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Early Fall Updates 2023

9/22/2023

 

Education Vanguard: Future Readiness Conference 2023

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The Future Readiness Academy at Penn State New Kensington is proud to announce its inaugural regional conference: Education Vanguard: Building the Education of the Future Together. Educators, academics and industry leaders from across the region are invited to a conference that will feature presentations by leading technologists, innovators and faculty experts discussing the latest in technology and the expected impact on workplace, workforce and academia.

WHO: K-12 educators, Higher Education Faculty, and Business, Industry, Non-Profits and Think-Tanks
WHERE: Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry Twp.
​WHEN: Thursday, October 12 - Saturday, October, 14, 2023
​
LEARN MORE + REGISTER
CONFERENCE FLIER

FREE BirdBrain Teacher Professional Development


​Learn the nuts and bolts of robotics and coding through hands-on experiences and how to integrate robotics into any subject or grade level.
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Cultural Connections with Hummingbird
Cohort 1: October 14 – December 4
Cohort 2: December 9 – February 5

Python with Finch Robot
Cohort 1: October 7 – November 18
Cohort 2: December 2 – January 20
LEARN MORE + REGISTER

Pennsylvania KidWind Challenge Workshop

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KidWind is a free workshop open to all educators. As a participant, you will engage in activities that will introduce you to the science behind wind energy while putting easy-to-use tools in your hands to prepare students to compete in the KidWind Challenge.

WHO: Teachers of students in grades 4-12
WHERE: Rm 223, Frable Building, Penn State Greater Allegheny
​WHEN: October 7, 2023, 9 A.M. - 3 P.M.

LEARN MORE
APPLY

JV Manufacturing 2nd Annual Manufacturing Day

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JV Manufacturing is excited to announce its 2nd annual Manufacturing Day. Their goal is to expose the community to what manufacturing companies look like in their own backyard. JV Manufacturing will be offering tours, activities, food, and happy hour. Please extend this invite to your colleagues in the community.

WHO: Educators and families
WHERE: 1603 Burtner Road, Natrona Heights, PA 15065
WHEN: Thursday, October 19th, 3:00-6:00 PM
​

LEARN MORE
RSVP

ABC CREATE LEADS + Consortium for Public Education

Join ABC CREATE and the Consortium for Public Education (CPE) for this continuing professional development session for 2022-23 ABC CREATE LEADS participants focusing on implementing project-based learning, and/or deepening career-readiness opportunities in your classrooms or schools.
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​WHO:
Educators and administrators who participated in any of the following 2022-23 CPE PD:
  • Education-Workforce-Community Partnership
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Educator in the Workplace
WHERE: Penn State New Kensington
WHEN: Wednesday, November 15 - 8:30am - 2:30pm
​

Participating educators will receive more information via email soon.
​

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award


​Any formal or informal educator, counselor, administrator, mentor, or other influencer who provides educational opportunities and supports the computing-related passions of 9th-12th grade women, genderqueer, or non-binary students is welcome to apply for the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Educator Award. 
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This award honors those who work inside and/or outside of classroom spaces to advocate for gender equity in computing by providing educational opportunities that are inclusive to--and supportive of-- women, genderqueer, and non-binary students. The award recognizes these educators for their efforts to promote gender equity in computing. 

Applications are now open through December 4, 2023.
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LEARN MORE
APPLY NOW

Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference (TRETC)


You are invited to attend this year’s Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference (TRETC) at South Fayette High School!

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On January 15, 2024 our region’s leading change makers will be coming together to support this year’s theme of Transformative EdTech: Revolutionizing Learning and Work. Through the integration of educational technology, students have before them the opportunity to experience the pathway to “what is next” while in the classroom.  These pathways, using new and equitable learning models, lead to networks that design a strong foundation and momentum in future careers.

Evening Innovation in Education Award & Networking Event  
Date: January 14, 2024
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Location: TBA

 
TRETC 2024 Conference
Date: January 15, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
Location: South Fayette High School | McDonald, PA 15057


 Please visit the TRETC event site to:
  • Register
  • Submit a proposal to lead a session or workshop
  • Nominate an innovative educator, leader, or friend of education
  • Compete in the Esport competition
  • Apply for the student showcase
  • Sponsor as an exhibitor or vendor

For Students

NCWIT Aspirations in Computing High School Award


​The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) High School Award honors 9
th-12th grade women, genderqueer, or non-binary students for their computing-related achievements and interests, and encourages them to pursue their passions. ​
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Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and future plans.

