PHS Digital Academy Students, District 15 Reps Attend STEM Presentation

From Pomperaug Regional School District 15:

SOUTHBURY/MIDDLEBURY, CT - Students from the Digital Academy at Pomperaug High School and representatives from Regional School District 15 attended the Building New Pathways for Student Success in STEM, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, and Entrepreneurship presentation at the IBM campus in Southbury on September 19, 2016.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently awarded two grants to the Skills 21 team at EdAdvance, the Regional Educational Service Center in western CT (formerly known as Education Connection). A combined $2.1 million in grant funding over 3 years will help address critical secondary education and workforce development needs in STEM and in Advanced Manufacturing Technologies. Congresswoman Elizabeth H. Esty was the keynote speaker at the event.

The Digital Academy at Pomperaug High School is an example of the type of 21st century learning that is supported by the grants awarded to EdAdvance by the NSF. EdAdvance supports projects at the Digital Academy at Pomperaug High School, including Senior Capstone projects and Expo Fest, where students have the opportunity to showcase their innovative, cross-curricular products, services, community actions, digital media, and film programs.

Representing the Digital Academy at Pomperaug High School were students Andrew Baggett, Ritika Bajaj, Mason Fitzpatrick, Drew Englander, and Kevin Knowles, Region 15 Board of Education Chair Patricia S. Perry, Superintendent of Region 15 Schools Regina Lemerich Botsford, and Digital Academy Coordinator and Pomperaug High School teacher Brian Jehning.

“The projects that Pomperaug students complete for presentation at the Student Innovation Expo each year rival ideas you would see on a show like Shark Tank. They include thorough work with scientific principles, scientific investigations, and collaboration with scientific mentors working in industry. The student work amazes me year in and year out, and I consider these experiences with students to be the most humbling and rewarding of my educational career. It’s wonderful to watch them grow each year, and finally flourish with an idea they are passionate about when they complete their individual Capstone projects senior year. Their growth over four years is astounding and immeasurable, and they are ready to thrive after Pomperaug,” said Jehning.

“Our Digital Academy at Pomperaug High School is an exemplar of 21st century teaching and learning. Region 15 has committed itself to critical thinking, innovation, communication, collaboration, global citizenship and character, making our work through the Digital Academy and beyond a priority. We look forward to continuing our partnership with EdAdvance, and I congratulate our students who represented so well their past work and their interests and aspirations for their upcoming Capstone Projects,” said Botsford.

Photo via Pomperaug Regional School District 15: Pomperaug High School’s Digital Academy was recognized as an exemplar of 21st century teaching and learning. Pictured are Drew Englander, Andrew Baggett, Congresswoman Elizabeth H. Esty, Pomperaug High School Teacher Brian Jehning, Ritika Bajaj, Kevin Knowles and Mason Fitzpatrick.