ALTOONA, Pa. - The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Altoona LaunchBox Supported by the Hite family, the Altoona Area School District, and the Altoona Area School District Foundation teamed up recently to host the Innovation TestLab program at Penn State Altoona.

Innovation TestLab, a multi-week program for high school students, offers participants the opportunity to experience a college classroom setting while learning concepts such as customer discovery, research and feasibility studies, critical thinking, and presentation skills.

Thirteen Altoona Area High School students met at the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence every other Wednesday beginning in February. Teams focused on developing ideas to improve their experiences the high school. Under the direction of the Sheetz Center team, students were guided through a project-building and pitch presentation course.

The Innovation TestLab culminated on Wednesday, April 24, when students made final presentations to their peers and others, including judges from the foundation and Altoona School District administration.

A total of $10,000 was awarded to fund implementation of the student-generated ideas thanks to generous support from the Altoona Area School District Foundation.