Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education And Youth Outreach topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Classroom programs and student challenges aim to reach 50,000 students and train future civic leaders
Summary
Teachers, students and commission interns described the Keystone Classroom initiative and the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge as key education and workforce pipelines tied to America 2 50 PA; the Dennis Farm example illustrated inclusive local history programming.
Teachers, students and former interns described education programs that the commission says are already reaching tens of thousands of Pennsylvania children and young adults.
Laura Sasek, a second‑grade teacher in Scranton, told the committee that the Keystone Classroom initiative (KCI) brings age‑appropriate reenactments, storytellers and mascots into pre‑K through fourth‑grade classrooms. "Our learners went wild for the mascots and the swag bag," she said, describing the Isaac Tripp Elementary School visit and noting KCI has reached more than 30,000 students and is on track to reach 50,000 by year’s end.
Claire Chi and Andre Castillo described how student internships and the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge (DEIC) connect college students and recent graduates to careers in cultural programming and engagement. Castillo said the DEIC experience led to an internship and later a paid role as engagement volunteer coordinator at America 2 50 PA.
Denise Dennis, representing the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust, described how the farm — a multi‑generation property owned by free African Americans since the late 18th century and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — was honored as the first recipient of a semi‑quincentennial bell. The bell, Dennis said, increased visitation and academic partnerships; she described artifacts from the farm now held by the Smithsonian and called the site a "living symbol of freedom and justice for all."
Ending: Education presenters said classroom and youth programming will be an enduring feature of the commemoration and urged continued funding and school‑district partnerships so the initiatives outlast the 2026 events.
