One of Norwin High School’s most creative and involved classes is a CHS course titled the Young Engineers Program. The Young Engineers Program teaches students the key fundamentals of engineering, along with preparing them for future careers.
The course is taught by Mr. Robert Shuber, and primarily focuses on lessons outside of a classroom at Kennametal, a machinery manufacturing company, corporate offices, and a technology center in Latrobe. The Westmoreland County-based manufacturer was instrumental in getting this class adopted into Norwin High School’s curriculum in order to create opportunities in technical education for students.
The Young Engineers Program is open to all students in grades 11-12 who have earned at least a 60% in Algebra II, making it accessible for many students interested. The course can be taken as a College in High School (CHS) course, giving students a 10% GPA boost and allowing them to earn three credits from Saint Vincent College, if all course requirements are met.
The course is exclusively a first-term class, with many students in grades eleventh and twelfth electing to take it this fall semester. Primarily, these students are interested in future careers in engineering and manufacturing, but there are some who take the class simply for the diverse experience. The class strives to be as hands-on as possible, with many students gaining valuable skills while being in close contact with real-world professionals. Students of the Young Engineers program will participate in factory tours, witness detailed demonstrations, and listen to lectures from professional engineers in order to build their knowledge.
“I like that the class gets to travel to the corporate offices and Technology Center in Latrobe,” said Tech Ed teacher Mr. Robert Shuber. “While onsite, the students engage in immersive experiences with professional engineers.”
Shuber has been teaching the course since its inception in Norwin High School and teaches numerous other technology education classes.
Students go on field trips to Kennametal’s facility in Latrobe three times, for eight separate three-hour sessions lasting from noon until 3:00 pm. Students are responsible for finding their own transportation to and from the facility, meaning that those interested in taking the class must have a flexible schedule and reliable transportation. Despite that fact, many former students speak of the course very positively.
“I think what sparked my interest [in the course] was the fact that the Young Engineers course has an extremely different dynamic than any class I’ve had the opportunity of taking in the past, considering how hands-on the activities were,” said Norwin senior Selah Corbett. Corbett took the class during the first semester of the 2024-2025 school year and described it as an overall positive and highly educational experience.
With scheduling opening in the coming months for all students, the Young Engineers Program stands out as one of the most unique programs and courses in the school. 11th and 12th-grade students at Norwin High School are highly encouraged to take the course if they are pursuing a career in technology, manufacturing, or engineering.
