Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Executive Deputy Secretary Dr. Debora Carrer visited and toured facilities at the Pennsylvania Governor School of Sciences (PGSS). According to a PDE press release, Carerra advocated for investments in STEM education for residents 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.”
According to PDE, the final budget proposal for education in Pennsylvania is a $1.55 billion increase in basic-education funding, with an additional $200 million for special education. There has been an accumulated $1.8 billion funded youths between pre-K and college, as well as more than $1.1 billion for education, $190 million for special education, and $40 million respectively for career and technical education, for post-highschool learning over the last seven years.
STEM education has also received $116 million in investments, with $20 million annually secured for PAsmart according to PDE over the past seven years. PDE awarded 495 PAsmart grants expanding computer science, STEM education, and teacher training covering 765 schools since the 2018-2019 school year. PGSS provides science and mathematics during the summer for the most talented high school students in Pennsylvania, encouraging them to seek science, technology, engineering, or mathematics careers. The program includes biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, and collaborating as a team.
The PGSS is a five-week summer program in which participants reside in the Carnegie Mellon University campus dormitories. The students will take lecture courses, laboratory courses, and team research projects in their most-suited STEM field. Additionally, they can take elective courses, participate in field trips and experience a guest lecture series. PGSS applicants must be Pennsylvania residents in their junior year of high school to be able to apply.
For additional information regarding these programs and applications:
Pennsylvania Department of Education Website
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