Oct 31, 2014 3 min read

FREDERICKTOWN – Bethlehem-Center High School is in the process of converting its library into a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics studio.

The district recently was awarded a $115,000 grant from The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to create the studio, which must be completed by July 2015.

Superintendent Linda Marcolini said the district decided to pursue the studio after touring a similar project at Elizabeth Forward School District in Allegheny County. Elizabeth Forward also helped Beth-Center seek and obtain the grant.

Last year, the district secured several iPads on loan through Intermediate Unit 1, a regional educational agency that strives to provide educational support to students, parents, educators and others involved in the learning process. Aaron Cornell, Beth-Center High School principal, said the iPads were a big success, and became the district’s pilot program for incorporating technology. A void was created when the devices were later returned.

“Students provided digital artifacts, replacing pencil and paper activities and were able to submit and receive grades electronically,” he said. “The success of the program led to the professional development throughout the district.”

Remodeling of the library is set to begin this month. In addition to the grant money, the district will also be contributing $60,000 to the project. District officials plan to transition the library into an interactive, open space with bright colors, updated computers and electronics and a green screen and television studio. Marcolini said the district will incorporate the more popular books back into the space. The books that aren’t used will be donated to area libraries.

Cornell called the project “nontraditional.” Both administrators would also like to see a lounge added, where students can buy snacks and sit and work on homework.

Marcolini said a committee composed of parents and staff has been created to guide the project. She said the district must show that it will be able to sustain the studio in the future.

“We have some ideas, but they need to be discussed more in-depth,” she said.

Once the studio is complete, Marcolini said she will encourage other districts within the county to tour their facility. She is hoping to create partnerships with other districts like they have with Elizabeth Forward. Todd Keruskin, assistant superintendent with Elizabeth Forward, said it’s important to prepare students to work with multimedia projects.

“We really want to be able to give them digital tools and prepare them for the future,” he said. “There are still a lot of schools without technology. There is a huge gap between high- and low-income families.”

Keruskin, who has two children in the Beth-Center district, believes the district is making strides in the right direction. Like other parents, he wants to see his children engaged.

“We are all trying to move to the information age,” he said.

Marcolini and Cornell are thrilled with the project and are looking forward to continuing the initiative throughout the district. Marcolini said the district also recently received a $5,000 grant from Chevron to help build an energy lab at the middle school. She is pursuing other grants in the hopes of moving toward “a new direction in education.”

“This type of direction we are pushing them in, it is getting them ready for the outside world,” Marcolini said.