October 15, 2024

Presentations

EVERFI: Katie McMeans & Kristin Blaze

Lia Hazelwood, CCBC Dual Enrollment and Retention Specialist

K-12 Guidance Plan (339)

• Phase 1 – March 31, 2024

• Phase 2 – March 31, 2025

• Phase 3 – March 31, 2026

Phase 3 Districts:

Albert Gallatin Area SD

Bentworth SD

Burgettstown Area SD

Canon-McMillan SD

Frazier SD

Intermediate Unit 1

Laurel Highlands SD

McGuffey SD

Ringgold SD

Uniontown Area SD

• Check the Master List here.

Chapter 339 Toolkit

Plan Crossover Document

Online Testing

• PA Assessments Updates

• Online Tools Training

• The PSSA Science field test can be administered online. The enrollment system will default to online enrollment for 2025 Science. ELA and Mathematics enrollments will be based on 2024 tested counts.

October Updates from PDE

Updates

Karen Rubican

Personal Finance

• Personal Finance Toolkit

College Board

SAT/PSAT

Key Action Step: Test Staff Must Update Accounts due to Account Migration

Critical administration readiness information: As you prepare for the upcoming SAT Suite test administrations, please note that test staff will not be able to administer a test without an updated College Board account. Ensure all supporting test staff (including proctors and tech administrators) have completed this update by asking them to sign in to their College Board accounts now. Please visit our help page if you have any questions.

All professional College Board account users who do not update their accounts by January 2025 will lose access to their      accounts.

AP

Digital AP Exams Webinar Recording

If you missed the first webinar in our digital AP Exams webinar series, you can watch the on-demand recording at https://collegeboard.zoom.us/rec/share/OW2liYFUMZQLz-hbrdqNnuYmdKEyJubWc2TXl8HiMXFjGYQHBc0eTPWs8sWeyLNB.hVXeYryNKMZUUgS7?pwd=Q4nsOUvVQNGDDrVKUlNJWaYg5xuD9qRk.

Register and enter passcode: 2025APExam# to view.

AP Course and Exam Changes Webpage

We now have a centralized page of the most recent AP course and exam changes as well as plans for future changes.  Thanks to this page, you’ll be able to:

• Stay in the know about which AP courses have planned updates or revisions.

• Find links and insight to the most current Course and Exam Descriptions and frameworks.

• Know when the revisions are coming to help make PD and instructional decisions.

SAP Team Info

• Student Assistance Site

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Career Readiness Opportunities: Elizabeth Meerdo

CCBC--Washington County College Center, McMurray Information:

Lia Hazelwood has created a calendar with a few open dates each month for her to visit your school and to share about CCBC's College Here and Now High School Pathways. 

To make an appointment, you can choose for her to meet with your counseling department or a group of teachers to share information on CCBC's High School Academies.  Also, Lia can present to a classroom of students about CCBC's high school programs, and she can provide an interactive activity for students about a specific Academy or degree program offered at CCBC.  

Lia can also meet to discuss dual enrollment and college in high school opportunities. When filling in the calendar meeting request, please share which of these options you would find most beneficial for that day with inside of the box titled, “Please share anything that will help prepare for our meeting.”

To schedule a date for a visit with Lia Hazelwood, click HERE! 

(Please email her at lia.hazelwood@ccbc.edu if Calendly link won't open for you.) 

Below are PDFs on the new teacher qualifications for CCBC's College in High School program along with a PDF that shares course offerings that CCBC currently has with its high school partners.  Lia would love to have the opportunity to explore possible college in high school options with your school and students.

CCBC College in High School Teacher Qualifications 

CCBC College in High School Course Offerings 

CCBC Upcoming Fall Events for Students:

CCBC--Washington College Center Nursing Information Session "Hometown Healthcare"

Wednesday, October 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Western Area Career & Technology Center

An informational session about health sciences career pathways available in Washington County.

Choose from: 

• Nursing Associate Degree (RN)

• Nursing LPN to RN Program

To register-- CCBC Washington County Nursing-Information Session  

CCBC--Washington College Center Open House/Showcase will be held on Thursday, November 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 625 East McMurray Road, McMurray; Door 13 in the back of the building--follow the signs.

Associate degrees, personal enrichment classes, workforce certifications, micro-credentials, high school academies, dual enrollment, and College in High School offerings will be discussed.

