Welcome to the Thirst Project video challenge! For the next 3 weeks you can vote to see one of these teachers pied in the face. This week we have Dr. K and Mr. Ronevich starting this out. You have until March 17 to donate to one of their links and vote to see them pied. Thank you for participating. We’ll check back in the coming weeks to declare a winner. If you want to see Dr. K get pied click here https://my.thirstproject.org/fundraiser/3140658, and if you want to see Mr. Ronevich get pied click here: https://my.thirstproject.org/fundraiser/3140654.

Recognized for Closing the Gender Gap in AP Computer Science A

Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy (SciTech) has earned the College Board AP^® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A. Schools honored with the AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award have expanded girls’ access in AP Computer Science courses.

Out of the 20,000 institutions that offer AP courses, 1,119 achieved either 50% or higher female representation in one of the two AP computer science courses or a percentage of the female computer science examinees meeting or exceeding that of the school’s female during the 2019-20 school year. That’s nearly 37% more than the 818 schools recognized last year. In 2020, SciTech was one of 232 recognized in the category of AP Computer Science A.

During an unprecedented year, SciTech female students have demonstrated perseverance and dedication in their study of AP Computer Science. We could not be more proud of SciTech female students for staking their claim as the next generation of STEM and computer science professionals. We can’t wait to see their passion for next generation technology lead to lifelong success.

“SciTech’s students need the power to shape technology, not just cope with it,” says Stefanie Sanford, College Board chief of global policy and external relations. “Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech leaders. Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future they want.”

AP Computer Science A students learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society. The number of female AP CSA exam-takers has grown steadily, up nearly 25% since 2017. Overall AP computer science course participation has increased 79% since 2017, broadening STEM career opportunities for more students.

Providing female students with access to computer science courses is critical to ensuring gender parity in the industry’s high-paying jobs and to drive innovation, creativity, and representation. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $88,240 in May 2019. However, a code.org analysis of 2017 Bureau of Labor Statistics data finds women represent just 24% of the 5 million people in computing occupations.

That’s why new College Board research about AP CSP is so encouraging. According to the data, female students who take AP CSP in high school are more than 5 times as likely to major in computer science in college, compared to similar female students who did not take CSP. The study also finds AP CSP students are nearly twice as likely to enroll in AP CSA, and that for most students, AP CSP serves as a stepping-stone to other advanced AP STEM coursework.

These findings make it all the more imperative that schools nationwide achieve gender parity in AP Computer Science classrooms. The 1,119 schools that receive this year’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award should serve as inspirations and models for all American high schools, where overall, female students remain under-represented in computer science classes, comprising just 34% of AP Computer Science Principles participants. So there is a long way to go to achieve equal gender representation in the field of computer science. Currently, less than half of the nation’s high schools teach foundational computer science, a clear opportunity to be addressed by strong partnerships between policymakers, the tech industry, and educators.

We are pleased to share our Educational Equity Policy. An essential step to ensure that we are creating a more equitable school is to explicitly define what social justice is and what a commitment to creating a socially just and equitable learning environment looks like for our students. We believe that all members of the school community should understand the concrete actions and strategies that ensure more equitable outcomes for students that have been historically marginalized. We are asking that you discuss this policy with your student, and you should feel free to email Dr. McNeil any additional feedback that you would like to share. We appreciate your engagement in renewing a commitment to this important work.

Join us for a Virtual Prospective Student Open House on Thursday, October 29th from 5:00-6:30pm.

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or call in (audio only)

+1 412-357-6229

Phone Conference ID: 959 873 054#

Thursday, October 29th 5-6:30pm

We will post the links to join the session beginning Monday, October 26th on our website and SciTech Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pittsburghscitech.

Please join Amy Sawdey, PHEAA’s Higher Education Access Partner in Allegheny County, for a Virtual Financial Aid Night Webinar from the comfort of your home. This presentation will provide an early understanding of the financial decisions students need to make concerning higher education. Amy will discuss higher education costs, the types of financial aid available, and how to apply for financial aid. Participants will have the opportunity to enter questions in the Q & A section at any time, as well as at the end of the presentation.

Event:  PHEAA Virtual Financial Aid Night

Date:  October 7, 2020

Start Time:  6:00 PM

Event Link: https://pheaaconf.webex.com/pheaaconf/onstage/g.php?MTID=e8381df2b7a6ba12d92461bd8662c94cc

Financial Aid/ FAFSA Materials:

FAFSA Tip Sheet

Scholarship Tip Sheet

Planning for Higher Education Timeline

Student Aid Guide

We are working to create a safe and supportive learning environment for students who are choosing to return to in-person learning. The first day of the second quarter is November 9, 2020 and we need your information!
Families who chose in-person learning will attend school for two days and be remote for the other three days of the week. This survey is not designed to change a family’s original choice, but help to gather data from families who did not complete the original survey. Families should complete one survey for each of their SciTech students by Wednesday, October 7th.
Please click HERE to complete the survey.

This year Parent Teacher Conferences will be held virtually on Thursday, October 15th from 4pm-7pm and Friday, October 16th from 8am-12pm. 

How to Sign-Up?
Reach out to the teacher via email directly to request a 10-minute time slot. When a time is set, they will send you a Microsoft Teams virtual meeting join link. Conferences MUST be scheduled in advance- there will be no drop-in times. Find the staff directory here. 

Conference Planning Document
Here is a conference planning document that may be helpful to add information to as you schedule conferences. 

At this time we do not have an open house scheduled due to the Pittsburgh Public Schools Magnet Fair being postponed. Please be sure to check back for information soon!