The Pioneer Valley Regional High School in Northfield is set to offer new courses in environmental and life sciences. This is thanks to a “Innovation Career Pathways” grant from the state. The school will get $75,000 in the first year and $50,000 for the next four years.
Starting in September, students can take technical and advanced courses. The school plans to use its large campus full of natural resources. This is to give students a real-life experience of these industries.
Scott Freniere, the school’s Dean of Students, said that many students are planning to attend college. These courses would give them useful skills. He also believes it will attract more families to the school district.
By fall, this program will be available in a quarter of all high schools in Massachusetts. They expect around 8,000 students to join the program.
At Pioneer, students can learn about environmental and life sciences. The school has launched a club for students interested in how to take care of the land. This fits with the school’s goal of getting students to spend more time outside learning.
Vocabulary List:
- Innovation (noun): The introduction of something new or different.
- Pathways (noun): A way or track laid down for walking or made by continual treading.
- Grant (noun): A sum of money given by a government or other organization for a particular purpose.
- Campus (noun): The grounds and buildings of a university or college.
- Industries (noun): Economic activity concerned with the processing of raw materials and manufacture of goods in factories.
- District (noun): An area of a country or cityespecially one regarded as a distinct unit because of a particular characteristic.
