Villanova Seeks High School Students for Engineering Program

As a Villanova electrical engineer (Class of 1982), the VESTED Acadamy is exciting for a few reasons. I started engineering school at a huge disadvantage because I knew nothing about the study or profession of engineering. I just knew that I was good at math and science and heard that engineering was a good major for those skills.

To get up to a four year head start as a high schooler in a university setting increases the chances of success immensely. 

What can we do to present this program to Chester High students and get a few of them up the Blue Route on Saturdays to experience this program?

The Villanova Engineering, Science, and Technology Enrichment and Development (VESTED) Academy is an intensive eight weekend long introduction to engineering experience for high school students entering grades 9^th-12^th. 

The program aims to encourage underrepresented students to explore the possibilities of an engineering education while developing the necessary skills to achieve their goals. The challenging curriculum exposes students to college level course work while strengthening each student’s technical literacy. 

The VESTED Academy is held on the campus of Villanova University in the College of Engineering which allows students immediate access to engineering laboratories and state of the art technological equipment. The program is held January through April on Saturdays and will run from 9am to 2:00 pm.  Lunch will be provided for all students and transportation will be available from designated pick-up locations within Philadelphia.

The program is unique because it allows students to gain knowledge on the new emerging technologies that are affecting today and tomorrow’s global economy.  

     The VESTED program is modeled in such a way that students will gain maximum exposure to the exciting field of engineering. The curriculum includes lectures by industry and university professionals, article reviews and varying learning experiences based on each student’s year in the program. Returning students, associates (2^nd year participants) and professionals (more than 2-year participants) will have the option to choose one of the following curriculum tracks.

They are: 

1. Lab Track- A program of lab focused engineering and science project-based work, utilizing experimentation and analyses. Results will be recorded in scientific notebooks.
2. Project Track- Long term study of real world engineering problems based on well defines objectives, scientific analyses and demonstrations.

     While only returning students may take advantage of the curriculum tracks, all students will receive a foundation in the necessary skills to be successful in college and beyond. These skills include time management, working in teams, discovering your learning style and following detailed instructions, among others.

         We are proud to be able to offer this unique opportunity to high school students in the Philadelphia Tri-State area. 

Your assistance in referring interested students is very much appreciated.  Application materials can be obtained by contacting Mrs. Coleman, at (610) 519-4074, or linda.coleman@villanova.edu (please put “VESTED” in the subject line).