Corning Supports P-TECH School | STEM Education | Community | Sustainability

Corning Incorporated is the driving force behind the development of the Greater Southern Tier STEM Academy, a regional six-year program designed to prepare the next generation for careers in advanced technical manufacturing, clean energy, information technology and health care.

Supported by 14 other Corning-area businesses and the Greater Southern Tier BOCES, the GST STEM Academy is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or P-TECH. The P-TECH experience brings together key components of a traditional high school, colligate-level coursework, professional “job shadowing”, and internships with Corning and other area businesses.

The GST STEM Academy allows participants to complete high school while focusing on one of four curriculum pathways – advanced technical manufacturing, health care, clean energy or information technology. Students who complete the program earn an associates’ degree from Corning Community College at no cost, or can continue towards earning a four-year degree. The goal is to prepare students with the skills necessary for success when they enter the workforce.

“We view this as a key aspect of our local and regional workforce development efforts,” said Chris Sharkey, vice president and director of Community Development for Corning Enterprises.

This program is a significant win for Corning which is continuing to build its sustainability platform. By “acting locally,” Corning was able to form a coalition of local business partners, which enables both students and the companies to benefit from their participation in an advanced STEM curriculum. This collaborative approach to developing a high-skilled local workforce, helps to further sustain the overall business base in this region of New York.

 “Quite simply, we’re doing the right things for the right reasons,” said Lisa Ferrero, senior vice president and Chief Operating Officer.

Corning’s support of the GST STEM Academy is also consistent with its diversity and inclusion objectives. The Academy brings together students from more than dozen area school districts into an environment which fosters collaboration, works with real-world applications, and utilizes non-traditional problem solving.

“These are the types of minds we want to encourage, cultivate and then bring to our organization,” Ferrero said.

Corning’s support for the GST STEM Academy also flows through employees who volunteer at the school as classroom mentors. "It's an informal setting, designed to show students why they should learn subjects like trigonometry and calculus," Chris said.

STEM Academy Principal Robert Sherburne said the partnership with Corning has been like a dream come true.

"Corning has really stepped in and created a supportive system for our students and staff," he said. "We have been able to rely on Corning employees in any circumstance. They are providing our students with opportunities they would not get otherwise."