Programs We Support
TV Studio Project
At the Abington Heights Middle School students broadcast live daily announcements using the TV Studio located in the library. Students write and produce news segments using TriCaster Studio with 19″ LCD interface, Weatherbug program, green screen technology and other modern technologies to produce a variety of programs.
Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind is a creative problem solving competition that includes students from kindergarten to twelfth grade. During the year, each team works on a long-term problem, where students learn to think divergently and creatively and to work as a team. All students were involved in brainstorming, designing, building, testing, redesigning, rebuilding and retesting their “solutions” to the problems.
Robotics Program
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics promotes interest in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Abington has competed in the “Recycle Round-Up”. The game requires teams to build a robot capable of lifting and stacking large rectangular totes, standard size recycling cans, and pool noodles (the litter). The team participated in two district competitions and advance to regionals.
Forensics Speech and Debate
Our team consists of 30-40 students who participate in approximately fifteen tournaments in three leagues. Students develop skills in research, analysis, critical thinking, teamwork and communications. Formats include Public Forum Debate, Oral Interpretation of Literature, Informative and Persuasive Speaking, Congressional Debate, and others. The team has garnered numerous awards at the local, regional, state and national level since it's start.
The Gathering
The Gathering is a 4 day literature conference held at Keystone College, LaPlume, Pennsylvania. It provides a transformative experience for participants from diverse backgrounds, celebrating literature. Students can explore their creative impulses, embrace individual expression and discover their capabilities. The literature arts coordinator of the Abington Heights School District has sent five select high school students to The Gathering for each of the past several years.
Science Olympiad
The Science Olympiad program provides hands-on experiences in 23 different events with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). Other areas of study include Environmental Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Technology, Forensics, Astronomy, and Robotics. Teams participate in two regional and two invitational tournaments, and have advanced to the State Tournament.
Science Olympiad
Behind the Scenes is an after school theater-based program that introduces students to a variety of staging challenges they must overcome through creative problem-solving, effective group communication and teamwork. They explore full-scale stage production and basis theater terminology. Standard theater equipment, funded in part by AEIO, helps train students to become a “technical theater specialist” or backstage crew for school productions.
Girls STEM Program
Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) holds competitions throughout the school year in Abington Heights and regional school districts. The program goal is to inspire girls to explore and become leaders in the areas of STEM and build STEM capacity through the enhancement of problem solving, analytical skills and team building events.
Music Technology Lab
The Abington Heights Middle School is home to a state-of-the-art Music Technology Lab. The objective of the Music Technology Lab (MTL) is to enhance the music curriculum through effective use of carefully chosen music education software and expanding interests in other areas such as theater, dance and visual arts. The music lab now consists of 17 workstations.
Health Fair
Our high school health fair is designed to inspire students to make healthy eating and positive lifestyle choices in a fun and engaging way. Through interactive booths, nutrition demonstrations, and hands-on activities, students learn how balanced meals, smart food choices, and daily habits can support their energy, focus, and overall well-being. The fair encourages everyone to take simple, practical steps toward a healthier life both in and out of school.
Clarks Summit Elementary Sensory Room
This room is utilized by students with learning differences and special needs including the Autistic Support and Life Skills classes. Access to the room is incorporated into the daily curriculum. The room offers a “Sensory Break” that allows students to decompress/regroup becoming more receptive to learning, making instruction more beneficial, preventing aggressive behaviors and increasing independence.
Space Shuttle Tire Mural Project
We began this extraordinary project in 2009 led by art teacher, Karen Taylor. The project involved the creation of a thematic mural designed around a main landing gear tire from the Space shuttle STS-flight 95, which was from John Glenn’s last mission on loan by NASA. The effort to create this mural involved 5th grade students at the Abington Heights Middle School who had been learning about space exploration and the fusion of art and science with the help of the visiting artist-in-residence, Nikki Moser.