Explore and learn about the course offerings and programs that CCBC will offer at the new Washington County site. Drop in to get program and enrollment information and meet the deans, Champions, and faculty!  Anyone in the community who is interested in learning about what CCBC has to offer, from high schoolers to adult learners, are welcome to attend.  

Please drop in at any time between 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to meet and greet the faculty, tour the classrooms, hear about Program Pathways, and check out their Washington County location!  Sophomores and juniors come and meet the High School Academy team and hear about CCBC's High School Academies.

RSVP HERE for the CCBC Washington College Center Open House/Showcase

Open House/Showcase Information for CCBC Washington College Center 

Any questions about CCBC? Email Lia Hazelwood at: Lia.Hazelwood@ccbc.edu 

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Career Readiness Opportunities:

Build-On 2024: Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania

Over 30 construction union locals offering hands-on demonstrations and apprentice and career information

WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1st
TIME: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER 1000 Ft. Duquesne Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

WHO: STUDENTS (Grades 5-12) 

Meet with regional building trade unions and industry partners who are seeking career minded individuals.

Speak with apprentices, training directors, recruiters, and others who can provide greater insight into all of these well-paying, sustainable careers.

Learn about educational pathways through no-cost apprenticeship programs, endorsed pre-apprenticeship programs as well as two-year degree programs offered by area community colleges. Discover how these programs can work, stand-alone or in concert, to build a sustainable, lucrative, and satisfying career. 

Students will unquestionably leave with a better understanding of what careers in the construction and allied industries have to offer.

To register, click HERE 

The Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania is a unique labor/management initiative of the building and construction trade unions of Western Pennsylvania and local professional contractor associations. 

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St. Vincent College Flexible Futures Through the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

November 1  from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the campus of St. Vincent College (300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA 15650)

Lunch will be provided and campus tours available. 

Sessions will explore opportunities in the arts, humanities, and social sciences and help you learn about how these fields can help you build skills that prepare you for an enriched life and a range of possible careers. Students will be able to select from activities including creative writing and publishing, education through creation, approaches to mental health, philosophical and historical reasoning, digital arts, crafting, Chinese calligraphy, and more. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with our music and theater programs.

Participate in hands-on sessions related to: 

• mental health

• AI and professional writing

• letterpress publishing

• philosophical and historical reasoning

• arts and entrepreneurship

• education through creation

• digital arts and more!

Teachers who would like to bring a group of students are welcome to have them register individually or to work with Rachel Rhoads (rachel.rhoads@stvincent.edu) to register the group.

Exploring Flexible Futures Through the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Flyer (REGISTRATION LINK IS ON FLYER)

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Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy

Join Catalyst Connection and The Consortium for Public Education for a professional learning experience called Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy! During this unique experience you will learn how the manufacturing industry is using emerging Industry 4.0 technologies to revolutionize the way they manufacture, improve and distribute their products. After attending this experience, you will know how you can take the knowledge you gained back into your classroom to expose today’s learners of these high-demand and high-paying career pathways. 

What to expect during the experience:

• Learn about a variety of emerging technologies and create a plan of action for taking the knowledge into your classroom and district.

• Join a peer network community of fellow educators for collaboration opportunities both short-term and long-term.

• Network with resource providers, partner organizations, and manufacturing industry representatives.

Attend the academy with another teacher from your district to cross collaborate (this is not a requirement, but it's highly recommended!). 

Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy Flyer 

Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy Sessions:

1-Day Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy General Session
November 13, 2024
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
@ Butler County Community College
107 College Dr, Butler, PA 16002

Register Here for the November 13 Session 

1-Day Industry 4.0 Teacher Academy General Session
December 11th, 2024
8 a.m.-3 p.m.
@ Westmoreland County Community College Advanced Technology Center
1001 Technology Dr, Mt Pleasant, PA 15666

Register Here for the December 11 Session 

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UPMC Pathways for Students

UPMC’s Pathways for Students Educational Career Event will be held on Wednesday, December 4th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. Lunch will be provided, and transportation assistance is available upon request. This event is for high school students. 

