Our vision: All Pennsylvanians will have access to quality STEM education and career pathways to become tomorrow’s leaders, influencers, and problem-solvers.
FROM THE DIRECTOR’S DESK
For Students, the Time to Join an Out-of-School STEM/CS Program is Now
September is upon us. With the onset of cool days and even cooler nights, parents, caregivers and educators turn their attention to preparing for the start of the school year. With that comes preparing for extending the learning beyond the school day. For many families, this includes going beyond the traditional classroom experience. While schools are working hard to integrate STEM and computer science (CS) into the curriculum, some of the most impactful learning happens outside of traditional school time. Out-of-school (OST) STEM and CS programs offer unique opportunities that support academic growth, build critical skills and nurture passions that can guide students toward career readiness.
Programs, seminars and other OST programming provide students with additional time and space to explore STEM/CS concepts in depth. Students can experiment, take risks and learn through trial and error. This hands-on approach builds resilience and problem-solving abilities that are essential for success in school and the workforce.
OST STEM and CS programs often incorporate real-world projects that students can choose themselves, involve participating in competitions or encourage mentorship from professionals in related fields. These experiences help students connect what they are learning to the workforce, whether that’s established industries or emerging fields. Parents, caregivers and educators can feel confident that OST participation exposes students to a range of opportunities they might not encounter otherwise.
While technical knowledge is important, collaboration and communication are equally critical in the workforce. OST programs naturally foster teamwork as students work together to design, code, build or present solutions. This environment helps students develop social-emotional skills, build confidence in sharing ideas and learn how to work effectively with others.
For many students, OST programs provide a place where curiosity is celebrated. Unlike the pressures of stringently paced, high stakes curriculum in in-school programs, some OST programs offer a lower pressure environment where students can follow their interests, explore new technologies and build projects they’re passionate about. This freedom can often lead to higher levels of creativity and self-motivation.
In addition, many STEM and CS OST programs participate in competitions or showcase events. These opportunities give students a chance to be recognized for their hard work, creativity and innovation. For parents, caregivers and educators, these events are powerful moments to see students take pride in their learning and accomplishments.
As students grow in their skills, they often step into leadership roles mentoring peers, leading projects or presenting their work to an audience. These experiences help students build confidence and develop leadership skills that will serve them well in college, workforce and adulthood.
Out-of-school STEM and CS programs are more than extracurricular activities; they are pathways to future success. They give students the chance to deepen their learning, explore workforce opportunities, build essential life skills and connect with like-minded peers. For parents, caregivers and educators, encouraging participation in these programs is one of the most effective ways to support a student’s growth academically, socially and personally.
If you are a parent or caregiver who is interested in enrolling your child/student in one or more of these opportunities, there are networks that can support that journey. The Pennsylvania Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) has a variety of curated lists of opportunities across the Commonwealth as well as professional development for providers and other supports. Your local school district can share opportunities that they support as well as programs operating in the surrounding community.
If you are an educator and your school doesn’t offer STEM and CS OST programming yet, consider starting an opportunity. You don’t need to be a tech expert; many national organizations provide free curricula, toolkits and training to get programs running. Reach out to your local regional STEM Ecosystem. They regularly partner with local businesses, universities and community groups to bring mentors and resources into local programs. And finally, make sure to showcase student projects to build excitement and community support.
Whether it’s enrolling a child or launching a new program; parents, caregivers and educators can help create opportunities that empower students to explore, learn and lead in STEM.
Yours in STEM,
Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski
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STEM RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
For Educators and Students
Are You Ready for Commonwealth Sustainability Week?
Join us for the fifth annual Commonwealth Sustainability Week! Register at this link.
The week’s events will feature daily webinars, each featuring subject matter experts followed by an open question & answer discussion providing attendees with the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback in real-time. More information can be found at this link. For any questions, please contact the GreenGov Council at ra-gsgreengov@pa.gov.
Pennsylvania’s Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program Seeking Participating Schools
Have you heard? Pennsylvania has a statewide Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program! CSOs are students in 6th to 12th grade who demonstrate an interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and/ or innovation and have a desire to impact their community. CSOs are elected by their peers to be liaisons for STEM and innovation in their schools and community.
Program Goals
- Create a global network of diverse STEM leaders.
- Foster communication and collaboration among CSOs.
- Enrich school STEM culture and career awareness.
- Amplify student voice in STEM conversations in the community.
Individual CSO Goals
- Bring STEM opportunities to their peers.
- Be a voice for their schools.
