The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that registrations are now being accepted for the virtual 2021 Governor’s STEM Competition. All commonwealth public and non-public high schools, career and technical centers, charter schools, and home-schooled students are invited to participate.
“Over the course of this administration, Pennsylvania has grown its STEM ecosystem exponentially through targeted investments in students, teachers, curriculum and real-world experiences,” said PDE Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega. “The Governor’s STEM Competition provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students to network, learn new skills, and apply science to solve a real problem that’s affecting their communities – things that will ultimately make them more well-rounded and knowledgeable as they embark on the next step in their educational journey.”
Registration for the virtual competition is currently open for teams of five students in grades 9-12. A team advisor must complete the registration form for all students participating in the competition by Nov. 19.
The Governor’s STEM Competition requires student teams to research, design and present a device or project that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanians. Teams must collaborate with a local member of their community or a business and industry partner to help identify a challenge faced by Pennsylvanians along with a solution to that challenge.
The Governor’s STEM Competition will provide teams with:
– An authentic experience that applies skills learned in and outside the classroom
– Opportunities to learn new skills or refine existing skills desired for careers in STEM
– An opportunity to explore career pathways
During the 2021-22 school year, all registered teams will advance to the virtual state competition in April 2022. Dates and competition information can be found here. Questions can be directed to local intermediate units or by emailing [email protected].