Photo submitted to the Times Observer Thanks to the Warren Forest Higher Education Council, seventh-graders from Warren County schools got a hands-on glimpse of college life at Penn State Behrend, tackling engineering challenges, coding keychains, and enjoying a taste of campus dining.

Thanks to the Warren Forest Higher Education Council, seventh-grade students from Beaty Warren Middle School, Youngsville Middle High School, and Eisenhower Middle High School recently got a hands-on look at college life during a visit to Penn State Behrend.

During their visit, students participated in engaging activities to introduce them to college-level learning. They tackled an engineering challenge to build the tallest tower out of sheets of paper and tape, capable of holding a can of soup at the top. They also explored binary code basics and applied their new skills to create personalized keychains. In addition to these hands-on lessons, students learned about the college experience and the admissions process.

The trips took place on Feb. 26 for Beaty Warren students and Feb. 28 for Youngsville and Eisenhower students. In addition to academics, students enjoyed a college-style buffet lunch, complete with a special treat — ice cream from the renowned Penn State Creamery.

This annual initiative offers Warren County School District students a valuable glimpse into higher education, sparking excitement about their futures. The Warren Forest Higher Education Council is working to extend this opportunity to Forest County schools next year, ensuring that even more students can benefit from this experience.

Earlier in the year, Sheffield’s seventh-graders participated in a similar visit to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, further broadening the reach of this initiative.

For more information about the Warren Forest Higher Education Council’s programs, please contact Angie Bigelow, Assistant Director/School to Work Coordinator at Warren Forest Higher Education.