STEAM Pathway
The Upper St Clair High School STEAM Pathway is an effort to encourage students to pursue a future career related to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. This program focuses on a balance between taking STEAM classes, engaging in career exploration opportunities, and participating in experiential learning.
All high school students are encouraged to take advantage of the STEAM Pathway opportunities. As the students reach various tiers of involvement, they will earn USC STEAM Badges to celebrate and promote their STEAM milestones. Starting with the class of 2026, if a student meets a milestone in each pathway category, their participation in the STEAM Pathway will be recognized on their transcript.
In addition to tracking student progress along the STEAM Pathway, Upper St Clair is committed to bringing more opportunities for career exploration and experiential learning both through district initiatives and by connecting students to third party opportunities.
|
Coursework |
Career |
Experience |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
EXPLORER |
EXPLORER |
EXPLORER |
STEAM Course Requirements
The USC STEAM courses, where a student earns a C grade or greater, will be recorded at the completion of a school year in their STEAM Pathway Profile. To participate in the STEAM Pathway, students are required to take a minimum of the credits below.
|
Course Content Area |
Minimum Credits |
|---|---|
|
Science |
6 |
The above table lists the minimum credits per STEAM category. By meeting these requirements, a student will be recognized in the STEAM Pathway at the introductory level milestone of “explorer.” The more courses taken, the higher the milestone achieved.
Students earn one credit for each semester of a course. Therefore, full year courses are worth two credits. Students attending Parkway West Career & Technology Center who are in a STEAM related program will earn 8 credits per school year that count towards their technology/engineering and arts credit requirements.
Students can learn more about included STEAM courses from the STEAM Pathway Course Checklist. Explanations of STEAM courses can be found in the USC High School Program of Studies.
STEAM Career Exploration
Learning about current STEAM careers is an important part of the STEAM Pathway. In order for students to determine their interest in STEAM careers, they not only need to be aware of what opportunities exist today, but the potential for yet to be developed careers in the future.
To be recognized in the STEAM Pathway at the introductory level milestone of “explorer” students must have participated in 40 hours of STEAM Career Exploration. Examples of what a career exploration event might look like are listed below.
EXAMPLES
- Speaking events featuring a company/organization or specific job
- Job shadow
- Attend a STEAM conference
- USC Lunch & Learn Series - STEAM related speakers during lunch
- Field trips to various companies and events
To help find career exploration opportunities, visit the USC STEAM Database that is updated regularly.
When a student participates in a career exploration event, they must report their event and participation details using the STEAM Experience Reporting Form. It is required that students have a supervising adult verify their participation using the STEAM Pathway Verification Form.
If a student receives a certificate of completion that includes event information, including hours, this can be uploaded as well. It is the student’s responsibility to upload this completed document when they submit the STEAM Experience Reporting Form. Career exploration activities will not count towards the STEAM Pathway without proper verification.
STEAM Experiential Learning
STEAM Experiential Learning takes place when a student is actively participating in a STEAM related activity. Students are no longer observing, but learning by doing through unique experiences.
To be recognized in the STEAM Pathway at the introductory level milestone of “explorer” students must have participated in 40 hours of STEAM Experiential Learning. Examples of what an experiential learning event might look like are listed below.
- Problem solving event
- STEAM related competition
- Organize & deliver STEAM outreach
- Hands-on design/build opportunity
- Internship
- Apprenticeship/Pre-Apprenticeship
- STEAM related workshop
To help find experiential learning opportunities, visit the USC STEAM Database that is updated regularly.
When a student participates in an experiential learning event, they must report their event and participation details using the STEAM Experience Reporting Form. It is required that students have a supervising adult verify their participation using the STEAM Pathway Verification Form.
If a student receives a certificate of completion that includes event information, including hours, this can be uploaded as well. It is the student’s responsibility to upload this completed document when they submit the STEAM Experience Reporting Form. Experiential learning activities will not count towards the STEAM Pathway without proper verification.