DUNMORE, Pa. — Emily Pinto, a Penn State Scranton human development and family studies (HDFS) alumna, during her time at the University transitioned from Penn State University Park to Penn State Scranton. Pinto said she valued the discussion-based lecture formats and personalized attention of the small classes at the Scranton campus.
“I chose to come to Penn State Scranton for my HDFS degree because of the program’s experienced faculty and access to resources," Pinto said.
Finding passion and opening a business
These resources helped Pinto find her passion and open her business, Steam Town Studio, a creative studio that offers art, science and sensory opportunities designed to pique curiosity and nurture creativity through play and process.
“My HDFS degree helped me in opening my business because it provided me with the knowledge and tools to create a long-lasting impact on children’s development and our community,” she said. “It’s vital to understand that in early learning programs, you’re not just working with children; you're also working with the families. Therefore, part of my work has always involved building rapport with the families in my community. My studio benefits the community by advocating for our young artists and inventors by providing a space where children’s creativity and innovative thinking are nourished.”
Interdisciplinary approach to child development
The interdisciplinary aspects of the HDFS program at Scranton also helped prepare Pinto for business ownership. She emphasized the importance of integrating knowledge from various fields to create a holistic approach to child development.
“The interdisciplinary aspects of my HDFS degree provided me with the groundwork to design classes and workshops that are developmentally appropriate and culturally inclusive,” she said. “By integrating knowledge from child development and psychology, I can create an engaging and supportive environment that caters to children’s emotional, cognitive and social needs.”
Faculty support and community impact
“It is great to see Emily following her passion to help children in our community grow through the arts. Our faculty and students are so proud to see creative, talented leaders, like Emily, doing great things in our community after finishing the Human Development and Family Studies degree at our campus,” said Associate Professor of HDFS Ray Petren. “Her path is a prime example of how students marry their personal passions with the foundational knowledge and skills learned in our program to find their niche to help people in a variety of ways. Having worked closely with Emily, I have no doubt she will make the Steam Town Studio a place of wonder, inspiration and thriving for all children.”
STEAM-based learning opportunities
Steam Town Studio offers classes, workshops and camps for children that encourage meaningful STEAM-based play, exploration and discovery. The studio’s programs are designed to help children create new worlds, model their community, hypothesize, experiment and discover.
“Through these classes and workshops, children can create new worlds, model our community, hypothesize, experiment and discover,” Pinto said. “The studio enables children to construct a deeper understanding of the world and their evolving identities.”
Advice for HDFS students and aspiring business owners
Pinto emphasized the importance of mixing passion and dedication and shared valuable advice for HDFS students contemplating business ownership.
“If they feel it in their heart and soul, they should go for it, because it will go so far,” she said. “What is most important is making sure you're passionate about what you're doing and that it fills your cup.”