Lou Lozzi, the leader of the math and science team at Paul Robeson High School, has partnered with Lori Flanagan-Cato, an associate professor of psychology at Penn, to create opportunities for urban Philadelphia students. Collaborative programs, such as Everyday Neuroscience, offer high schoolers unique educational experiences on Penn’s campus, with Penn students serving as mentors and educators. Lozzi hopes to replicate these programs and promote academic enrichment for students in underprivileged areas. He urges universities like Penn to invest in local schools and foster the growth of their own communities by allowing students to become the next generation of engineers and physicians. With declining academic performance in the Philadelphia School District, Lozzi’s innovative solutions provide a promising way forward for urban education.
Recalibrating STEM Education in High School
Lou Lozzi, a former corporate executive, chose to leave his career behind and pursue urban and multicultural education at Eastern University. After completing his Master’s in Education, Lozzi taught at charter schools for eight years before becoming the leader of the math and science team at Paul Robeson High School in West Philly.
Despite the school’s history of being slated for closure in 2013, it has received over 40 awards and recognition from Governor Wolf, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Paul Robeson High School was the most improved high school in Philadelphia in 2017.
Lozzi played a significant role in this remarkable achievement. More than 85% of students entering ninth grade at Paul Robeson High School are predicted to have below basic math and science skills. The student population, as reported by the school principal, comprises 100% of students living in poverty. Lozzi reflects on his own high school experience, stating that his sole job was to perform well academically, whereas the students at Robeson have many obstacles to overcome.
The collaboration between Lozzi and the Netter Center at Penn has been the foundation of the school’s growth. Currently, Lozzi is working on nine different collaborations, including Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) courses, Moelis Access Science, and STEM courses at Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center.
Collaborative Learning for Urban Philadelphia
Lou Lozzi, the leader of the math and science team at Paul Robeson High School in West Philly, collaborated with Lori Flanagan-Cato, an associate professor of psychology at Penn, to bring students to Penn for engaging educational activities. Through Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) courses, such as Everyday Neuroscience, Robeson high schoolers are given the opportunity to conduct lab experiments, engage in small group work, and review quiz games with Penn students. In Math 123, Penn students create and run lesson plans to help Robeson students prepare for Pennsylvania’s standardized tests. These classrooms have an equal number of Penn students and high school students, which Lozzi believes prevents distractions and allows for greater learning opportunities.
Lozzi aims to replicate these programs, but acknowledges that the involvement of Penn students is necessary for their continuation. For many high schoolers, these programs provide not only academic enrichment, but also new and exciting experiences. From product design in Tangen Hall to gene research in Leidy Labs, these collaborations offer unique opportunities outside of the typical classroom experience.
However, the limitations of the Robeson High School building make it difficult to host such programs on campus. Lozzi highlights the challenges faced by his school, such as having only two outlets in the biology lab and lacking air conditioning for years until recent community activism. The Philadelphia School District’s shortage of over $1 billion in funding further compounds these issues.
Despite these challenges, Lozzi continues to create learning opportunities for his students. In a district facing declining academic performance, his collaborative solutions have received national recognition and six years of data to support their success. Lozzi hopes to develop similar programs with other universities and schools, stating, “We found a real solution to what’s happening in urban Philadelphia in terms of education. It works.”
Building Up Urban Education
Lou Lozzi, the leader of the math and science team at Paul Robeson High School in West Philly, hopes to see a greater commitment from Penn towards urban education. As Penn expands into West Philadelphia, Lozzi is concerned that local schools may be torn down rather than built up. He urges schools like Penn, Drexel, and Temple to apply resources to the communities they occupy and allow students to become an integral part of their neighborhood’s growth. Lozzi hopes that local students can become the next generation of engineers and physicians, contributing to their communities and their own personal success.
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