Give your students the opportunity to learn about more than 40 career areas with one of the region's largest employers, UPMC. With engaging hands-on displays from departments such as:

• Nursing

• Patient Care

• Labs

• Imaging

• Sports Medicine

• Emergency Medicine

• Nutrition

• Behavioral Health

• Respiratory

• Construction

• Pharmacy

• Legal

• Marketing

• Human Resources

• Analytics

"We are so excited to bring you an opportunity for your students to connect with representatives from 40+ career areas for the region’s largest employer. We will have representatives bringing hands-on, engaging displays for your students to interact with from a variety of job fields: everything from Nursing, Therapy, and Labs to Legal, HR, Actuary and Finance. We will truly have a career area for every student interest. UPMC is lucky to have employees who love their jobs, and we are thrilled to give your students a chance to connect with employees and gain inspiration for their career journey."

To register: UPMC Pathways for Students Registration 

For transportation assistance, please reach out to Gina Barrett with the Consortium for Public Education at gbarrett@tcfpe.org

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CNX Mentorship Academy

The Mentorship Academy is an initiative of CNX Foundation and part of CNX’s commitment to investing in its local community. Designed for high school students who do not plan to immediately attend a four-year college, the Academy is focused on providing urban and rural youth from historically marginalized Appalachian communities with greater opportunities—helping provide these young adults a bridge to family-sustaining careers. Following the mentorship program, students will have developed new relationships with peers and business leaders across western Pennsylvania, a new excitement for the region’s career opportunities and an understanding of how to pursue those careers.

Interested in joining the 2024-2025 class? The application period is now open. Please use the link below to apply and for more information:

https://www.cnx.com/about-us/the_mentorship-academy

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Thank you to those who were able to attend our Career Mobile Lab Launch Event on September 24.  The following flyers were shared at the event:

Elementary Career Readiness Program Flyer 

Secondary Career Readiness Program Flyer 

To request a visit from me, click  HERE 

November 19, 2024

11/19/2024 Attendance (please complete to help us with state reporting)

Updates: Karen Rubican (PDF of Karen's Presentation) 

School Counselor Advisor Updates

Career Awareness--PAIU Presentation from 11/14/2024

Standards:

• • • Final-form Academic Standards for Personal Finance (Appendix F) (PDF)

    • Final-form Academic Standards for Career Education and Work (Appendix E-1) (PDF)

    • Final-form Academic Standards for Economics (Appendix C-1) (PDF)

    • Final-form Academic Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences (Appendix D-1)​​ (PDF)

Career Readiness Opportunities--Elizabeth Meerdo

Scaling Industry Experiences with Pathful through Virtual Industry Led Projects

PDE has confirmed that each student who completes one of the Pathful Industry Led Projects can be counted toward the Work-Based Learning benchmark for the Future Ready PA Index. A vast majority of schools have fewer than 10% of students with a documented work-based learning experience. 

Utilizing Pathful's extensive network of industry professionals for project mentorship and feedback and providing access to pre-built industry led projects can dramatically enhance access to these valuable experiences without anyone having to worry about transportation. 

We'll learn about these new tools and other ways to leverage the Pathful network to ensure ALL students have an opportunity to engage with the professional community.

Date: December 5, 2024 from 11 a.m.-Noon

Registration - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scaling-industry-experiences-w-pathful-thru-virtual-industry-led-projects-tickets-1076767985029

NEW! STEM Academy in Cybersecurity launching at CCBC Washington County College Center, McMurray, in the fall of 2025.  

The CCBC STEM Academy offers three dynamic pathways in Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity.

For more information: CCBC STEM Academy Information (Scan the QR code at the bottom of the PDF for more details and a video)

If you have any questions, please reach out to Lia Hazelwood at lia.hazelwood@ccbc.edu  

Calling All High School Students! PennDOT Announces Eighth Annual Innovations Challenge!

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced its eighth annual Innovations Challenge, which encourages students to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all students in grades 9-12, regardless of their school’s learning model.

To see the guidelines for the Innovations Challenge, please visit the highlighted links. 

For this year’s challenge, students are asked to develop a cost-effective, innovative solution that can help PennDOT more effectively increase awareness of seat belt safety and change behavior to improve roadway safety.

For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/innovation and scroll down to select the blue Innovations Challenge tile box. 

The submission deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.

For questions or more information, email PennDOT’s Bureau of Innovations at:  DOTInnovations@pa.gov.

WQED Film Academy

Join WQED Film Academy—in-person or virtually—to learn how to become a digital storyteller.

WQED Film Academy draws on its partnership with teaching artists and professional mentors to teach a curriculum of the basics of digital media arts – what we call SCALE: storytelling, camera, audio, lighting, and editing. The curriculum is more than 100 hours of hands-on and collaborative learning and uses the latest digital media technology.

