The Pottstown School District and Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) are excited to announce the launch of Montco 360, an immersive STEM program for selected eighth-grade Pottstown Middle School students held on MCCC’s Pottstown Campus.

The innovative program will provide 18 students with hands-on learning experiences focused on science, technology, engineering, physics and math. Alongside meeting curriculum requirements, the program aims to develop students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, intrapersonal, interpersonal and other essential soft skills.

“This is a great opportunity to challenge students beyond what they would experience in a traditional classroom setting,” said William Lawless, House Principal at Pottstown Middle School Grade 8.

The students were selected, he said, based on their academic performance, attendance and overall motivation. The students will be expected to work together as teams and as independent thinkers.

“This is completely innovative,” said Andy Bachman, Pottstown math and engineering teacher, who will be teaching the program. “The students will need to be highly motivated and self-directed. I won’t be standing in front of the class lecturing the entire time. They will learn to approach assignments from a project mindset, asking questions and designing experiments.”

Montco 360 will start Aug. 19 when the school year begins, with participating students being transported in a new Pottstown School District van to MCCC. The students will be divided into two cohorts of nine students, with one group attending in the morning for two hours and the other in the afternoon. This schedule ensures that students can still attend their regular middle school classes and participate in extracurricular their activities such as band and athletics.

Working with MCCC, the school district customized the classroom on campus to provide sturdy work tables, tools, supplies and the technology needed for project creation.

“We are thrilled to see Montco 360 come to fruition after more than a year of planning,” said Ryan Oxenford, Pottstown School District Director of Curriculum and Educational Programs. “This program provides comprehensive experience that will not only inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers but equip them with the skills to succeed.”

“Montco 360 embodies MCCC’s commitment to education for learners at all ages and stages,” said Amy Auwaerter, MCCC Senior Director of the Pottstown Campus. “It will help build their confidence on a college campus and develop skills that will serve them well in their future academic and professional endeavors.”

A significant advantage of being on MCCC’s campus is that students will have access to the College’s state-of-the-art facilities, including missions at the Challenger Learning Center and use of the Science on a Sphere, a room-sized global display system that uses planetary data. They also will benefit from guest lectures by MCCC faculty and gain exposure to college programs such as Dual Enrollment and TRIO Upward Bound.

“As part of Montco 360, this group will participate in a pilot program with Crew Concept and the Drone Soccer Academy,” said Catherine Rauenzahn, MCCC Youth Engagement Program Manager. “Through this partnership, the students will learn how to build, program and fly drones in a competitive, fun soccer environment.”

The Pottstown School District and MCCC held an open house for parents, family and students on July 31. Attendees had the opportunity to tour South Hall, visit the classroom, learn more about the program, and meet with the program's planners and organizers.