Tiny home project is highlight of application

Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) principal John Trovato is quick to point out where he thinks credit is due for the STEM School of the Year for 2022-23 award that was bestowed on the school in a May 18 ceremony. "Rob Dorsheimer is the lead facilitator of the team, and Rob King and Josiah Moon oversee our C.O.R.E. (Career Occupation Relevancy Education) Academy," said Trovato. "They are outstanding, and they are the ones who do all the work." C.O.R.E. teaches skill development while also offering integrated academic instruction.

The STEM School of the Year award for the Lancaster-Lebanon IU13 is given by the IU and the Lancaster County STEM Alliance (LCSA). "The STEM awards are highly competitive," said Lauren Beal, associate program director for educational partnerships and executive director of the Lancaster County STEM Alliance for the Lancaster-Lebanon IU13. "We have a thorough rubric we use, and (the application) is evaluated blindly by reviewers from IU13 and LCSA," she explained.

According to Trovato, the application was submitted in March. "The application process involved having to detail steps the program has taken in recent years to integrate STEM into the curriculum," he explained, noting that a number of seventh- and eighth-graders are taking STEM classes at PVHS. "This is the fourth year of C.O.R.E., and we are very happy it has received recognition," Trovato said, noting that the first cohort of C.O.R.E. freshmen are now seniors.

Another focus of the application was the tiny home that Moon's ninth-grade class has been working on. The class recently completed handmade hard maple cabinets for the kitchen. "We got a trailer, and we built it from the trailer up," said Dorsheimer, who noted that the plan is to sell the home when it is completed.

"Two years ago, the kids had the opportunity to design the tiny home, and we picked the best (design)," said Moon. "(The tiny home) has a lot of character. The ninth-grade class has put a lot of heart and effort into it." The home has two loft beds, a living room area, and a bathroom.

"It is solar powered," shared King, who noted that a few appliances will require electricity. "The AC and the range are 220 volts, but the rest will run off the solar panel," he said.

King said that receiving the award gives the teachers a sense of pride and validation. "It gives value to what we're doing," he said. "The recognition tells us we are on the right track." Another sign of accomplishment is watching students from C.O.R.E. going out into the world. "One student is currently going to Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology for architectural design. Another received an apprenticeship through Lapp Electric and will take part in their journeyman program," noted King, who added that a third will be working in roofing.

C.O.R.E. is funded through the donations of Clark Industries through the Pequea Valley Education Foundation. "Without Clark's support, we couldn't be doing anything near what we are doing right now," said King.