1. SciTech’s Executive
Experience: Hands-on learning
in an Urban STEM environment
Edwina Kinchington,
ekinchington1@pghboe.net
Mike Miller, mmiller3@pghboe.net
Student presenters:
Raina Oravec
Stephen O’Brion
Huldah Kena

2. SCITECH
• Science magnet school – 2009 start
• Urban district – Pittsburgh public schools
• Collaborative effort – CMU/Pitt/PPS/Local
partners/US Steel/DSF/Buhl

3. STEM schools are needed in the
21st century

4. Demographics of SciTech Student
Body 2014-2015
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
African-­‐American
White
Female
Male
Free/Reduced
lunch
Percent

5. What makes SciTech unique?
Form & Function
(Engineering)
Focuses on engineering technology, design, and
modern manufacturing.
Body & Behavior
(Life Science)
Focuses on interactions in life with biomedical and
biotechnology focus
Computers &
Connections
(Computer Science)
Focuses on computation and the social and
scientific study of networks.
Environment &
Energy
(Environmental Science)
Focuses on the environment and the social and
scientific study of energy.
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE

6. ACADEMIC
• Research
• Writing
• Presentation
• Specific Content
• Problem Solving
PROFESSIONAL
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Commitment
• Responsibility
• Time Management
6
Executive Experience
Collaborative, Field-Based Project with a Partner in
Academia or Industry

7. Executive Experience
Prior to Placement
• Acquiring Mentors
• Pittsburgh Promise – Afiya Bey
• Concentration Teacher Contacts
• Student-Secured Projects
UNIVERSITY
CMU
PITT
Carlow
CCAC
INDUSTRY
RJLee
Shell Games
Alcosan
US Steel Workers
NON-PROFIT
GTech
Pittsburgh Parks
Conservancy
CORE
Carnegie Museum
Pittsburgh Passion

8. Executive Experience
Prior to Placement
Student Placement
• Requirements
• 2.5 GPA
• > 90% attendance
• < 5 discipline referrals
Project
Selection by
student
Resume
Cover Letter
Character Reference
Interview and
Selection

9. Executive Experience
Managing students during placement
Weekly meetings
with teachers
Weekly communication
with mentors and students
Teacher and Mentor
feedback

10. Executive Experience
Deliverables and Outcomes
• Deliverables/Assessments
• Research Paper
• Poster
• Presentation
• Long term Outcomes
• Summer internships & University contacts
• Publication in Scientific Journals (Journal of
Experimental Secondary Science, JESS)

11. What makes a project successful?

12. Thanks to Partners and Mentors
• Shawn McNeil, Principal
• Heidi Zellie, Teacher
• Afiya Bey, Promise
Coordinator
• Gene Walker and Saleem
Ghubril, Pittsburgh Promise
• Joan Lakoski, UPitt
School of Health
Sciences
Mike Miller mmiller3@pghboe.net
Edwina Kinchington ekinchington1@pghboe.net