Female students from local high schools participate in SRU's Girls Rock at STEM program, in which juniors come to campus to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), talk to professors and work on projects. This is one of several programs at SRU that bring high school students to campus.

SLIPPERY ROCK — High school students can get their first college experience by participating in one of Slippery Rock University’s academic outreach programs that give them opportunities to learn about foreign languages, science, music, art, athletics and other areas.

“Slippery Rock University annually hosts a variety of academic days, inviting regional high school students to visit the campus and gain exposure to college academic programs and resources while presenting or competing in a variety of academic opportunities,” said Philip Way, SRU provost and vice president for academic and student affairs.

“As the premier educational leader in the region, we see the university as a tremendous resource for the entire community, not only for secondary school students, but also for their parents.

“In addition to musical concerts, performing arts programs, dance recitals, theater performances and college-level athletic competitions, the campus brings intellectual vibrancy to the region. Our special events for high school students give them the chance to meet with peers from other high schools while gaining an understanding of how their school’s academic programs stack up,” Way said.

William Sigmund, SRU professor of biology and program coordinator, said, “SRU has been a longtime partner with the Region IX Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science which hosts its annual meeting at SRU. The event draws more than 500 high school budding scientists to campus where they present their research to judges for evaluation and rating.

“This event is among the highlights for many academically talented high school students. It gives them exposure to experts outside of their home school, and lets them see what kind of research other high school students in the region are undertaking,” Sigmund said.

SRU’s World Language Competition Day program brings hundreds of high school language students to the campus to show off their foreign language skills.

“Some 1,000 students from 25 regional schools where students are learning French, Spanish and Japanese get to hone their skills and compete for awards as part of the program,” said Deb Cohen, professor in SRU’s department of modern languages and cultures. “This year’s program included a number of special language workshops.”

SRU also has hosts a special program for girls attending regional high schools and interested in pursuing degrees in any of the academic areas so-called “STEM” — science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“This program, known as Girls Rock at STEM, is for freshmen through junior high school women and gives them the chance to explore STEM careers by shadowing SRU faculty who serve as their mentors,” said Katrina Quinn, associate professor of communication and a co-chair of SRU’s President’s Commission on the Status of Women, which sponsors the event.

“During their visit the students get to visit chemistry, biology, physical therapy, math, physics, computer science and psychology laboratories, many offering hands-on projects,” she said

Way added, “In addition, SRU hosts Jazz Day at the Rock, Opportunity Knocks, an annual high school art competition, special programs for Girl Scouts seeking to earn merit badges, a number of one-day sports clinics at which our athletic teams work with high school athletes. We host number of weeklong summer camps in a variety of athletic programs, including football, track, soccer, and pole vaulting,” he said.

“While many think of our campus as a resource for college students, it truly is a resource for the entire region. Our library, athletic facilities and our campus programs, including music and dance concerts, plays and guest lectures are here for the community.”