Pennsylvania Department of Aging

05/16/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/16/2022 10:15

Wolf Administration Highlights Investments in STEM Education During Remake Learning Days

Pittston, PA - Executive Deputy Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Dr. Deb Carrera today visited Pittston Memorial Library to celebrate Remake Learning DaysOpens In A New Window and highlight Pennsylvania's proposed investments in K-12 and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education.

"Events like Remake Learning Days engage students in learning for the future, and today's visit to Pittston Memorial Library reinforced how important it is to make learning fun," said Dr. Carrera. "It is critical that Pennsylvania continues to make strategic investments in our STEM ecosystems, which provide access to experiential activities to learners and community members of all ages."

During her visit, Carrera interacted with students and families engaging in STEM learning through stations to explore tower building, clay modeling, robots, drones, slime making, and the scientific method in observing capillary action. As part of the partnership between PDE and Remake Learning to prepare learners with the employability and STEM skills needed for future careers, students can submit a digital badge for their career portfolios to the Career Ready PA Backpack ChallengeOpens In A New Window.

Continuing Gov. Tom Wolf's support for education across the commonwealth, his final budget proposes a $1.55 billion increase in basic education funding, including $200 million for special education. During the past seven years, Governor Wolf has secured an additional $1.8 billion in funding for pre-K through college, including more than $1.1 billion for basic education, $190 million for special education, and $40 million for career and technical education.

During the past seven years, the Wolf Administration has secured $40 million for career and technical education and has invested $116 million in STEM education, an area in which Pennsylvania remains a leader.

Since 2018, the governor has secured $20 million annually for PAsmart, which expands STEM and computer science education to learners of all ages. Targeted and Advancing PAsmart 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. PDE has awarded 438 PAsmart grants since the 2018-19 school year.

Remake Learning Days is a festival of events hosted by organizations like schools, museums, libraries, after-school groups, early childcare centers, universities, media centers, and tech startups-designed to be hands-on, relevant, and engaging educational experiences for youth of all ages (pre-K through high school) and their families, caregivers, and educators. Many of the events are free and open to learners of all ages.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the website or follow PDE on FacebookOpens In A New Window, TwitterOpens In A New Window, YouTubeOpens In A New Window, or PinterestOpens In A New Window.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kendall Alexander - [email protected]

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