Each class produces their own short film by the end of the session.

There are three sessions per year: Summer, Fall and Spring. Scholarships are available.

Upon successful completion of WQED Film Academy, students can apply to the Teen Film Crew. The Teen Film Crew gets paid while they continue to build their skills creating promotional videos for clients. The teaching artists work with the students as a team – just as they would in a professional agency.

More information on the WQED Film Academy is available at this link.

Amazon Future Engineer

Virtual field trips to explore careers of the future are free, interactive and inspire students to pursue careers of the future by exploring Amazon’s technologies. A teacher’s toolkit with activities is included.  Teachers can receive a $5 Amazon gift card by completing a survey after each virtual field trip. Tour whenever, wherever by playing the tour on Kahoot! There are four tour options available on Kahoot!

Explore Amazon Future Engineer at this link.

January 14, 2025

School Counselor Topics

• Google Form

PA School Counselor Updates

• Updates

Firefly Benchmarks Data

• Demo

Everfi Scholarship Opportunities

FutureSmart Scholarship- To enter, students must complete at least three (3) modules from either the FutureSmart or SmartEconomics programs. Participants are also required to submit a short essay (350-500 words) addressing a question about their future and explaining how the financial knowledge gained from these modules can help them achieve their goals and dreams. 

Application Deadline: January 13, 2025 

Prize: $2,000 - $5,000 529 College Savings Gift Card

Financial Futures Tax Simulation Scholarship- In partnership with Intuit for Education, one student winner will be awarded $2,500 in educational funding from each semester-based entry period during the 2024-25 school year. The Financial Futures Student Scholarship Contest is open to students (age 13-19) who have completed at least one lesson within the course Tax Simulation: Understanding Taxes. To enter for a chance-to-win, students will be asked to submit an application form and share how learning about tax topics has made an impact on their life through a reflection essay (200-500 words). 

Application Deadline: January 12, 2025 

Prize: $2,500 in educational funding

Credit Worthy Scholarship Contest- OneMain Financial will be awarding thirty-six students nationally with $1,000 in educational funding. The Credit Worthy Scholarship is open to U.S. high school students between 13-19 years old who have completed Build: Credit Fundamentals or at least 3 modules of a course offered in the Credit Worthy program presented by OneMain Financial. Students will submit a short essay about what they learned and how the Credit Worthy program by OneMain Financial has made an impact on them for a chance to win.

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025 

Prize: $1,000 in educational funding

If any of your teachers need help getting started on the digital lessons correlated to the scholarships, they can reach out to my colleagues Darren and Sean at K12support@everfi.com

AP Updates from Collegeboard

Webinar - Success Stories: AP Excellence in Rural and Small Schools in Pennsylvania (sponsored by PARSS)

Join us for an inspiring webinar featuring the remarkable achievements of rural and small schools in Pennsylvania that have successfully grown their AP programs and earned the prestigious AP School Honor Roll award.

Panelists from these award-winning schools will share their journeys, strategies, and best practices for overcoming challenges and fostering academic excellence. Attendees will gain valuable insights into:

• Innovative Approaches: Learn how these schools have implemented creative solutions to expand their AP offerings.

• Teacher and Student Support: Discover effective methods for training teachers and supporting students in AP courses.

• Community Engagement: Understand the role of community and parental involvement in building successful AP programs.

• Sustainable Growth: Explore strategies for maintaining and growing AP programs in rural and small school settings. 

Whether you are an educator, administrator, or community member, this webinar will provide you with practical tools and inspiration to enhance AP opportunities in your own school.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your AP program to new heights!

This event will take place on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and will be held virtually.  Register at https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/N01vqy by 2/2/2025.

Webinar: Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Career Readiness through AP Courses (sponsored by PASCD)

In today's rapidly evolving job market, it's crucial for high schools to equip students with the skills and knowledge that align with their future career paths. Join us for an insightful webinar designed specifically for curriculum directors and supervisors, where we will explore the integration of Advanced Placement (AP) courses to create a more relevant and career-focused high school experience.

During this session, you will learn:

• How to select AP courses that align with key career skills and industry demands.

• Strategies for implementing these courses to maximize student engagement and success.

• How to leverage SAT Suite data to identify students who would benefit most from these AP courses.

• Best practices for recruiting new groups of students into these courses.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your school's curriculum and better prepare your students for their future careers.

