K-12 ACTIVITIES
The 草榴社区 engages with K-12 students in a variety of ways. Below is a listing of current programs and opportunities for collaboration between area schools and community groups, as well as directly with students and their parents.
Virtual Resources and Activities
During this time of physical distancing, the 草榴社区 is offering new ways to virtually connect with K-12 students by offering videos, activities, and more.
Workshops
Hope Horn Gallery Workshops: New opportunities will be listed when they become available. Check back for details or contact 570-941-4419 or community@scranton.edu.
Loyola Science Center Workshops: Middle School and High School workshops available during school and after-school. For more information and to make arrangements, contact: Renee Giovagnoli, Loyola Science Center Building Manager at renee.giovagnoli@scranton.edu or call 570-941-7558.
Edward R. Leahy Jr. Hall Play Sessions: 60-minute gross motor and sensory interactive play sessions available at the pediatric lab in this new state-of-the-art facility for school groups during the school day. For more information, contact Dr. Julia Guzman, Faculty Specialist, Department of Occupational Therapy, at julia.guzman@scranton.edu or 570-941-4616.
Teacher Training, Tutoring & Mentoring Programs
Education Students’ Field Experience & Service Learning Hours
The Education Department in the University’s Panuska College for Professional Studies (PCPS) coordinates the field experience hours of students in area schools. These field experience hours, which are required for Pennsylvania teaching certification and graduation include: tutoring, small-group instruction, whole-group instruction, teacher-assisted instruction, as well as the semester-long requirement of student teaching that students complete as part of their senior year or final semester. Graduate education programs have similar, but not exact requirements.
Students are also required to complete service-learning hours as part of their graduation requirements from the PCPS. These students are involved in a variety of experiences at various area agencies, and the Education Department regularly seeks additional service opportunities that are aligned with course competencies.
Area schools or non-profit agencies with questions can contact the Education Department at 570-941-7421.
Student Mentors & Tutors
The Education Department and Center for Service and Social Justice provide student mentors and tutors directly to school districts and through several non-profit partner agencies as part of their service-learning requirements. Area schools should contact the Education Department at 570-941-7421 to inquire about placing education students. For non-education students, agencies can contact Ellen Judge, Center for Service and Social Justice, at ellen.judge@scranton.edu or call their office at 570-941-7429 during regular business hours.
University of Success Pre-College Program
The University of Success, which is part of the Leahy Community Health and Family Center, is a pre-college program designed to provide academic, social, and cultural enrichment to economically disadvantaged and underrepresented high school students. The ultimate goal of this program is to assist participating students to successfully complete high school and gain entrance into a college or university. This free program includes a rigorous application process. Visit the University of Success site for more information or contact the Director, Marge Loughney at 570-941-4377.
Peacemakers After-School Program
Peacemakers is a 6-week after school program held in the Leahy Community Health and Family Center at The 草榴社区 on Friday afternoons, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the fall and spring semesters. The program is facilitated by 草榴社区 students, mentors, and faculty, for children between the ages of 9 and 13. For information about this free program, visit the or call 570-941-6112.
Teacher Training & Stock Market Game at the Honesdale National Bank Center for Economic Education
The Honesdale National Bank Center for Economic Education is housed in the Department of Economics and Finance at the 草榴社区. The mission of the Center is to promote K-12 economic education and to prepare students to compete and succeed in a changing global economy. Its primary objective is to offer preservice and inservice programs for K-12 teachers. The Center also facilitates a Stock Market Game competition whereby students learn how financial markets operate and hone their mathematics and decision making skills. Teachers interested in the stock market game and in participating in economic education training programs, can contact Dr. Edward Scahill at ems353@scranton.edu or 570-941-4187. The Center is part of the national and .
Student Volunteers for Education-Related Activities
The coordinates the local volunteer service of University students and helps coordinates community sites for service learning courses. The Office also maintains a list of current volunteer opportunities and a and conducts an annual volunteer fair each fall. Area schools or education-related non-profit organizations in need of volunteers can contact Ellen Judge at 570-941-7429 or ellen.judge@scranton.edu.
