Project Ignite Sparks a Fire for the Future
By Miss Kylie LaSota , Coordinator of Instructional Technology and Innovation
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Special Education
Creating , designing , and analyzing at Carnegie Mellon University have become the new normal for two Brentwood High School students , who are participants in the University ’ s extracurricular program , Project Ignite . Representing Brentwood High School , Ian Kunesky ( a junior ) and Julianna Winkowski ( a sophomore ) have been selected to participate in ongoing , collaborative , hands-on projects that develop critical thinking and problem solving abilities at the University . The program , which meets on Sunday afternoons in January through April , provides a valuable opportunity for diverse high school students from Pittsburgh area schools to work together on interdisciplinary projects related to STEAM ( Science , Technology , Engineering , Art , and Math ).
Winkowski ’ s project team is creating a photography application through which she is learning valuable coding , software , and design skills . Winkowski has contributed to Brentwood Borough ’ s yearbook for the last two years , and notes that she developed an interest in design when she took technical drawing in seventh grade . “ It is cool to see how it all comes together ,” she reflects .
Kunesky works with five other students on robots in a “ follow the leader ” project through which he builds and programs a robot that can follow another robot based on specified characteristics . These types of robots have had direct applications in hospital settings . “ I think my project is something that people know the concept of , but they don ’ t know how it works . I ’ ve always strived to understand how things work ,” Kunesky notes . He says that his team is more focused on the programming side and that he felt confident joining Project Ignite because Brentwood has helped prepare his problem solving and analysis skills . “ These skills are not just pushed in engineering but in Mr . Solomon ’ s history class , for example . The teachers show us how analytical skills will apply in every situation .”
Both Winkowski ’ s and Kunesky ’ s teams consist of students from other local high schools , including Pittsburgh Public ’ s Taylor Allderice and Science and Technology Academy , Mt Lebanon , and Upper St Clair . Each project team is led by project advisors composed of Carnegie Mellon students whose studies include mechanical engineering , neuroscience , music technology , decision science , computer science , architecture , physics , public policy , mathematics , information systems , and musical performance . With
In February , the Board of School Directors hired Dr . Christine Winiarski as the new Director of Special Education . Dr . Winiarski earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate in School Psychology and Educational Administration from the University of Pittsburgh . In addition , she also possesses her certifications in School Psychology and Supervision of Pupil Personnel . With over 24 years of experience , Dr . Winiarski brings extensive knowledge of special education law . We are excited to have her join our team .
TECHNOLOGY
a mission to expose students to subject areas they would otherwise be unable to explore , Project Ignite ’ s unique organizational structure also affords participants to gain valuable insights about college life . “ I enjoy working with people who are actually in college and seeing what college is like ,” Winkowski mentions . “ It ’ s great to get direct feedback from them about Carnegie Mellon University and their major in particular ,” Kunesky adds . He goes on to say how much he appreciates his project advisors , “ They are accepting and understanding of our knowledge and are willing to catch us up to speed , which makes them very helpful .”
Kunseky and Winkowski have an inclination of what they would like to study in college – Winkowski is contemplating web design or engineering . “ I ’ m not sure yet ,” she says , “ but this could help at least eliminate some options .” Kunesky remarks , “ I ’ m really into engineering . This is very much helping to expand my knowledge on software development , coding , and problem solving .” Both believe their Project Ignite experience is giving them new technical and soft skills . Kunesky acknowledges , “ It ’ s opening my eyes to see what the real world will be like working with other people from different walks of life .”
Top performing University students in world class programs are igniting new passions , questions , and ideas , and strengthening the foundations from which both Kunesky and Winkowski will emerge into post-secondary careers in an ever-evolving world . Brentwood High School is proud of these students and their accomplishments at Carnegie Mellon University . rentwood Borough
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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