Applications are now open through November 6, 2023.
​
LEARN MORE
APPLY NOW

CodeJoy Interactive Virtual Field Trips for Students 

Join Kelsey and Matt the Robot from CodeJoy for a FREE interactive virtual field trip session for STUDENTS - scheduled at YOUR convenience! Student participants watch as their code controls real robots in the CodeJoy studio - LIVE! No coding experience or robots needed – just Chromebooks or computers.
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WHO: 3rd – 8th grade classes
WHERE: Online. You’ll be sent the link to connect after you register
WHEN: Sessions begin in late November 2023

More information about registration will be shared later this fall.

LEARN MORE: Head to CodeJoy Virtual Student Sessions to learn more about the sessions and read testimonials from teachers.

Idea Challenge: Young Innovator’s Edition (HS)

ABC CREATE is pleased to connect our districts to the Idea Challenge: Young Innovator’s Edition: a free opportunity through PSNK’s Corner Launchbox for high school students and their teachers to experience and develop entrepreneurial mindsets along with problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. ​
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  • Build.org is partnering with us (PSNK Corner LaunchBox/ABC CREATE). The Pittsburgh Readiness Institute is also supporting this challenge.
    • Build.org will provide educator sponsors with 10 hours of free PD to help them to support their students
      • Human-centered design curriculum
      • Digitized learning platform to help guide teams
    • Educator Sponsors can receive a $125 DonorsChoose gift card
    • Winner of the Idea Challenge: Young Innovator’s Edition will move on as a Top 10 team in the BUILDFest SWPA competition in Spring 2024
    • Modeled after Penn State’s Pitch competition
  • Teams selected for the final round can receive 1:1 mentoring with innovation coaches
  • Could be a classroom activity or part of an extracurricular club or organization
  • We expect to have about 5 teams of 2 – 6 students/team move on to the final round to compete.
  • Depending on levels of interest, it may be that a teacher brings an entire class to the Kick-Off.  A subset of that class will form your team that will compete at the January Idea Challenge: Young Innovator’s Edition competition. We’d love to have the rest of the class attend to observe the pitch competition and to support their team.
  • First step: Submit your Expression of Interest by September 29th. Space is limited, so be sure to submit your form on time.
  • If you have questions, please contact Joanna Sutton, Innovation Coordinator, Corner LaunchBox at [email protected].
Submit an Expression of Interest

Penn State’s Sea, Air, Land (SEAL) Challenge
​ - MS Edition

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Middle school students are invited to enter this hands on, real world, exciting robotics competition. Teams can choose their challenge:
  • Sea Challenge - Build and then drive using a camera an underwater robot in a pool
  • Air Challenge - Fly a drone with a camera in the gymnasium to deliver payloads
  • Land Challenge - Build and deploy an autonomous land rover through an obstacle course

WHO: Middle school students
WHERE: Competition will be held at the Franklin Regional Middle School in Murrysville, PA
WHEN: April/May 2024
​

LEARN MORE
REGISTER

For Everyone

Willie Thrower “1st SNAP” 70th Anniversary Celebration

  • In celebration of New Kensington’s Hometown Hero, Willie Thrower, the modern NFL’s first Black Quarterback
  • Activities range from a parade, to a cook-out, to skills and drills camps, to a live broadcast
  • On October 12, from 1 - 3 PM, visit the Childrens’ Tables for STEAM Activities
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WHO: Everyone is welcome!
WHERE: Downtown New Kensington
WHEN: Activities on October 12, 14, 15, and 18 (see flier for more information)


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    REGISTER SOON!

    Unleash Your Students' Creativity with Code/Art!
    Monday, October 25​
    REGISTER

    2025 CSforAllPA
    ​REGSITER
    Monday November 17
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Connect with us:

 Melinda Spampinato
ABC CREATE Educational Consultant
​
[email protected]
Penn State New Kensington
3550 7th Street Road
New Kensignton, PA 15068
  • HOME
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