Penn College News

Earth Science springs into action for Dual Enrollment visit

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Photos by Jennifer Cline, writer/magazine editor; Chuck D. Crews Jr., assistant director for secondary partnerships; and Laura M. Machak, coordinator of secondary partnerships operations

At the Schneebeli Earth Science Center pond, Wellsboro Area High School students talk with Zach D. Vent (seated on left), of Everett, about the life of a Penn College landscape/plant production technology student. It was the first time a Penn College Dual Enrollment student visit was held solely at the college's Earth Science campus near Allenwood.

Penn College hosted its final Dual Enrollment student visit for 2023-24 at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center, the first time the event has been held solely on that campus.

Forty-four students and five chaperones traveled from Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, and Wellsboro Area High School. They explored labs, interacted with Penn College students, and took part in hands-on activities in forestry, landscape/plant production, diesel technology, on-site power generation and heavy construction equipment technology.

Penn College Dual Enrollment, coordinated by Penn College’s Secondary Partnerships Office, allows academically qualified high school and career and technology center students to take Penn College courses tuition-free during their regular school day. The college hosts visit days for the students throughout the academic year.

The recent visit, well-received by both visitors and Earth Science Center constituents, promises to become an annual event.

Andrew J. Venema, a student in heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis, instructs a student from the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology on the controls of a John Deere. Venema is from Montoursville.
Gio A. Barbarossa, of Bridgeville, talks with the visitors about the Diesel Performance Club’s 1959 B-61 Model Mack drag truck. Barbarossa is set to graduate with an associate degree in electric power generation: diesel emphasis on May 11 and to continue studying toward a bachelor’s degree in building automation technology.
During a speed interview activity near the pond, high school students ask their Penn College counterparts a series of questions about their majors, their career aspirations and Penn College life.
Justin W. Beishline (on left in khakis), assistant dean of diesel technology/natural resources, provides a campus tour, stopping in the Kenworth of Pennsylvania Advanced Electrical Diagnostics Lab.
Sarah F. Marino, enrollment counselor, provides perspective from the Admissions Office.
A dual-enrollment visitor disassembles a torque converter.
TJ Buck, a diesel technology student from Warminster, talks dual enrollment students through the workings of an Allison transmission.
A student from Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology works to knock a soccer ball from its post.