Secretary of Education Dr. Noe Ortega announced up to $10 million in PAsmart grants are available to prepare students for the fast-growing fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and computer science (CS).
“PAsmart is strategically investing in science and technology education so students get the skills they need for the workforce,” said Secretary Ortega. “These grants encourage partnerships between schools and businesses to focus on the skills students will need in rapidly growing tech industries.”
Governor Wolf launched PAsmart in 2018 and the administration has distributed nearly $60 million statewide to support STEM and computer science education in hundreds of schools and expand job training through registered apprenticeships and industry partnerships.
Pennsylvania remains a leader in STEM education. The 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.
PAsmart Advancing grants of up to $500,000 each support cross-sector partnerships that provide quality STEM and CS experiences to learners of all ages – early childhood, PreK-12, postsecondary, and adult learners – as part of high-level strategic approaches to workforce readiness.
The grants enable regions to expand STEM ecosystems; grow partnerships between Local Education Agencies, postsecondary institutions, and businesses; expand CS/STEM opportunities to historically underserved populations; and expand the pool of CS/STEM educators at all levels of education.
Advancing grant applications must be submitted to PDE by Monday, March 21, 2022.