This event will take place on Monday, January 27, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00AM, and will be held virtually.  Register at https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/zbx5x7 by 1/25/2025.

On-Demand Webinar Now Available: Enhance College Success and Provide Credit Opportunity with AP® Precalculus

Discover how the new AP® Precalculus course can prepare students for college math and expand AP opportunities. Featuring panel discussion with teachers and administrators from New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Recording available at https://collegeboard.zoom.us/rec/share/40aqqiLoKOtPMCGdn8yXhbUYSvXDpWFVbs0hdOHkWToF81nPSBy8cCUNzDMJq5Xk.pDiJFgDELHljDO6o?pwd=sg0NLh16cZWfsUS4UO2v_KqlEr8q8GHr

Advanced Placement Professional Development Incentive – Extended!

I’m excited to share that the Pennsylvania Department of Education and College Board are partnering to expand access to Advanced Placement courses throughout the Commonwealth in the 2025-26 school year. Our shared goal is to increase the number of students who can take at least one AP class before graduating high school.

As part of this initiative, we are offering free professional development in summer 2025 for AP Precalculus, AP Computer Science Principles, AP African American Studies, and AP Seminar. Interest forms for our collaboration with PDE, PATTAN, and PAIU are now available.

For AP Computer Science Principles, please fill out this form by the end of January: https://secure.smore.com/n/g3n28.  If you have questions, please reach out to Bryan Hower at bhower@pattan.net.

For AP Precalculus, AP African American Studies, and AP Seminar, please fill out this form by the end of January: https://forms.office.com/r/CcFxC6PTkA.  If you have questions, please reach out to Mike Webb at mwebb@mciu.org or Eliza Vagni at evagni@iu19.org. 

Rebecca Kravitz

Director

State & District Partnerships

College Board

rkravitz@collegeboard.org

Presentation:

Keely Baronak, EdD, Professor and Chair, Department of Education and Liberal Studies at Carlow University

tlmcmillan@carlow.edu 

K-12GP Office Hours Every third Thursday, beginning December 19, join PDE on TEAMS from 2:30–3:30. Bring your questions! 

Accommodations for State Testing

Career Readiness:

College Success Forum

Join us for an inspiring one-day conference bringing together a dynamic consortium of secondary and post-secondary educators, community organizations, and government leaders. This collaborative event is designed to foster networking, share innovative ideas, and create meaningful opportunities for students to achieve college success. 

Participants will engage in interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions to explore strategies for building stronger partnerships, supporting student aspirations, and overcoming barriers to post-secondary achievement. 

With a focus on equity, access, and success, the conference aims to empower attendees with practical tools and inspiring ideas to enhance college readiness and success for all students.

Where:

Robert Morris University

When:

Tuesday, February 4, 2025 

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Contact Information:

amy.mcshane@aiu3.net or 412-394-4193

February 25, 2025

February 25, 2025 Attendance (please complete to help us with state reporting)

 February PDE School Counselor Updates 

Presentation: 

Rebecca Kravitz, Director of State & District Partnerships for College Board 

College Board Presentation--Big Future 

rkravitz@collegeboard.org 

Career Readiness Updates: 

Write Your Future Contest--WQED is holding a “Write Your Future” writing contest for students in grades K-3.  Students are asked to submit original stories and illustrations to encourage literacy, reading, and career exploration through the theme of writing about their futures.

Details and resources about the contest can be found at the link below, along with a registration form. Entries are due by March 31, 2025.

Writers Contest - WQED 

If you have any questions, please contact Denice Pazuchanics at dpazuchanics@wqed.org.

Pittsburgh Technology Council Presents--STEM Summit: Forge the Future 

This event will take you straight into the heart of the advanced manufacturing industry! Experience the cutting-edge technology and innovation shaping tomorrow’s workforce in the Pittsburgh Region.

WHEN: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

TIME: 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM

WHERE: Kickoff and Hands-On Experiences: Digital Foundry at Penn State, New Kensington 855 5th Ave, New Kensington, PA 15068 Followed by Behind-the-Scenes Industry Tours

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Students in grades 8–12 with a curiosity for innovation! This is your opportunity to explore the tools, technologies, and skills that are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry.

COST: 

• Students (Grades 8–12): $25

• Adult Chaperones (with student groups): Free

• Individual Adult Attendees: $25

Here’s what students will experience:

Exclusive Industry Access: Go behind the scenes with guided tours of advanced manufacturing facilities, where the future is being forged.

