Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S-STEM)

Third Cohort Enrolled

October 2023

A group photo of the third cohort of the “Step into Stem Scholars” in the October 2023 quarter.

PTC enrolled the third cohort of the “Step into Stem Scholars” in the October 2023 quarter. Eight students from two disciplines were enrolled in a customized STEPS 1 course. These students were selected from Computer Information Systems, and Robotics Automation. 

The course deviated from the traditional Freshman studies courses. We focused on teamwork, time management, and cross-disciplinary studies. Each week the students watched a video, had a short discussion, and completed assignments outside of class. Mr. Cottrell and Mr. Shaw used the class to get to know the cohort as individuals.

S-STEM Scholars Symposium

September 2023 

Standing from left to right: Mr. Cottrell, Tricia Donahue, Joe Ball, and Christian Boyle. The AAAS building is in the background.

Our grant sponsors, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) hosted the first-ever S-STEM Scholars Symposium in Washington DC.

Three of Pittsburgh Technical College’s students were invited to attend. Joseph Ball, Christian Boyle, and Tricia Donahue are joining 1000 other S-STEM Scholars. The students will spend 3 days learning and exploring our nation’s capital. The students had several learning opportunities including over twenty different workshops, several plenaries to attend, and many professional development opportunities.

Tours to different DC landmarks were available. The AAAS covered all expenses including travel, lodging in a 5-star hotel, and meals.

Mr. Cottrell speaking during the “Unmasking Success: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome” workshop.

Our PI, Mr. Lee Cottrell, honor and privilege to be a mentor at the first-ever AAAS S-STEM Scholars meeting. Over 1000 S-STEM students converged on Washington DC from Sept 14 through Sept 16. He mentored students and peers from institutions around the country.

Mr. Cottrell, along with Dr. Emilie Hein from Skyline College and Dr. Brandon Mitchell from West Chester University of PA, ran a successful workshop titled Unmasking Success: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome. Around 70 students participated, and we developed several great strategies to overcome Imposter Syndrome (Phenomenon).

Pittsburgh Technology Council’s 2023 SSTEM Summit

April 2023 

In April, the SSTEM Scholars were invited to represent PTC at the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s 2023 SSTEM Summit. This event drew high school and early college students together to explore STEM employment opportunities in Pittsburgh.

The students started the day doing workshops and ended the day by touring Alpha Lab Health. Scholars Noah Lucot, Christian Boyle, Joe Ball, Tricia Donahue, Leo Binotto, and Justin Hazenstab took advantage of the trip and had a great time.

Steel City Improv visits PTC 

February 2023

The 2022 cohort participated in an improv exercise. Justin Zell, from Steel City Improv Theater came to campus. Mr. Zell included the scholars and the instructor in the activities. We learned more details about each other, and we learned to trust each other a little more.

Justin spent two hours teaching the students improv techniques like Yes…And,  Silent collaboration, and Remember the time. In addition to being a blast, these techniques teach listening and collaboration skills to the participants.

“I absolutely loved it and would like to participate in it again.” – Anonymous

Second SSTEM cohort starts

October 2022 

PTC enrolled the second cohort of the Step into Stem Scholars in the October 2022 quarter. Nine students from four disciplines were enrolled in a customized STEPS 1 course. These students were selected from Computer Information Systems, Electronics Technology, Information Technology, and Robotics Automation. Robotics automation is a new program to both PTC and the SSTEM Grant.

The course deviated from the traditional Freshman studies courses. We focused on teamwork, time management, and cross-disciplinary studies. Each week the students watched a video, had a short discussion, and completed assignments outside of class. Dr. McNeill and Mr. Cottrell used the class to get to know the cohort as individuals.  

SSTEM Scholars Present their projects

September 2022 

The 2021 cohort got the opportunity to present their projects to the SSTEM team. In the audience was Bob Bailey of Outcomes Consulting Services, Dr. McNeill, Mr. Lee Cottrell, Julie Throckmorton, and Nancy Feather, all of whom work at PTC. The students were to describe and demonstrate their project to a non-technical audience.

Both groups presented. Mr. Bailey complemented them saying the presentation was as organized as any professional business presentation he has seen. Presenting to an audience is a challenging task. The 2021 SSTEM scholars rose to the occasion, as usual, and demonstrated excellence. The future is bright for these students.

SSTEM Scholars Visit Mooncrest

August 2022

In August, many members of the 2021 STEM group participated in a community service project at Mooncrest Neighborhood Program in Moon Township. They spent the afternoon entertaining and educating middle school and junior high youths about the excitement of STEM focused careers. The strategy was to try to get these children to consider and think about a possible future in STEM.

In this project our STEM scholars introduced the concepts of magnets, magnetism, and electromagnets, focusing on their importance in most aspects of modern technology. With some wire, a battery and a small magnet our STEM scholars helped every one of the youths to create and construct from scratch, a small, working, spinning electric motor; demonstrating how magnetism and electromagnets can create motion from electricity. The kids loved it! We have some future STEM engineers coming from Mooncrest!

S-STEM cohort starts an ambitious project

April 2022 

The S-STEM scholars enrolled in a custom STEPS 2 course. The goal of the class was to put the students together in a cross-disciplinary environment. Our employers desire students that can work across disciplines. This course gave our S-STEM scholars the experience and confidence to succeed. 

The students were given a project to use an Arduino board to gather and record temperatures in a database. The project had elements from all three majors represented in the cohort. There were electronic, IT, and programming elements. The project required the three disciplines to work together, and to teach each other. Students from each of the three disciplines took control of their part of the project. The solved their piece of the puzzle, and then taught the others in the group how to complete the task.  

Alec Swiger talks with the S-STEM scholars

February 2022 

Alec Swiger, a PTC ITNA alumni took the time to speak with the S-STEM scholars. Mr. Swiger works for GE Healthcare. He discussed several topics. He encouraged the students to push themselves. When in doubt about a task, Alec suggested that the students “say yes to the task, then learn how to do it.” He reinforced the notion that not all learning takes place in a classroom. You as a learner usually must research the question until you can internalize the question and make it your own.

Alec gave two good pieces of advice for success. First, he told the students to self-motivate. The only person who can truly motivate you is yourself. Secondly, he told the students to ask for help when needed. None of us know everything, and it is a sign of strength to ask for help. 

STEM Poker Hunt acquainted students with PTC faculty, technology, and facilities

December 2021

This poker-themed activity asked our STEM scholars to do the legwork to see who could win the best hand. Designed to connect students with STEM faculty and discover on-campus technology, students were asked to visit five locations on campus, including PTC’s Energy Tech Building, CAD Manufacturing Lab, library, Electronic Communications Lab, and The Mochnick Cyber Security Center.

Dr. McNeill and Mr. Cottrell created the activity so that students could explore and explain the foundation, operation, importance, and function of STEM technology and resources at PTC. The activity also gave students an opportunity to introduce themselves to faculty and develop their communication skills with faculty and their peers.

At each location, students drew a card then submitted their five cards with their completed assignment. Prizes were given for the best hand and second-best hand.

First S-STEM Cohort enrolled in PTC 

October 2021

PTC sat the first of the Step into Stem Scholars in the October 2021 quarter. Eight students enrolled in a customized STEPS 1 course. The eight students were selected based on Accuplacer scores, High School grades, and economic need. We were excited to help this cohort on their college journey.  

The course deviated from the traditional Freshman studies courses. We focused on teamwork, time management, and cross-disciplinary studies. Each week the students watched a video, had a short discussion, and completed assignments outside of class. Dr. McNeill and Mr. Cottrell used the class to get to know the cohort as individuals.