It may have been a shorter week due to the Fourth of July holiday, but students in the Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program made the most of every moment.
Across all cohorts in Pittsburgh, Altoona, and Johnstown, learners continued exploring career paths, practicing essential readiness skills, and reflecting on what matters most to them and their futures. From interacting with young children to touring major tech companies and operating industrial robots, week two was all about connecting curiosity with opportunity.
Design Thinking in Action
This week, students began working on their Community Design Challenge, a summer-long project developed in partnership with BUILD.org.
Students were introduced to the design thinking process—including the five steps: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test—and began applying these principles to a real-world challenge provided by their client: Sustainable Pittsburgh.
To better understand the client’s mission and needs, students heard from Bhavani Patel, Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh. She shared the organization’s goals, the importance of sustainability in local communities, and some of the current challenges they face, setting the stage for the work students will do in the coming weeks.
Campus Visits to Explore Life as a Penn Stater
As part of their journey to discover what’s possible after high school, students from both Pittsburgh and Central PA had the chance to experience college life at Penn State. These campus visits gave learners a closer look at the environments, academic opportunities, and communities that make up the broader Penn State system.
In Pittsburgh, students toured Penn State Greater Allegheny, where they were welcomed by Lion Ambassadors who shared their own campus experiences and answered questions about student life, academics, and opportunities at a smaller Penn State location. They also heard from Lindale Smith, Associate Director of Enrollment Management, about pathways to admission and what makes Greater Allegheny a close-knit, supportive environment for students pursuing a wide range of majors.
In Central PA, students visited Penn State Altoona, where they explored the campus and facilities, including a tour of the engineering labs featuring CNC machines and advanced tools. Students heard directly from staff and students about different majors and activities, and about how Penn State Altoona helps prepare learners for the workforce.
“I had fun touring the campus with my friends.”
– Maddie
“It’s pretty amazing that the job placement for engineering students [at Penn State Altoona] is always close to 100%.”
– Lily
“Visiting the Penn State Greater Allegheny campus in Pittsburgh made me realize that Penn State accommodates and has campuses of all sizes. The small nature of the Greater Allegheny campus made it feel more comfortable and at home.”
– Medha
These visits helped Summer Discovery students see the many ways Penn State campuses can fit different learning styles, interests, and goals, and gave them a glimpse into the vibrant community they could one day be a part of.
Robotics, Real-World Tech, and the Power of Collaboration
In Pittsburgh, students spent the week immersed in the evolving world of technology and the many ways it intersects with daily life, career pathways, and community readiness.
The on-site sessions kicked off with longtime favorite guest speaker, Mike Zula from Partnership to Advance Responsible Technology (P.A.R.T.). Mike encouraged students to think critically about the role of technology in our world and how it can be developed and used responsibly. He also helped students reflect on their own strengths and interests and ways they could translate hobbies and passions into meaningful career paths.
Students also welcomed Lelia Broughton from the Pittsburgh Technology Council and John and Jean Lange from Academy Pittsburgh for a dynamic workshop. They explored career options in the tech sector and learned about programs, like Apprenti, that offer real-world training and opportunities in fields like software development and cybersecurity. Students even used generative AI tools to create their own designs—including a T-shirt for the Bagel Eagles and Phoenix Sharks (maybe the unofficial Summer Discovery mascots?).
“I thought it was really interesting, and it would be a great opportunity if I were to go into the tech field.”
– Sophia
Field Trip Highlights in Pittsburgh
Duolingo – Students toured the language learning company’s vibrant headquarters and heard from a panel of interns about product design and tech careers.
“Duolingo showed me that there is more to a job than just the work. The culture and values are a big part of a company.”
– Nora
“One of the things I learned was how many people are involved in this process and how many different steps it takes to push out a product for any type of company. You have to work with people from other departments in order to push out a product.”
– Tejas
East Liberty Library – Students signed up for library cards and learned about RAD Pass, a program that offers free admission to cultural institutions across Pittsburgh.
“RAD showed me how important it is to give opportunities to Pittsburgh’s youth in order to get to know our city.”
– Marley
Digital Foundry – This field trip brought technology to life. Students saw real industrial robots in action, operated machines, and explored the history of technological revolutions.
“I loved learning about the careers and the different things that they do at Digital Foundry. I’m in a robotics program, so I know what robots can do. But I had never seen them in the field before like we did at Digital Foundry.”
– Kaylee
“I learned that FANUC, one of the robotic companies that sells these machines, is located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan!”
– Vamshi
Google Pittsburgh – A visit to Google included an “Intro to AI with Gemini” workshop and a panel discussion with employees about their roles and experiences in the tech world.
“Visiting the Pittsburgh Google office was truly an engaging experience as we got to tour the office and its amenities, learn about AI including Gemini and NotebookLM, as well as interact with a panel of software engineers.”
– Medha
Education, Wellness, and Community Connection
In Altoona and Johnstown, students leaned into career paths focused on people—especially children. Week two emphasized early childhood education, counseling, and the emotional intelligence required to thrive in those fields.
On-site students welcomed a presentation from Julie Della from IU8, who spoke about early childhood intervention and the support systems that help young learners thrive. She gave students a look into the behind-the-scenes work that happens in schools and homes to support child development, as well as the wide range of roles available in educational support services.
Students also heard from the team at LaRocco Counseling, who shared insights into mental health careers and the many ways counselors support individuals through life’s challenges.
Another engaging session came from R.E.A.C.H. Counseling, who facilitated an interactive mental wellness workshop. Students rotated through various stations that combined self-reflection with playful learning—molding play-doh, card games, and other creative exercises. The experience encouraged students to consider not only how they care for others, but how they care for themselves.
Off-Site Highlights in Central PA
PA CareerLink – Students learned about job training and career entry points for high school grads.
“CareerLink offers a lot of opportunities for students leaving high school to enter the workforce that a lot of people don’t know about.”
– Braydon
Harbor House Preschool – A favorite trip for many! Students read to and played with toddlers, gaining real experience in early childhood education.
“I was amazed at how much fun I had with little kids. Reading to them was a lot of fun and they were a lot more advanced in their own reading skills then I would have thought. That was my favorite trip so far.”
– Braydon
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown – Students explored campus life and academic resources on a guided tour.
Learning Lamp – Provided another opportunity to engage with young children and observe educators in action.
Community Arts of Cambria County – Students used clay to make chia pets and learned about creative careers in community arts and nonprofits.
Looking Ahead
Week two brought new environments, new voices, and new insights. Whether they were building robots, playing with toddlers, or brainstorming solutions for sustainability, students kept showing up with purpose and open minds.
Next week, they’ll have even more opportunities to learn and lead. Students will build on their design challenge work, give back through local days of service, and continue exploring future career paths through hands-on workshops, field trips, and community connections.
Photo Albums
Pittsburgh Photo Gallery
Central PA Photo Gallery
