Pennsylvania Department of Aging

05/25/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/25/2022 08:08

Wolf Administration Highlights Investments in STEM Education During Remake Learning Days

Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) continued 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. Acting Deputy Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Dr. David Volkman today participated in a virtual event featuring agriculture drones.

"Remake Learning Days highlights the intersection between education and career and encourages students to get engaged in learning through interactive, real-world applications," said Acting Deputy Secretary Volkman. "From coding programs to building robots or operating drones, the projects covered in the hundreds of events across the commonwealth will prepare students to enter fulfilling, meaningful, and family-sustaining careers."

During the eventOpens In A New Window, sixth-generation dairy farmer William Thiele, also known as the #droneguy, will be showing his drone, its components and how it works and takes flight. As part of the partnership between PDE and Remake Learning to prepare learners with the employability and STEM skills needed for future careers, students who participate in the livestream 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]

# # #