INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
The Providence Heights Alpha School
Leads to a Lifelong Love of Science
F
rom their early beginnings in Pre-Kindergarten to
their last months in Eighth Grade, the students of the
Providence Heights Alpha School are invited to learn
about Science by engaging in a curriculum which seeks
to inspire curiosity, develop investigation and hone the skills
necessary to succeed in any High School.
In Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, children engage in
classroom lessons which capture the imagination and develop
observation. The school expands upon this foundation in first
grade with students going to the elementary science lab as part
of the regular curriculum.
These young learners create scientific notebooks and learn
about the scientific method. They expand their vocabulary and
build a strong foundation of skills. They perform experiments
with the use of ASSET kits and their sense of inquiry and
fascination is channeled.
The skills developed in the elementary science lab prepare
them to advance forward into the next science laboratory
in grades 5-8. Here they continue their journey of study and
expand into environmental science, life science, chemistry
and physics. They engage in scientific debate, they gather and
interpret data, they dissect a variety of organisms, they study
cells and discuss genetics and are given the opportunity to
attend the PRSEF and PJAS competitions.
The goal of their teachers, Mrs. Linda Cessar and Mrs. Cathy
Thimons, is to
have them ready
to engage in
honors science
courses in high
school but the
overriding theme
of the whole
program is to
make sure kids
don’t fear science.
“It should
be fun.” Mrs.
Cessar reports,
a Chemical Analyst by training with over 20 years’ experience
in the field. “I definitely challenge them and they better be
prepared, but everybody should feel comfortable.”
Make no mistake, there are tests and assignments with
a program that meets the PA state standards and the NEXT
generation science standards but there is also a clear goal of
providing students the opportunity to experience the joys and
wonders of science through hands-on scientific investigation
and experiments.
The results of this approach speak to the strength and success
of the curriculum. Each year, students prepare for and attend
both the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair
and the Pittsburgh Junior Academy of Science Competitions.
These events are entirely optional but isn’t unusual to see Alpha
students begin preparing in August.
Last school year, two seventh grade students, Sofia Mancing
and Gina Palladino, were presented with additional awards from
the Society of Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh for achieving
the highest Chemistry scores at PJAS for the entire region. Mrs.
Cessar, was also the recipient of the 2018 Teacher Award from
the SCAP.
Clearly, when children are taught well and develop a love for
science, the lessons remain.
Providence Heights
ALPHA SCHOOL
2017-18 School Year
Golden Apple Teacher Award
SACP Teacher Award
Two SACP Student Awards
Forensics Champions
Ready to Join us for the
NEXT School Year?
www.AlphaSchool.org
Open House Oct 13th 9-11am
9000 Babcock Blvd, Allison park, PA 15101
412-366-4455
Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence
NORTH ALLEGHENY
❘
FALL 2018
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