Our 2018 Summer Session was fantastic! With our theme "To College... And Beyond!" we hosted our rising Juniors and Seniors for five weeks on the campus of Salem International University.
Core Classes
All students took core classes to boost their skills in Math, Science, English, History (Juniors only) and Careers (Seniors only). Core classes were Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 12:00pm (except Wednesdays).
Enrichment Classes
Juniors and first-year Seniors took "Enrichment" classes in the afternoon, including Theatre, Psychology, Pre-Med (M/W/F) and Guitar, Art, and Fitness (T/Th).
Job Shadowing
Second-year Seniors had the opportunity each afternoon to earn money doing job shadowing with local businesses. Students learned about careers in physical therapy, veterinary science, business, information technology, education, nursing, among others.
Career Activities
Seniors spent Wednesday mornings learning about careers in different fields by visiting local businesses and hearing from guest speakers.
--Thanks to a partnership with Dr. Javaid Syed of Salem University and The Thrasher Group, seniors were able to explore the STEM field with a focus on drone technology. Students learned about the physics and technology involved in drones as well as their applications, got to check out some high-tech drones and even fly some of them. They also got to tour Thrasher headquarters and hear about career opportunities.
--All students were able to learn about the field of engineering from Lesley Rosier-Tabor, P.E., who spoke to our students about careers in engineering, the many different branches of the field, and the impact engineers have on our world. Students then had the opportunity to step into the shoes of an engineer with a challenge activity.
--Seniors traveled to Highland Hospital in Clarksburg for a tour. There they heard from several professionals about the different career opportunities available there, as well as related career opportunities in the medical field and behavioral and mental health fields.
Life Skills & Test Prep
Juniors spent Wednesday mornings working through the "Making Proud Choices" curriculum with a volunteer from the WV Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative.
Most evenings, all students spent time working through Personal Best Test Training, an innovative test prep program, to build their test taking skills and get ready for the ACT, SAT and PSAT.
Volunteers from Fairmont Federal Credit Union introduced students to "Mad City Money", a real-world budgeting simulation in which students take on the role of adults, are given jobs, income, a family, and debt. They are challenged to visit merchants to select housing, transportation, food, household necessities, clothing, day care, and other wants and needs while building a budget.
Evening activities
Evenings were packed full of fun, engaging activities, guest speakers and field trips including a talent show, bonfires, swimming, movies, a dance, shopping, community service, and more.
Summer trip
Our sixth week consisted of an educational and cultural trip to Wheeling, WV and Pittsburgh, PA. Students got to tour two colleges, learn about the history of our state's capitol, visit the Nationality Classrooms at Pitt's Cathedral of Learning, spend a fun-filled day at Kennywood amusement park, and do some hands-on exploring at Carnegie Science Center!