Pennsylvania Department of Education: PA Governor’s School for the Sciences preparing students for STEM careers

Pittsburgh, PA – Pennsylvania Department of Education Executive Deputy Secretary Dr. Debora Carrera today visited the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) to tour their facilities and advocate for continued investments in STEM education across the commonwealth.

“We know that Pennsylvania's school-aged students will graduate into a workforce that demands different skill sets, experiences, and knowledge than ever existed before, and PGSS helps prepare them for that future in an immersive, engaging way,” said Dr. Carrera. “Coupled with strategic investments in our schools, communities, and STEM ecosystems, these programs help position today's students to find meaningful, family-sustaining careers in the years to come.”

Continuing Gov. Tom Wolf's support for education across the commonwealth, his final budget proposes a $1.55 billion increase in basic education funding, including $200 million for special education. During the past seven years, Governor Wolf has secured an additional $1.8 billion in funding for pre-k through college, including more than $1.1 billion for basic education, $190 million for special education, and $40 million for career and technical education.

Additionally, during the past seven years, the Wolf Administration

has invested $116 million in STEM education and has secured $20 million annually for Pasmart. PDE has awarded 495 Pasmart grants to expand computer science and STEM education and teacher training at more than 765 schools across the commonwealth since the 201819 school year.

PGSS was established to provide a summer enrichment experience in the sciences and mathematics for talented Pennsylvania

high school students and to encourage them to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The program provides instruction in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, with emphasis on collaborative learning and team research.

The program is a five-week ungraded summer enrichment program through which participants live on the Carnegie Mellon

University campus in a college dormitory. Students take lecture courses, participate in laboratory courses, and engage in team research projects in one of the approved discipline areas. The students also can take elective courses and participate in field trips and a guest lecture series.

To enter the program, PGSS applicants must be Pennsylvania residents in their junior year of high school.