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The Governor's STEM Competition

Collage of picture of student in STEM

The Governor’s STEM Competition will be held in a hybrid format in 2023, and the theme is “Innovating the Commonwealth through Collaboration and Computing.”

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.

Team advisors will be given the opportunity to be mentored by regional intermediate unit STEM points of contact. Advisors will be notified by the intermediate unit as to who their mentor will be for this year. If you have not received information as to who your mentor will be by January 6, 2023, please email: govstemcomp@pattan.net.

Teams are required to partner with a member of their local community or business 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.

This year, students will prepare and submit a video to present their findings to the state competition. This video will overview and explain the practical applications of their device. The challenge tests the team's communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills while providing a unique opportunity to share their creativity with students from across the state.

The competition is open to students in grades 9 through 12 who attend a public, charter, or private school, a career and technical education center, or a student being homeschooled in Pennsylvania.

Each team may have a maximum of five students and they must work under the guidance of an approved mentor.

Each team is provided with a $600 stipend to build a prototype of their device or project.

Additional information and resources are available in the sections named: About, State Competition, and Advisors/Students.

View photos from prior year competitions:

Follow the Governor's STEM Competition and join the conversation on social media via:

#GovsSTEMComp and #STEMinPA