Department of Education to award up to $10M for state STEM programs

The Pennsylvania Department of Education will award up to $10 million in PAsmart Advancing grants to prepare students for computer science (CS) and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers.

The grants support CS learning, STEM, and professional development opportunities. This includes opportunities provided by K-12 schools, postsecondary institutions, career and technical education centers, out-of-school time providers, early learning centers, and libraries.

The purpose is to expand the pool of CS/STEM educators at all levels of education, expand CS/STEM opportunities to historically underserved populations, expand STEM ecosystems, and grow partnerships between Local Education Agencies, postsecondary institutions, and businesses.

“PAsmart is strategically investing in science and technology education, so students get the skills they need for the workforce,” state Secretary of Education Dr. Noe Ortega said. “These grants encourage partnerships between schools and businesses to focus on the skills students will need in rapidly growing tech industries.”

Recipients will be awarded up to $500,000 to support cross-sector partnerships that provide quality CS and STEM experiences as part of high-level strategic approaches to workforce readiness. The programs can be for early childhood education through adult learners.

Grant applications must be submitted by March 21.

PAsmart has distributed nearly $60 million statewide since it launched in 2018.