- Bring change to their communities.
This year, 25 out of 29 Intermediate Units (IUs) launched or expanded their CSO Cabinets. This growth has led to 121 schools and 491 students participating in the CSO Program. The PA CSO Program addresses the following STEM education challenges:
- STEM Student Engagement Attrition
- K-16 to Workforce Skills Gap Discrepancy
- Over-rewarding of formulaic problem solving
- Shrinking Teacher Pipeline (especially in STEM/CS)
Previous PA CSOs have shared that being a CSO has allowed them to
- advocate for STEM outreach,
- enrich other people and themselves,
- have an opportunity to make a difference, bring STEM to their community, and grow people’s awareness of STEM,
- be a leader and develop their leadership skills,
- be a representative for their peers, family and community, and
- be a role model for younger students.
To learn more, view this slide deck from a recent conference presentation, watch this PA CSO Program overview video or check out the PA CSO Website. Recruitment for CSOs for the 2025-2026 school year is currently underway.
Call to Action:
- For schools interested in having a CSO program at your school:
- For any other community members interested in connecting with your local CSO cabinet:
Reach out to your local cabinet coordinator
Events
Remake Learning Assembly 2025
On Friday, September 26, 2025 | 10:00AM – 2:00PM at The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, join Remake Learning at this year’s Assembly to explore innovations from classrooms, out-of-school time programs, libraries, museums, and more! Whether you’re a curious young learner, an educator hungry for inspiration, or simply someone who believes in the power of joyful, creative learning, there’s something here for you. Bring your students. Bring your colleagues. Bring your sense of wonder.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/remake-learning-assembly-tickets-1504713491559
The Global Impact Forum 2025- Workforce Readiness in the Age of AI and Automation
TGIF 2025 is about bridging the readiness gap – the growing disconnect between what schools teach and what the workforce truly needs in the age of AI. As automation reshapes every industry, it’s not just technical skills that are in demand. Employers increasingly seek “human” skills — communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership — yet nearly 60% report difficulty finding them.
At TGIF 2025, we’re convening the educators, employers, students, and innovators who are ready to take action. Together, we’ll explore how education and workforce systems must evolve alongside, amidst, and sometimes despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence.
In collaboration with Explore: Pittsburgh Tech Week and Pittsburgh Robotics Discovery Day, TGIF 2025 expands its scope to celebrate Pittsburgh’s leadership in AI, robotics, and workforce readiness. This partnership enhances our commitment to fostering cross-industry collaboration and showcasing groundbreaking innovations that define the future of work.
Here’s a preview of the conversations happening at TGIF 2025:
- Does AI Kill Creativity? — How we protect human critical thinking in an automated world
- AI and the Law: What Do Educators Need to Know? — Legal, ethical, and practical guidance for schools
- AI for All: Play, Code, and Connect Across Borders — Making AI education accessible and global
- Building the AI-Ready Generation — Systems and skills that scale to meet real industry needs
- Rehumanizing the Future — Centering people and dignity in the workforce of tomorrow
- What Skills and Knowledge Will Sustain the Pressures of AI and Automation? — A forward-looking framework for resilience
- Write. Track. Grow. — A live demo of a next-gen writing platform powered by AI
… and many more hands-on sessions, panels, and keynotes led by global experts, educators, and changemakers.
For more information and to register, visit: https://tgif.psu.edu/tgif-2025
STEM Ecosystems Celebrates 10 Years at October Convening
Join us at our annual Convening in Washington, D.C. on October 20-22, 2025 to celebrate a transformative decade of STEM Ecosystems and help architect the next century of innovation.
As we mark ten years of the STEM Ecosystems Initiative, we invite you to a landmark convening that honors our journey and propels us into a future of boundless possibility. This pivotal event brings together champions of change—visionaries, educators, industry leaders, and community catalysts—to reflect on a decade of transformation and collaboratively design the next chapter of STEM innovation. In this era of rapid technological evolution and societal change, our work has never been more critical.
Join over 500 visionary partners from schools, businesses, and community groups as we transform how people learn and work in STEM. Connect with pioneers who are breaking down silos and building bridges between education and industry. Learn practical ways to strengthen your local STEM initiatives and create lasting impact. See firsthand how collaborative networks are preparing tomorrow’s innovators through groundbreaking approaches that will reshape STEM education for years to come.
Help us in writing the next chapter of STEM education, where every idea has the potential to transform lives and communities.
For more information and to register, visit: STEM Ecosystems Annual Convening