Inspiring Keynote: Hear from an industry leader about the incredible possibilities within advanced manufacturing.

Interactive Exhibits: Explore how the Digital Foundry at Penn State New Kensington is pushing boundaries and creating pathways to careers that shape the future.

This immersive experience will connect your unique talents, interests, and passions to career opportunities in advanced manufacturing. Learn how the combination of robotics, automation, and innovation is transforming industries, and how you can be part of it.

Unlock the secrets of advanced manufacturing and be inspired to build the future! Register today to secure your spot and get ready for an unforgettable experience. 

To register: 2025 STEM Summit: Forge the Future 

Experience the forefront of innovation in Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh Technology Council's 2025 STEM Summit! This event highlights the wide range of dynamic and evolving STEM careers shaping the future workforce in the Pittsburgh region.

WHEN: Friday, April 4, 2025 From 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

WHERE: Kick off and Experiences: CCAC Center for Education, Innovation, and Training |808 Ridge Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (and then multiple tour stops)

Cost:
• Students Grades 8-12: $25
• Adult chaperones (must register with student group): Free
• Adult Attendees: $25

We welcome students in grades 8–12 to connect with leaders from the innovation sector. Participants will have the opportunity to explore hands-on learning experiences at CCAC and then embark on industry tours to delve deeper into the STEM sector. The STEM Summit will also include a keynote address and exhibit booths presented by various organizations.

The interactive experience of the STEM Summit will highlight how an individual’s strengths, interests, and passions can lead to multiple pathways to jobs in the tech industry! More information provided upon registration.

Chaperone Policy: we require one teacher or adult for every 10 students. 

To register: 2025 STEM Summit: Careers in Action

EQT Energize Your Education Scholarship: The EQT Foundation will award up to 15 $10,000 scholarships to graduating high school students looking to pursue a degree in a field utilized by the oil and gas industry, such as computer science or information technology; civil, chemical or petroleum engineering; energy or land management; environmental science; geology; safety science; or welding. Scholarship funds can be used at two or four-year educational institutions. 

Eligible students must be a current high school senior with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and live in one of the following counties where EQT Corporation has business operations:

In Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Lycoming, Tioga, Washington, and Westmoreland.

Students will be evaluated based on academic history, involvement in extracurricular activities, work experience, and essay response. 

Application deadline: March 31, 2025

For More Information on the Scholarship--Application Link

EQT Energize Your Education Scholarship Flyer 

Girls in Gaming Summit:  Tuesday, May 6 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

This summit is FREE and suggested for middle and high school educators and their students. 

Held through TransformED (an initiative of the Allegheny Intermediate Unit) and Carnegie Mellon University, the Girls in Gaming Summit is designed to ignite and foster interest in video games, interactive entertainment, themed amusement, and other related professional pursuits.

Educators and their students will get the opportunity to hear from accomplished women as they share their journeys and insights. The summit’s speakers, mostly gamers themselves, play important roles in the gaming industry, and reflect the diversity of career options that exist in this field. 

Don’t miss this chance to open new doors for your students and inspire the next generation of gaming innovators.

Background | Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center houses a graduate program designed to help students prepare for careers in interactive entertainment as it is applied across different fields. Through a curriculum that emphasizes leadership, communication, and innovation, the ETC seeks to turn talented students from myriad professional and academic backgrounds into creative professionals.

Who Should Attend | Middle and high school educators interested in encouraging girls to participate in gaming and to explore the diverse range of careers that exist in the industry.

*Educators should bring a group of students to attend this innovative summit. Lunch will be provided.

*Special Location | Entertainment Technology Center, 700 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Girls in Gaming Summit Registration 

IU1 Career Readiness Activities--Limited spots remain for May! Contact Elizabeth Meerdo at Elizabeth.Meerdo@iu1.org. 

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Breakout Session--10 minutes

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. 

April 1, 2025

April 1 Attendance Form (please complete to help us with state reporting--thank you!)

Presentation

CCBC Washington County College Center--Anitre Bell and Kara Eltschlager

Contact Information: Anitre.Bell@ccbc.edu and Kara.Eltschlager@ccbc.edu

K-12 Guidance Plan

K-12 Guidance Plan (339)

• Phase 1 – March 31, 2024

• Phase 2 – March 31, 2025

• Phase 3 – March 31, 2026

Phase 3 Districts: Your plans are already open in FRCPP.