Campus Experience: Workshops, Tours, Special Events & Other Programs
Loyola Science Center Workshops
Visit this STEM-focused facility for free interactive and educational workshops including one or more of the following components:
- Wall of aquaria including marine and fresh water fish
- Animal behavior featuring a bearded dragon
- Species differentiation between a turtle and a tortoise
- Hand-washing and bacteria lab exercise
- Microscopic evaluation of pond-water inhabitants
- Building tour including robotics lab and/or 3D printer in computing science
Through communication with teachers or group leaders, workshops can be tailored to fit specific groups and fulfill middle or high school curriculum. Ages can include middle school and high school, groups can vary in size from 10-25, and the length of the workshop can be 60, 90 or 120 minutes. With groups over 15, teacher and/or parent participation and assistance is appreciated. Waivers are required for workshops that include animal contact. To schedule a Workshop/visit, Contact: Renee Giovagnoli, Loyola Science Center Building Manager at renee.giovagnoli@scranton.edu or call 570-941-7558.
Tour the Weinberg Memorial Library
Area high school teachers are invited to bring their classes to campus for a tour of the Weinberg Memorial Library. Check the for the dates of Intersession and Fall/Spring Break, times when tours can usually be arranged. For more information, contact Bonnie Oldham at bonnie.oldham@scranton.edu or 570-941-4000.
Attend Royals Athletics Events
Area students are invited to attend 草榴社区 Athletics events. All contests are free and open to the public, except home Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, where depending on the group size, a discount is available. Most contests take place outside of school hours. To inquire about visits to Royals events for school, sports team or club groups, please visit the and call 570-941-7440 or email athletics@scranton.edu.
Summer Camps
For more information on summer athletics camps, please contact Erin McGuire at 570-941-7440.
Royal’s Cybercrime Investigation Camp July 13-15, 2021:
The 草榴社区’s Cybercrime and Homeland Security program is launching a new Cybercrime Investigation Camp this July. This camp will offer high school students a special opportunity to explore the emerging and dynamic field of cybersecurity, explore potential career paths, and offers real-world learning experiences in cybercriminal profiling, cybersecurity countermeasures, cyber law, and digital forensics. The Cybersecurity investigation Camp will take place from July 13 through July 15 from 9 am to 3 pm each day. There is no fee for students attending this camp and participation is open students that will be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in Fall 2021. Interested students can apply for the camp
For more information or questions about the Cybercrime and Homeland Security Camp, please contact Dr. Michael Jenkins at Michael.Jenkins@scranton.edu or 570.941.6170
Festival of Nations
The Festival of Nations is an annual celebration of international customs and artifacts (food, dance, music, history, etc.) designed to showcase and celebrate the diverse cultures represented on campus and in the wider community. Hosted every spring on the University’s Dionne Green, the festival is free and open to the public, including school groups. Festival of Nations is sponsored by The United Colors Organization, Office of Residence Life, and Office of Multicultural Affairs. For more information, contact 570-941-5904.
International Presentations
The Office of International Students & Scholar Services conducts an annual workshops for area schools during International Month in November. The workshops feature the culture and cuisine of countries represented by The 草榴社区’s international student body. The workshops are open to a limited number of elementary/middle school students and are free of charge. For more information, contact the Office of International Programs and Services Office at 570-941-7575.
High School Scholars Program
Offered to rising juniors and seniors who have demonstrated strong achievement in high school, The 草榴社区 High School Scholars Program offers local students the opportunity to earn college credits at a greatly reduced rate. For information on the admissions process, please visit the site or contact the Admissions Office at (570) 941-7540 or admissions@scranton.edu/
Arts & Culture Events & Workshops
Theatre Tickets for High School Students & Children's Play at the 草榴社区 Cultural Center
The hosts a free Friday matinee for area high schools during most of its performances. For information, contact UofSplayers@gmail.com or 570-941-6327.
