2010 Fayette Enrichment Summer Program Is a Hit

In mid-June the Private Industry Council kicked off the start of the Fayette Enrichment Summer Programming. This past spring PIC was awarded a grant through the PA Department of Education to address the needs of at-risk youth in grades 6-12 in the Fayette County region by creating 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Participating schools include Brownsville High School and Redstone Middle School, Connellsville Jr. High Schools, Uniontown Area Jr. High Schools, and Albert Gallatin South Middle School.

The summer component of the program launched with an array of collaborations including a "Kids In College" program offered by the Penn State Fayette Campus. During the first two weeks of the program middle school students participated in Penn State courses that taught them photography, fashion design, environmental awareness, and other exciting topics. 4H has also played an integral part in providing fun and educational physical fitness activities for the students.

This past week students at all of the schools worked diligently on chalk murals, and are now in the process of building their robots for their "Battle Bots" competition. Next week the program will conclude with a pasta bridge competition, and the continuation of TAME Inc character building. As the summer component draws to an end, PIC is gearing up for the fall portion of the Fayette Enrichment program, with plans to collaborate with the Carnegie Science Center.

Through the hard work and dedication of program staff, PIC has been successful in forming rewarding experiences for elementary youth in Fayette County since 2006 and is pleased to be expanding the program to older children.

Albert Gallatin South Middle School

Connellsville Jr. High Schools

Uniontown Area Jr. High Schools