Albert Gallatin Area SD

Bentworth SD

Burgettstown Area SD

Canon-McMillan SD

Frazier SD

Intermediate Unit 1

Laurel Highlands SD

McGuffey SD

Ringgold SD

Uniontown Area SD

Online Testing

Assessment Updates

• Fall Assessment 2024 Update from PDE 

• Science Online Assessment Updates from PDE 

• Online Tools Communication.docx

• Firefly Quick Start Guide.pdf

• Introducing Pennsylvania’s New Firefly Assessments.pdf

• Pennsylvania Firefly and CDT - How are they different.pdf

Fusion Updates

Fusion Credit Recovery 

PDESAS Toolkits

New Toolkits

• Information and Media Literacy Toolkit

• Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Toolkit *(Updated)

• September 11th Toolkit 

• Personal Finance Toolkit (In revision) - PDE will be adding a few videos in the future. 

Newly Released

On September 12, 2024, the State Board of Education approved final-form amendments to 22 Pa. Code Chapter 4.   Collectively, the five documents listed below comprise the final-form rulemaking that was approved by the Board. 

• Annex A (22 Pa. Code Chapter 4) (PDF) 

• Academic Standards for Personal Finance (PDF) 

• Academic Standards for Career Education and Work (PDF) 

• Academic Standards for Economics (PDF) 

• Academic Standards for Family and Consumer Sciences (PDF) 

Career Readiness Opportunities:

Range Resources Scholarship--Select Washington County School Districts (see below for school list)--DUE APRIL 4th

Range Resources, in partnership with IU1, is offering a $2,000 scholarship opportunity to high school seniors in Allegheny, Beaver, and Washington Counties (please see the list of applicable schools below). 

These seniors exemplify the spirit of learning through their academics, leadership skills, career goals, volunteerism or civic-mindedness, and extra-curricular activities.  Scholarships will be awarded to 2 students from each of the applicable districts. Scholarships will be awarded to the following applicants: 

• 1 scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a trade/technical degree (two or four year degree)

• 1 scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a college/university degree (four year degree)

Applicants must submit at least one reference from a non-relative, example: teacher, coach, co-worker, etc. this should include the reference's name, title, and contact information and a brief description on why you should receive this scholarship.

All applications must be received by April 4, 2025.  No late applications will be accepted.

Applicable schools: - Avella - Bentworth - Burgettstown - Canon-McMillan - Chartiers-Houston -
Fort Cherry - Hopewell (Beaver County) - McGuffey - Ringgold - South Side Area (Beaver County) - Trinity - Washington - West Allegheny (Allegheny County) - Western Area Career and Tech

Range Resources Scholarship Application 

WQED Film & Media College Fair

On April 10th from 5-8 PM, WQED will be hosting its 6th annual Film & Media College Fair! The fair will be held at Penn Hills High School (309 Collins Drive, Penn Hills, PA 15235) as well as virtually via Zoom. Top film and media schools locally and around the country will be joining to share information about their programs. 

The event will culminate in a live and virtually broadcast peer-led Q&A designed to allow high school students and families to ask candid questions and engage with current college students, including WQED Creator Academy (formerly known as WQED Film Academy) alumni. 

This is a great event for high schoolers to meet schools and universities with prestige in film, media, content creation, and beyond. Students can register for the College Fair here!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email Milton Cohen (mcohen@wqed.org) or Lu Cooper (lcooper@wqed.org) for more details. For more information on the event and to view a list of the joining schools, please visit their website. 

WQED Film and Media Career Fair Flyer 

picoCTF Outreach--Cybersecurity Activities from Carnegie Mellon University

picoCTF Outreach Flyer--Carnegie Mellon University 

picoCTF Outreach offers free, engaging, and accessible cybersecurity education to middle and high school students through workshops led by Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) student ambassadors. Their goal is to empower students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the digital world securely and explore pathways in cybersecurity and technology fields.

Through hands-on, challenge-based learning, students will:

• Gain real-world cybersecurity skills using interactive problem-solving challenges

• Learn from CMU student ambassadors, who bring expertise and mentorship

• Explore academic and career opportunities in cybersecurity

• Develop critical thinking and technical skills that apply to any STEM discipline

With in-person and virtual workshop options tailored to learners needs, picoCTF makes cybersecurity education available to all students—no prior experience required!

