IN South Fayette Spring 2017 | Page 60

outh Fayette

SOUTH FAYETTE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS

South Fayette HS Student Consultants Partner with Three Regional High School Student Teams to Provide Solutions for a Real-World Experience

South Fayette High School students collaborated with students from Blackhawk High School , Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy , and University Prep Academy of the Pittsburgh Public School District to develop a business and design plan to renovate the theatre within the Energy Innovation Center ( formerly Connelley VoTech ), which is located in Pittsburgh ’ s Hill District and was once a classroom to local jazz greats such as George Benson .
The executive staff of the Energy Innovation Center ( EIC ) is dedicated to providing authentic project-based learning experiences for students throughout the region . As such , they proposed an opportunity for these four high schools to collaborate to solve four specific needs for the renovation of the theatre space .
Blackhawk students were tasked with developing interior design concepts for the space while the Pittsburgh SciTech Academy team provided research and data on the ADA requirements and space usage . The Pittsburgh University Prep team of film students captured the voices of the Hill District residents reminiscing about their memories of the “ Old Hill ” while providing their thoughts on what the redesigned
58 South Fayette theatre should provide to the region . South Fayette students were charged with the tasks of developing a sustainability plan , a competitive analysis , and a marketing plan that included branding and promotional options . South Fayette students who participated in this collaborative project are enrolled in either Business Management or Theatre Arts courses .
interior design research and data
ideas plans and analysis
Overall , their general consensus is to have a place to bring people together through cultural and educational programs , music and art programs , and open the rich history of jazz from their community to the entire region . They also agreed that the theatre should be a hub for youth of southwestern PA to gather to learn , create and work with each other to promote a regional collaborative effort for a greater understanding of diversity and inclusion .
Throughout the five months dedicated to the project , all of the students transformed into business consultants as their teachers became facilitators and they met with their peer consultants from the partner schools both in person and digitally to discuss progress and future collaborations .
This project afforded students the opportunity to apply classroom curriculum to a real-world problem and setting . The project culminated in a formal presentation to various interested parties both within the Energy Innovation Center and administration from the participating districts . While challenging , this project provided South Fayette students the opportunity to reach beyond the classroom and work with a diverse group of other students and business professionals while working as and being treated as professional consultants .
The South Fayette Consultant team included Spencer Battershall , Doug Brandy , Gianna Brandy , Mike Cusick , Nicole Cronin , Sam Franjione , Eamon Horowitz , Veronica Kayona , Joaldy Landaverde-Guerrero , Kathryn Lombardi , Andres Murguia , Noah Pitetti , Kate Russo , Taylor Scanlon , Maria Wack , Max Watterson , Hannah Wilson , Joseph Milteer , Kyle Pschirer , and Hannah Vollmer . Teachers Brandon Flannery and Courtney Rabi provided this incredible opportunity for these students .
Robert Meeder , CEO , EIC and Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation ; Bill Miller , COO , Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation ; and Jessica Lee , Vice President and Program Director , Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation provided feedback and additional information to each of the teams after their presentations . It was a win-win for all partners of this project . Students gained an opportunity to apply their academic knowledge and present to corporate executives and gain hands-on experience with the four essential skills of collaboration , creativity , communication and critical thinking , the hallmark of job readiness success , while the EIC team received fresh , innovative ideas from the leaders , workforce , and innovators of tomorrow .