The Governor’s STEM Competition challenges student teams from across the state to research, design, and present a device or project that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanians by accomplishing a series of practical tasks that can fulfill real-world needs.
Teams are required to partner with their local communities to develop a solution to a real problem rooted in the community – this helps create an authentic experience for the students and provides opportunities for them to learn more about career pathways and employment opportunities based in STEM.
The BCIU hosts the regional competition where teams vie for a place in the final competition in Harrisburg. At the finals, teams present their findings to a panel of judges and explain the practical applications of their device. The challenge tests the teams’ communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills while providing a unique opportunity to share their creativity with students from across the state.
The STEM Design Challenge is a competition for where teams are tasked with using K’Nex to create an innovative solution to a problem. Grades 6-8 are also tasked with presenting a final budget for their projects.
The SeAL Challenge is intended to introduce high school students (grades 9-12) to career opportunities they may not have otherwise known existed. This competition also helps high school educators and administrators implement a successful science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program into their school district by providing curriculum that is directly linked to the challenge.
Teams sign up for one of three categories: sea, air, or land. For each category, high school teams tackle difficult engineering tasks.