Workshop Content Adaptable to Meet Learners Where They Are--Recommended for Grades 6-12, University, Educators, and Nontraditional Learners

Workshop topics that are available include:

• Overview of cybersecurity (e.g., fundamentals of cybersecurity, ethical hacking, network security, reverse engineering, pwn, etc.)

• Deep dive into CTF categories and competitions

• Emphasis on interactive, challenge-driven modules via picoCTF’s extensive catalog

• Insight into education and career pathways

• Adaptable curriculum that grows with students’ proficiency

• Train-the-Trainer workshops for educators

For more information, please contact: educator@picoctf.org or Taylor McCampbell at tmccampb@andrew.cmu.edu 

The House That She Built 

The House that She Built is a book inspired by the team of real women who came together from around the country to build a one-of-a-kind home.

Driven by the fact that less than 3% of the onsite workforce in housing is women, the goal was to highlight and utilize skilled tradeswomen and women-owned companies for all stages of the project. As momentum and national interest grew, women from all over the country traveled to Utah to contribute.

The She Built Foundation provides resources and lessons to inspire young women to see the possibility of careers in traditionally male dominated fields. Check out their page here.

Book Career Readiness Activities for the 2025-2026 School Year!  

Our two most popular activities from the 2024-2025 school year were the BotsIQ MFGexplore program and the Transfr virtual reality career exploration simulations. We are in the process of looking to add new programming to join our existing programs for next school year!

Information on BotsIQ MFGexplore and Transfr virtual reality can be found below:

BotsIQ MFGexplore is dedicated to exposing K-12 students to in-demand careers in manufacturing. MFGexplore lessons are suitable for all subjects. Lessons are exciting, hands-on, and do not require any background knowledge of manufacturing. 

Each unit is coupled with a lesson which spotlights a fictional character and their career journey. The lesson content focuses on skills and competencies needed in a manufacturing career which include collaboration, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. 

All BotsIQ programming, including MFGexplore, is available to all educators across our IU1 districts free of charge. 

REQUEST BOTSIQ MFGEXPLORE LESSON HERE 

Manufacturing Careers and Activities:

Industrial Designer: Students will take on the role of an Industrial Engineer and create a catapult using 3D pens.  They must consider flaws within their design and continue to upgrade the catapult in order to efficiently launch a small object onto a bullseye.  

CNC Programmer: Students will learn how a CNC Machine is programmed and how to write G-code for a CNC router.  Using their new knowledge, the kids will make a personalized keychain using G-code.  

Industrial Engineer: Students will create an autonomous delivery system using assembled bristle bots.  

Manufacturing Engineer: Students will step into the world of a manufacturing engineer and apply an assembly line process to increase production of a simple flashlight.  

Industrial Machinery Mechanic: Students will build, test and debug an out-of-order machine on the shop floor using Lego Spike Prime kits.  

Robotics Technician: Students will build, install and program a robotic system for a manufacturing plant using Lego Spike Prime kits.

Electrical and Electronic Assembler: Students will assemble an electrical circuit using conductive thread or conductive tape.  

Inspector: Students will learn how to measure precisely using calipers and micrometers by sorting materials correctly.

Sales Representative: Students will prototype a solution to a problem and pitch their idea to a group of “sharks.”  

BioEngineer: Students will research, design and prototype a prosthetic for an animal using recyclable materials.  

Industrial Production Manager: Students will create a zipline carrier to transport products from one end of the manufacturing plant to the other.

Virtual Reality Career Exploration for Grades 6-12: List of Current VR Career Exploration Simulations 

Students have the opportunity to explore a variety of career clusters using Transfr virtual reality headsets. Proper electronic/technology etiquette is expected of all students using the headsets.  Improper usage will result in the student being removed from using the VR headsets. 

This activity is best run in small groups of 8 students. 45 minutes to an hour is ideal to explore the career modules fully--less than 35 minutes is not recommended and also depends on class size. After the session, students will complete a reflection activity about their experience. 

Wi-Fi is needed to use the VR headsets as well as relialbe cell service. IU1 will bring a Verizon Wi-Fi hotspot to connect the headsets but access to the school Wi-Fi is strongly advised to serve as a back-up.   A location with ample space for student movement is needed.

Thank you for inviting us into your schools this year! We visited 19 school districts across five counties! To schedule an activity for next school year, please reach out to me at elizabeth.meerdo@iu1.org.