Penn State @ KleinLife
Program Overview
Penn State Abington and KleinLife have partnered to provide a STEM-based high school enrichment program for KleinLife families and neighborhood high school students. This collaborative effort aims to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for high school students in the Northeast Philadelphia community.
Unique STEM Program Partnership Celebrates Its First Graduates.
STEM Program
After-school STEM workshops are offered to high school students in grades 9 to 12 to enhance their STEM skills. These seven-week workshops emphasize project-based skills, design, computer science, and engineering. Examples of workshop topics include programming with electronics, sensors and robotics, Python coding, and entrepreneurship engineering.
In partnership with KleinLife, Penn State University – Abington is offering free day-time MATH Enrichment classes exclusively for George Washington High School students who will be let go from
school to KleinLife.
Eligibility
Any George Washington High School student with strong interest in MATH is eligible to participate. The initial math level is determined by a placement test.
MATH 1: Monday & Wednesday - Lesson Time: 1:00pm- 3:00pm, (Optional) Help Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm (January 22 – June 11, 2025)
The course is designed for 9th to 12th grade students and covers Algebra I and elements of Algebra II. Students are required to take a placement test.
Register for Math 1 here: https://register.outreach.psu.edu/search/publicCourseSectionDetails.do?method=load§ionId=31725817
MATH 2: Tuesday & Thursday- Lesson Time: 1:00pm- 3:00pm, (Optional) Help Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm (January 21, 2024– June 12, 2025)
The course is designed for 9th to 12th grade students and covers Algebra II and Trigonometry. Students are required to take a placement test. Students who successfully completed MATH 1 are automatically eligible for MATH 2. Completion of MATH 2 prepares students for the rigor of the AP and IB courses, as well as college level courses, such as Statistics, Computer Science I and Calculus.
Register for Math 2 here: https://register.outreach.psu.edu/search/publicCourseSectionDetails.do?method=load§ionId=31725892
Course Costs
Courses are free, but capacity is limited to the first 20 participants
STEM Module 3: Gaming with Python, March 11 - May 1, 2025
(7 weeks, no classes during Easter Break, April 14-18):
Coding and gaming collide when students are immersed in the software project lifecycle designing and developing an adventure game using practical examples.
Course Costs: $99* for 7 weeks (14 classes), Limited to the first 20 participants
*If you have participated and successfully completed any of our programs in the past, the registration fee can be waved.
Times: 6:00pm- 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at KleinLife.
Register here: app.campdoc.com/register/psu/abkleinstem325
Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment courses are provided onsite at KleinLife and are taught by Penn State faculty. Students will earn college credit after successfully completing courses.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Students must be in grades 11 and 12 and in good academic standing (GPA of 2.8 or higher or with a recommendation from their high school)
- Completion of pre-requisite levels of math competency (i.e. Algebra II or higher)
- A short entrance interview
Tuition for dual enrollment courses is offered at a discounted rate of approximately 50%. Financial need-based scholarships may be available.
Dual Enrollment Programs
Penn State Abington will offer two college courses in Spring 2025
CMPSC 132 (3 credits)
Programming and Computation II: Data Structures
This course builds upon the foundations of programming and computation by introducing and studying the data structures and programming language features that support the design and construction of large-scale software systems. It introduces the foundations of object-oriented programming, the design and analysis of efficient algorithms using important data structures, and programming techniques that support reusable and modular program components, including data abstraction, polymorphism, and higher-order functions.
Meeting Days and Times: Mondays and Wednesdays 6pm-8pm
February 10- May 7, 2025 (no classes during spring break: April 14-18)
Location: KleinLife (JCC), 10100 Jamison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116
Eligibility: Students must be currently enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade in a local high school and able to demonstrate adequate academic preparation, as evidenced by a >2.8 GPA, success in AP or Honors courses, and/or a letter of support from their guidance counselor and/or teacher. Successful completion of Computer Science I (or an equivalent class) is required.
MATH 140 (4 credits) - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I: Differential calculus topics include derivatives and their applications to rates of change, related rates, linearization, optimization, and graphing techniques. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, relating differential and integral calculus begins the study of Integral Calculus. Antidifferentiation and the technique of substitution is used in integration applications of finding areas of plane figures and volumes of solids of revolution.
Meeting Days and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm-8pm
February 4- May 8, 2025 (no classes during spring break: April 14-18)
Location: KleinLife (JCC), 10100 Jamison Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19116
Eligibility: Students must be currently enrolled in the 11th or 12th grade in a local high school and able to demonstrate adequate academic preparation, as evidenced by a >2.8 GPA, success in AP or Honors courses, and/or a letter of support from their guidance counselor and/or teacher. Solid mastery of pre-calculus (algebra and trigonometry) is required.
For more information, contact [email protected].
KleinLife is a vibrant community resource that provides social, educational and cultural programs, and vital health, wellness and social services. Rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam, its community is multigenerational, mixed income and ethnically diverse. Individuals regularly come together to participate in enrichment offerings, receive vital services, enjoy each other’s company, and connect to additional resources and support.
