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Middle school girls recognized at New Kensington's COMETS program

Courses on Math, Engineering, Technology and Science program provides mentoring, hands-on workshops

Penn State New Kensington's COMETS Class of 2015 during Recognition Night June 20 in the campus Conference Center. Credit: Penn State New Kensington / Penn StateCreative Commons

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- The concluding event of Penn State New Kensington’s STEM initiative, Courses on Math, Engineering, Technology and Science, also known as COMETS, honored participants in the 2014-15 program June 15 with Recognition Night at the campus.

COMETS targets seventh- and eighth-grade girls who have an interest in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Volunteer mentors, drawn from Penn State alumna and friends in STEM-related professions, shared their experiences on career opportunities in their fields. In addition to mentoring and guest speakers, the eight-month program featured demonstrations, projects and a monthly Saturday Brunch series.

“The program combined an online mentoring program with hands-on presentations in a wide range of STEM fields,” said Debra Novak, coordinator of STEM programs at the campus. “The mentors provide new perspectives on their careers as well as perspectives on other STEM careers for the girls.”

The COMETS initiative began in November at the first morning brunch when students were introduced to their mentors. It continued in March with presentations by Engineering Ambassadors, a Penn State University Park student organization that motivates grade-school students to challenge conventional ideas about science and engineering.

“It was a great opportunity for the girls to interact with college students who are currently enrolled in engineering majors,” said Novak, who earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Pittsburgh. “The students asked questions about college classes, majors and possible industries that involve engineering.”

Fifty-three students from seven public school districts: Burrell, Franklin Regional, Highlands, Kiski Area, New Kensington/Arnold, Penn Hills and Plum, and a private school, Mary Queen of Apostles in New Kensington, participated in the program. Mentors were assigned to students, and they held weekly online sessions of 20-30 minutes with their mentees.

The 2015-16 COMETS program begins in the fall.

For more information, contact Novak at 724-334-6119 or dsn2@psu.edu.

For more about COMETS, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/ce/45109.htm.

Last Updated June 24, 2015

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