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Learning outside of the classroom

Students in the Utica Shale Academy have been gaining knowledge outside the classroom, including at the Ascent Resources well pad near Piedmont in Harrison County. Pictured are Taylor Cunningham, Drake Cunningham, Chloe Sorgeman, Takoda Kirkpatrick, Zach Robinson-Hunley, Travis Gruber, Brandy Lemasters, Cody Little, Joe Matheson, Faith Dickson, Jesse Dustin, Pachience Smith and USA Director Eric Sampson. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE — students at Utica Shale Academy have been gaining knowledge outside the classroom with a variety of field trips to schools and energy companies.

Director Eric Sampson said his students have visited colleges and other sites throughout the region to learn what opportunities are available to them after they graduate high school.

“We went to Zane State College in September, Stark State in October and the Ascent [Resources] well pad in November,” Sampson said, adding that about 15 students also had a chance to attend the NFL Football Hall of Fame in Canton. “We went to Zane State and Stark State to see their programs and let the students see what college is like just to give them an idea of what other opportunities exist as opposed to going into the workforce [after graduation].”

Both colleges have one- and two-year oil and gas programs, he said,  adding the visits allowed students to gain some insight and possibly build interest in furthering their education. Additionally, a group also made a stop at the well pad in Harrison County to view the rig.

Sampson noted the trip to the Hall of Fame was part of a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports reward, with Southern Local High School students, and included a tour and program with former NFL athlete Andre Reed on integrity and morals.

“We thought it was a great experience for students to go and see something they’ve never seen and hear from a Hall of Famer on character,” Sampson said.

More events were being slated around January and February, including classroom lectures, including Brian Logue of Express Energy; a visit to a fracking site with Ascent Resources officials; and certifications covering hydrogen sulfide (H2S) monitoring, confined space, and First Aid/CPR. Sampson said those sessions were being led by Amanda Greathouse, an oil and gas expert with Safety Pro Training and Consulting.

Now in its third year, USA has roughly 60 pupils enrolled for the 2016-17 school year between the main location at Southern Local High School and the satellite site at Columbiana High School.

Sponsored by the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, USA offers flexible scheduling to students in grades 9-12 who live across Ohio with curricula required by the Ohio Department of Education, as well as PetroEd industry certification courses. For more information, contact Sampson at 330-420-5353 or through the website at uticashaleschool.com.

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