Students winners in Governor’s STEM Competition

The Pennsylvania Department of Education this week announced the winners of the ninth annual Governor’s STEM Competition. During the school year, teams of students designed and built solutions to real-world problems. Teams were required to work with a member of their local community, a business, or an educational entity to help create an authentic experience while also providing opportunities to learn more about careers in STEM.

“This annual competition highlights the incredible work Pennsylvania’s students and educators are doing in STEM in schools across the commonwealth,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “STEM education bridges the gap between today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce and provides them with the critical skills they’ll need for the careers of the future.”

This year, all 54 participating teams moved directly to the state level of the Governor’s STEM Competition, bypassing regional competitions. This process, the same as last year, was implemented to help maximize participation and support each team. Teams were split into two divisions: Division 1, which included teams with a majority of returning members; and Division 2, which included teams with a majority of new members.

“The Pennsylvania Department of Education applauds this year’s STEM Competition winners and appreciates all of the teams that participated,” said Acting Secretary of Education Eric Hagarty. “Pennsylvania has long been seen as a national leader in STEM, and the projects entered into this year’s contest show just how talented and knowledgeable our commonwealth’s students are, no matter which school district they call home.”

The winners of the 2022 Governor’s STEM competition are:

Division 1

• Grand Champion: Bishop Shanahan High School

• First Runner Up: Fox Chapel Area High School

• Second Runner Up: Conestoga High School

• Third Runner up: Wyoming Area Secondary Center

Division 2

• Grand Champion: Downingtown STEM Academy

• First Runner Up: Haverford High School

• Second Runner Up: The Technical College High School at Pennock’s Bridge

• Third Runner Up: Lower Dauphin High School

During the past seven years, the Wolf Administration has secured $40 million for career and technical education and has invested $116 million in STEM education.

Since 2018, the governor has secured $20 million annually for PAsmart, which expands STEM and computer science education to learners of all ages. Targeted and Advancing PAsmart grants support high-quality STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities to communities across Pennsylvania, including within early learning centers, libraries, out-of-school time providers, career and technical education centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools. PDE has awarded 438 PAsmart grants since the 2018-19 school year.