Two students selected to participate in the Pittsburgh Penguins Tech Academy

Pens Tech Ninth Grade

Two ninth grade Seneca Valley students joined over 100 other students across western Pennsylvania for the Pittsburgh Penguins Tech Academy powered by CGI. Students were given the chance to acquire knowledge in sports and business technology from top experts in the field – the Pittsburgh Penguins and the global IT and business firm CGI.

Freshmen Jim Evans and Albert Pimenov were selected to participate in the Pittsburgh Penguins Tech Academy powered by CGI.

Festivities kicked off with a Welcome Event at PPG Paints Arena in January where attendees met one another and toured the facility. Students were split into groups throughout the Tech Academy where they listened to Pittsburgh Penguins and CGI professionals, rotated through multiple departments and received an immersive in-the-field technology experience. Stations included information on the technology used in Pittsburgh Penguins analytics and research, the control room, mobile ticketing, CRM, sports and exercise science, and more.

“The experience at Pens Tech was very informative and fun,” said Mr. Pimenov. “I was intrigued by the functions of the rink. I also enjoyed creating the video for our project. It was great to work with my teammates and with a certified instructor who helped us greatly. Overall, the experience was a 10/10 and I would love to go again.”

After the Tech Academy concluded, students were posed with a list of questions. Each group had one month to collaborate on their proposal with the chance to win prizes for themselves and their school, present their idea to a group of technology professionals at the Pittsburgh Penguins Sports and Technology Conference Powered by CGI and ultimately be named “CGI Pittsburgh Technologists of the Year.”

“My participation in the program inspired me to learn more about the real world,” said Mr. Evans. “The touring experience also sparked my interest in data science, whether it is in the sports world or in another field. The most intriguing aspect of the academy was how everything was built on teamwork. Whether it was working in student groups, the program administrators, or the Penguins organization, everything and everyone was a vital piece to the puzzle.”

Applications were open to all students in grades 9-12 in Pittsburgh’s surrounding counties: Allegheny, Butler, Washington, Beaver, Armstrong and Westmoreland.