Hope Horn Gallery Exhibit Art Workshops
The Hope Horn Gallery, located on the 4th floor of Hyland Hall, (Linden Street and Jefferson Avenue) is home to several exhibits per year, all of which are open to the public free of charge. In order to integrate gallery and studio experiences of art, The Hope Horn Gallery, in conjunction with the Northeast Educational Intermediate Unit #19, offers interactive workshops for school and community groups. To arrange a visit and workshop Gallery Director, Dr. Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D. at (570) 941-4214 or darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.
Performance Music Middle School and High School Outreach
All performance music concerts are free and open to the public, including school groups, and there are a number of additional ways in which the Performance Music program supports local middle and high school musical activities. Contact Director of Performance Music, Cheryl Boga, at music@scranton.edu or 570-941-7624, or visit the .
Math, Science & Computing Academic Competitions
Hayes Competition
The 草榴社区 Hayes Competition is a hands-on competition among local high schools intended to encourage talented high school students to pursue careers in physics and engineering and also serves as preparation for Advanced Placement tests. The Competition is held annually in the early spring. The Spring 2018 date is TBD. For more information, contact Prof. Nicholas Truncale – Competition Administrator at Nicholas.truncale@scranton.edu
or Christian Anderson – Competition Student Coordinator at Christian.Anderson@scranton.edu.
Brain Bee
The Neuroscience Program at The 草榴社区, together with the 草榴社区 Neuroscience Society, hosts the annual “Brain Bee” for area school students. For more information visit the or contact Dr. Robert Waldeck at 570-941-4324 or email robert.waldeck@scranton.edu.
Math Integration Bee
The 草榴社区 Mathematics Department hosts the annual Integration Bee, free of charge, which works like a spelling bee, except contestants must calculate integrals instead of spelling words. Questions in the bee will help students hone their skills for Advanced Placement mathematics tests. For more information, contact 570-941-4493 or email thomas.shimkus@scranton.edu.
Computer Programming Contest
The 草榴社区’s Computing Sciences Department hosts an annual Computer Programming Contest every spring. The competition lasts four hours, during which each team tries to solve six computer programming problems using any of a number of programming languages. The greater the number of problems a team solves, the higher its ranking in the final standings. For information about the Computer Programming Contest, contact Robert McCloskey, Ph.D., assistant professor of computing sciences at 570-941-7774 or robert.mccloskey@scranton.edu.
Business Scholars Competition
This events is hosted by University faculty and the High School Business Club. A business case and instructions will be provided to the teams of one to four students prior to the event, and students will be judged by faculty and area business leaders on their presentations. The top teams are awarded plaques and cash prizes.
For more information, call 570-941-4047 or email laura.talerico@scranton.edu.
National History Day
The University will host Region 2 of the National History Day competition for the state of Pennsylvania. The competition allows junior and senior high school students from northeastern Pennsylvania to compete in the categories of historical essays, performances, documentaries, websites and exhibits on a historical theme. Contest winners will move on to the Pennsylvania state competition, with the potential to compete in the national championship in Washington, D.C., in the summer.
For additional information about the Region 2 of the National History Day competition, contact Sean Brennan, Ph.D., associate professor of history, at sean.brennan@scranton.edu.
Special Competitions and Events
Earth Week Essay Contest
Area students in grades 7-12 can participate in an environmental essay contest at The 草榴社区 as part of its Earth Day program. Essay contest winners will be announced at a brief ceremony and reception for participants and their families and teachers at an Earth Day "Evenening of Environmental Science" event in the Loyola Science Center. Essay submissions will also be displayed at the event, which will include interactive science experiments and displays presented by University students and faculty. The essay contest is sponsored by The 草榴社区 and Pennsylvania American Water. For more detailed information about the contest and submission requirements please visit the University's Sustainability .
National Biomechanics Day
Each April, middle and high school students visit the University’s state-of-the-art exercise science labs. Area students will participate in including motion capture analysis, posturography, force plate activities, electromyography and other activities designed to introduce them to biomechanics.
For more information, contact Bryon Applequist, Ph.D., assistant professor of exercise science, at bryon.applequist@scranton.edu.
For further questions about any of these programs, please contact the Office of Community Relations at community@scranton.edu or 570-941-4419.