STEM Information

The Computer Science Club provides an environment for students interested in the field of computer science to further explore their knowledge with peers at McDowell. Annual projects completed by the Computer Science Club are designed to better the community and grow members' knowledge of computer science.

Contact Mr. Palmer (MHS): palmer@mtsd.org

Air Force Association's (AFA) Cyber Patriot is the nation's premier youth cyber education program, featuring the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition. The competition is open to all high schools and middle schools in the nation, as well as all JROTS units, Civil Air Patrol or cadet squadrons, and Naval Sea Cadets Corps units.

Students learn the importance of cybersecurity and skills that can be valuable in cyber careers. Registration of teams occurs in early October and online rounds occur through the winter months. The National Finals Competition occurs in Washington D.C. in March. If teams do not qualify for the national level, then they compete at  state and regional recognition rounds.

Contact Chief Holmes (MIHS): holmes@mtsd.org

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics is a varsity sport for the mind. The competition combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team "brand", hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It's as close to "real-world engineering" as a student can get! Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

Contact Mr. Bucholtz (MHS): bucholtz@mtsd.org

The Garden Club will continue to develop and maintain the flower garden outside the Little Theatre, focusing on pollinator plants. We will meet to plan and to work in the greenhouse planting seeds and propagating plants during the colder months. There will be opportunities to complete service hours after school and during the summer to maintain the garden. Students may choose to attend tutorial meetings, after school work sessions, or both!

Contact Mrs. Taylor (MIHS): taylor@mtsd.org

McDowell Manufacturing is a program developed between a collaborative partnership between the Millcreek Township School District and the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NWIRC).

The program enables qualifying students at McDowell High School the opportunity to participate in a manufacturing enterprise that is making actual parts, delivering services and adding value as part of the supply chain for local manufacturers.

Visit the Manufacturing page: McDowell Manufacturing Lab - McDowell High School (mtsd.org)

Contact Mr. Bucholtz (MHS): bucholtz@mtsd.org

This club is for students that enjoy doing math and want to look at the history of mathematicians, higher level math problems and how they relate to what we do in math class, math activities for all levels (K-12), and math competitions.

Contact Ms. Testa (MHS): testa@mtsd.org

Through PJAS (Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science), students research a science topic, design an experiment, and analyze the results. They then present their results at a regional competition at Penn State Behrend in March. They may move onto the state competition in May. Students must sign up in September to register on time!

Contact Mrs. A. Halmi (MIHS): ahalmi@mtsd.org

TEAMS (Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science) is an annual competition for high school students designed to help them discover their potential for engineering. During this one-day competition, students apply math and science knowledge in practical, creative ways to solve real-world engineering challenges.

Contact Mr. Bucholtz (MHS): bucholtz@mtsd.org

USAD (United States Academic Decathlon) was formerly known as ASL and is the country's premier academic competition. USAD competitions test students knowledge of the information found in economics, art, music, language and literature, math, science, and social science research packets with a common theme. Each packet is over 150 pages. Each Decathlete spends hours looking over research, studying, creating personal study guides, playing review games, and finally competing against schools from across the state and country.

Contact Mr. Andrzejczak (MHS) andrzejczak@mtsd.org