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Altoona student recounts experience at Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences
Summary
A senior from Altoona described attending the five-week PGSS program at Carnegie Mellon, giving details about coursework, labs, research at Allegheny Observatory, and encouraging other students to apply.
The Altoona Area School District board on Oct. 20 recognized Melissa, a senior who attended the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS) at Carnegie Mellon University this summer.
Melissa told the board PGSS is a five-week residential program that admitted about 15% of applicants in her cohort; she described the program’s structure (five undergraduate STEM courses, lab work, electives and a team research project) and recounted conducting nighttime observations at the Allegheny Observatory. Her team presented a research paper at a final symposium. Melissa credited school advisers and teachers — including Junior Academy of Science co-advisor David Borst and adviser Megan Cutross — for her earlier research experience and encouraged other students to apply.
Board members and administrators congratulated Melissa and noted staff contributions in supporting student research opportunities. The board also paused for a photo to mark the recognition.
Source: Presentation during the Oct. 20, 2025 Altoona Area School District board meeting.
