Institute

Young minds thrive in fast times. Nowhere is that more evident than in today’s high-tech, knowledge-driven society. That is why the City of Erie school District, Mercyhurst College Institute for Intelligence Studies (MCIIS) and the Boys and Girls Club of Erie are developing programs in Intelligence Technology to empower area youth to reach their full potential by training a new generation of intelligence technologists.

The “Intelligence Technologist Initiative” (ITI), optimizes the youthful drive of students, who are fascinated by computers and interested in the world around them. Students take a series of hands-on courses intended to strengthen communication skills, Internet awareness, research methods, basic IT skills, intelligence studies concepts and teamwork.

The ITI is an outgrowth of another Mercyhurst College intelligence enterprise – the Great Lakes Intelligence Initiative (GLII) –, which seeks to bring the region’s public, private and service sectors together to create a thriving knowledge-driven society. The ITI builds an educational model that will ultimately equip students with the skills necessary to pursue rewarding careers and provide employees for dynamic new local enterprises.

The program currently exists on two levels. The first is at the middle school level to introduce seventh and eighth grade students to the field of intelligence studies.  Currently, the ITI offers the program at Jefferson Middle School, Harding Middle School, St. Gregory Elementary School, St. Luke Elementary School, and the Boys and Girls Club of Erie.

The second level is for high school students. This program is currently in development at Ere School District Central Tech High School.