BCIU hosts Pennsylvania Governor’s STEM Competition 2017

Academic contest for high school students focuses on exposing students to STEM concepts, skills, and occupations

The Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) will host the annual Pennsylvania Governor’s STEM Competition at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Boulevard, Reading, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 7:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The Governor’s STEM Competition is a rotatingthemed, academic contest for students in grades 9-12 that is focused on exposing students to STEM concepts, skills, and occupations. This year’s theme is “Making Our Lives Better Through STEM.” The purpose for the competition is to increase STEM-related educational opportunities for students at the regional and state levels. Furthermore, the PA STEM Competition intends to raise awareness of the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

According to www.pastemcompetition.com, Pennsylvania is home to some of the most technologically diverse and scientifically sophisticated companies in the world. With these avenues for STEM employment existing in our communities, it is important that our students have an understanding of the concepts and skills that will be invaluable in moving citizens into these high value occupations. As such, the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Governor Tom Wolf are proud to present an annual themed competition focused on exposing students to these jobs, skills, and concepts. This year’s competition, “Making Our Lives Better Through STEM”, will feature teams of students from across the commonwealth challenged to research, present and design a device or project that is capable of making the quality of life better for citizens of Pennsylvania. High school teams will be provided a $500 stipend to design and build a prototype of their device that can accomplish a series of practical tasks that can be translated into real life needs.

Students will engage with their local communities to learn about STEMrelated careers and the skills necessary to be successful. To culminate the experience, students will be asked to present their findings and explain the practical applications of their device to a panel of judges. The challenge will test teams’ communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills while providing a unique opportunity to share their creativity with students from across the state.

Approximately 170 teams (limit one team per high school) are expected to participate.

To register or for more information, visit www.pastemcompetition.com.