Shaler Area High School students got a first-hand look at how a former steel property is being leveraged for the energy needs of the future. 51 Bridge Street in Etna formerly housed manufacturing plant for pipes used in steel mills. The building was acquired by AM Group and is now being leased to Westinghouse for a technology accelerator focused on the eVinci microreactor, a transportable nuclear battery.

Matthew Cypher, Professor at Georgetown University and Partner at the AM Group, addressed students from Ms. Nilson and Ms. Leung’s science classes in a classroom lecture and then was joined by Westinghouse’s John Kostelnik, who led students on a tour of 51 Bridge Street. The building, which had stood vacant for decades, is now a polished multi-use office and manufacturing facility. Cypher expressed, “I am involved in real estate because it makes a difference. It can enhance life for a community and the people who live there. There’s nothing more satisfying to me to take something that was a blight and to honor the tradition of the work that went on in that facility.”

SAHS junior Christian Mendoza enjoyed the glimpse into redevelopment happening in the school district. Mendoza shared, “It was interesting to see the sustainable aspect of the building. It’s nice to see in Etna how they are looking to implement very sustainable options.”