On October 22, 2021, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Noe Ortega announced that applications are open for the 2022 Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS) at Carnegie Mellon University and encouraged eligible students to apply. 

“The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences is a great opportunity for students interested in strengthening their STEM skills, networking, and preparing for a meaningful postsecondary experience,” said Secretary Ortega. “This program opens doors for talented students all across the commonwealth, especially for students who may have less access to high-quality resources, materials, and curriculum.”

PGSS is an intensive, five-week summer residential program that emphasizes cooperative learning and hands-on laboratory research for high school juniors pursuing careers in science and mathematics. 

With the support of Governor Tom Wolf, PDE, Carnegie Mellon University and its alumni, the program offers an enrichment experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The goal of the program is to encourage Pennsylvania’s youth to pursue careers in STEM-related fields. 

High school juniors can apply to participate on the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences website until January 31, 2022. Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents in their junior year of high school.

Accepted applicants will receive a full scholarship to the program. Awarded scholarships will cover the costs of housing, meals, and all instructional materials. Families are responsible for transportation to and from the university, personal items, and spending money. Students must commit to living on campus at Carnegie Mellon University throughout the duration of the program. 

PGSS offers students the opportunity to participate in true scientific research and specialized scientific study. The program also seeks to maintain a pipeline of modern technological talent throughout Pennsylvania and promotes the involvement of under-represented and minority students in STEM fields.

Since 2018, the Wolf Administration has secured $80 million and strategically invested in education and workforce development through PAsmart. These 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 centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools.

For more information from PDE, please visit the website.