Student Programs
Sea Air and Land Challenge
The Sea Air and Land Challenge is a STEM initiative in which teams of high school or middle school aged students learn about the engineering process through the design and build of a robotic system. The systems are then used to compete in challenges relevant to the Department of Defense which mimic missions encountered by the military, national security agencies and first responders. The Foundation hosts an annual event every year with scholarship opportunities available to winning teams.
What's So Cool About Manufacturing?
The Foundation partners to host an online marketing contest for middle school students, where participants create a 2-minute marketing video for a partner manufacturing company. Students learn valuable skills such as shooting A and B roll footage, storyboarding, video editing, adding music, and producing a polished final product. Classroom activities also cover social media and digital marketing strategies. The contest culminates in a 48-hour online event where videos are showcased, and the public votes for their favorite through a viewer’s-choice format.
Classroom on Mainstreet
- Educator in the Workplace – The goal of this program is to enhance high school and middle school curriculum development by partnering educators with businesses in Columbia and Montour Counties. Educators bring their experiences back into the classroom through job shadowing experiences and lesson plan development.
- Student in the Workplace – The Student in the Workplace program brings students to a variety of on-site experiences for career exploration.
- Classroom in the Hospital – Students from local schools explore health careers in partnership with local healthcare organizations.
- Classroom on Main Street- Students from local high schools explore busines and entrepreneurships, meeting with small business owners and entrepreneurship experts.
Tech Theatre
In partnership with the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble and Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg, this program merges STEM and theater curricula to appeal to students who may not see STEM as valuable to their future in the arts. Through this program, we've purchased high-end tech equipment for theater programs in all eight high schools to teach about light and sound in arts production.
Financial Literacy in Susquehanna Valley
- Personal Finance Lab: The Foundation has partnered with Brighter Financial Futures and Journey Bank to offer interactive financial literacy programming to high school students in local school districts. This collaboration provides students with hands-on learning opportunities that teach essential financial skills, empowering them to make informed decisions about managing their personal finances. Through engaging, real-world applications, the program ensures students are equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate financial challenges both now and in the future.
Stock Market Challenge: This program allows students to experience the thrill of investing without all the risk of losing real money. With $100,000 of virtual cash, students are in control of their fortune, and compete with other teams from their region and across the state. Teachers register their students in one of three grade-based divisions -: Elementary (Grades 4-5), Junior High/Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12).
FFEW- Scholarships
The Foundation offers scholarships to graduating seniors from eight local high schools for two key programs: the Skills that Pay program, which focuses on foundational skills development, and Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW), an immersive program that teaches high school students about the American free enterprise system. Both programs connect motivated students with business professionals from across the state, providing valuable opportunities for learning and career exploration.
Learning for Life
A partnership with the Columbia-Montour Boy Scouts of America to offer career exploration opportunities to local middle and high schoolers, and to pair local organizations and their career opportunities with students, through guest speakers.