh validates the fact that Norwin School District and its STEM Education programs are on the correct pathway,” Dr. Kerr said. “It’s about attracting and creating a highly skilled workforce for the region.”

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