Fox Chapel Area School District has partnered with six school districts to lead a STEM advancement effort for students and educators in Western Pennsylvania.

The district announced in September it was awarded a $480,000 PAsmart Advancing Grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The grant will help to support educational opportunities and experiences for students enrolled in computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) courses.

Through the grant, Fox Chapel Area School District is collaborating with these districts: Leechburg Area, Freeport Area, New Kensington- Arnold, Aliquippa, Duquesne City, and Grove City Area.

The STEM initiative has four main goals: to increase access to digital fabrication learning experiences, cultivate educators to increase success and sustainability, increase efficiency in the facilitation of STEM learning, and increase STEM activation, with an emphasis among traditionally underrepresented students.

Jill Leonard, Fox Chapel Area’s community engagement manager, pointed out the participating districts are large and small. Fox Chapel Area enrolls more than 4,000 students while Leechburg Area enrolls about 650 students.

“Partnering with school systems that are similar and different from one another helps the collaboration and learning to be richer for all,” Leonard said. “The partner systems are committed to working collaboratively to implement the grant.”

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review Mary Catherine Reljac is superintendent of the Fox Chapel Area School District.  

The program is for all students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

More than 200 teachers and 5,600 students in Western Pennsylvania will be involved.

Leechburg Area Superintendent Tiffany Nix said training for teachers is expected to begin this winter.

“This collaboration opens the door to state-of-the-art professional development for our science teachers, which will in turn provide our students with the absolute best scientific and experiential education,” Nix said. “We’re grateful for this opportunity.”

Louis B. Ruediger | Tribune-Review Leechburg Area biology teacher Ann Fischer works with her students last month.  

STEM teachers at the elementary level will receive professional training on next-generation concepts, including engineering design theory, systems thinking and sensemaking.

The training and professional development sessions will be taught by representatives from the Consortium for Public Education, the National Science Teaching Association and Fox Chapel Area School District.

Fox Chapel Area Superintendent Mary Catherine Reljac praised the collaboration, adding that no matter what school colors happen to be worn in classrooms, she believes everyone is stronger as a region, working together, in the best interests of students.

“The (Fox Chapel Area School District) is proud to lead this collaboration to provide critical professional learning to educators,” Reljac said. “Joining together helps us to access a wider range of expertise, support a community of learners and create sustainable systems.”

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