SV Senior Graduates from
BASF Science Academy
The Inside Scoop
SV Senior Nolan Allen recently attended Point Park University’s
Multimedia Workshop. Allen had the chance to meet with
industry professionals and get hands-on with equipment while
creating stories.
High school students learned the elements of storytelling,
met with industry professionals and gained real-life journalistic
experience at the School of Communication’s annual Summer
Multimedia Workshop, held June 20 through 24 on Point Park
University’s Downtown Pittsburgh campus.
“We worked on skills in journalistic writing, photography,
video production and web design,” says Robin Cecala, Ph.D.,
assistant professor of broadcast production. “The students were
enthusiastic and produced a great variety of stories for their
website Spectrum 2016.”
During the week, the group attended interactive sessions led
by Andrew Conte, director of Point Park’s new Center for Media
Innovation, and professors Christopher Rolinson, Heather Starr
Fiedler, David Grande, Robin Cecala and Bill Moushey.
“If you want to do journalism as a career, start doing it now,”
Moushey advises students. “Write for your high school newspaper,
create a blog, join the school’s TV station, etc.”
Following the sessions, students learned and practiced on
professional equipment in the campus television and radio studios.
Seneca Valley 2016-17 Senior Danielle Matz was one of 20
students from across the US, Mexico, Canada, Central America
and the Caribbean who recently participated in the 2016 BASF
Science Academy.
The two week summer science program selected rising seniors
who demonstrated a record of academic excellence with at
least one year of high school chemistry and a strong interest in
pursuing a degree in science. The program, developed by BASF
Corporation, was held July 12 through 22 at Fairleigh Dickinson
University (FDU) in Madison, New Jersey.
During this time, Matz and other students were immersed in
university life, translating advanced level chemistry into business
applications in a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience. Students
used the university’s classrooms, chemistry labs, dorms and
received college-level instruction throughout the two weeks.
BASF covered the full cost of the program, including student
tuition and travel while working with the FDU staff to develop the
challenging Science Academy curriculum.
The BASF Science Academy aspired to develop the technology
based workforce of the future by exposing students to advanced
science, business applications and potential careers in chemistry.
In partnership with Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), BASF
hosts a two-week summer residential program for 20 outstanding
high school students between their junior and senior year.
Students graduate from the program with two transferable college
science credits from FDU and life experience that will help to
prepare for their future in higher education.
Kelly Weston, Seneca Valley Senior High School AP Chemistry
Teacher nominated Matz for consideration. n
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“I love the media world, but learning about journalism and
multimedia was new to me. My favorite part of the week was
visiting Stage AE for our behind-the-scenes tour. I’m in a band so I
couldn’t help but fantasize about me being on that stage one day as
a performer,” says Allen.
Additionally, students had the opportunity to get a behind-thescenes look at the new Center for Media Innovation, an integrated
4,000-square-foot New York City-style media facility, as well as go
on off-campus tours at Stage AE and KDKA-TV.
Seneca Valley
visit area corporations and businesses to see firsthand the work
that engineers do and the important role that they play in local,
regional, national and global communities.
Spear enjoyed the entire camp, but the highlight for her
was the flight lesson, as part of an introduction to the school
of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and Aviation
Programs. After a session in the flight simulator at the OSU Don
Scott Airport, she took to the skies in the University’s 2-seat
Cessna A150L Aerobat airplane. Her instructor performed the
takeoff and landing, but once in the air, Spear was able to have full
control of the plane for approximately 20 minutes. According to
Spear, “this was one of the most exciting things I have ever done.
To be that high in the air, have the controls and to actually be the
person flying an airplane was amazing.”
A total of 30 future engineers were admitted to this program
based on academic achievements, a letter of recommendation
from a science teacher and an essay on their interests in
engineering as a career. According to Spear, the experience helped
to confirm her interest in Engineering as a college major and
career path.