WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Teachers are putting the final touches on some race cars in Williamsport. The educators spent the week building the cars as part of a STEM externship at the Pennsylvania College of Technology to find new ways to approach science and technology education.
"They got to work all over the campus, actually, with faculty, learning cool activities they can take home with their students. They also spent time in our makers' space, where they got to again do some more student-centered projects that they get to do with their kids. And they got a goodie bag full of things to actually go use with their kids," said Kathy Chesmel, Penn College's assistant dean of engineering.
Seven teachers from our area applied to get a spot in the externship. Deana Patson is a high school librarian in the Wyalusing Area School District. She wanted to learn more about Penn College's engineering and technology programs.
"Would give me a better idea when students come to me and say, you know, 'I'm not sure what I want to do; I like this.' Or I have students in my class where I can see their skills and abilities and give them some recommendations," Patson said.
During the externship, teachers put together 3-D printers and used them to build their race cars. They're also able to bring them home and put them in their classrooms for their students to use.
"Changing different parameters, how long the car is, how wide the car is, and then they're going to race them today to see what effects those variables have on the final car, and it's a fun little exercise that they get to do to have something printed by the end of the week," said Prof. Adam Barilla.
The externship was made possible thanks to a PAsmart grant. Penn College hopes to continue the program next year.