Ecosystem Network
PA Statewide STEM Ecosystem Support
A statewide cross-sector network connecting education, workforce, nonprofits, families, and community partners through regional STEM ecosystems.
2025–2026 Reach
585Educators
701Workforce
Pennsylvania Department of Education · PAsmart STEM & Computer Programs Dashboard
Year 1 Launch
PA STEM & CS
Project Center
Pennsylvania has become a national leader in STEM and computer science education. This platform is the statewide infrastructure connecting all 29 Intermediate Units, program leaders, and partners to track, report, and align STEM/CS initiatives across the Commonwealth.
Annually, ORBIT-connected programs reach
365K+
Students
reached annually · 3-yr avg
75K+
Educators
reached annually · 3-yr avg
25K+
Workforce / Community
reached annually · 3-yr avg
Understanding PAsmart
Grants vs. Programs
People know PAsmart for its grants. But the grants fund a portfolio of statewide STEM and Computer Science programs — and that program work is what this platform tracks.
Administered via Pa.gov
PAsmart Grants
PAsmart grants are the Commonwealth's investment in STEM and computer science education — competitive and formula funding awarded to schools, Intermediate Units, and partners. Grant applications, eligibility, and award details live on the official PDE site.
Visit PAsmart Grants on Pa.govTracked on ORBIT
PAsmart Programs
The grants fund the program work — and you likely already know many of these programs without realizing they're PAsmart:
CSinPAChief Science OfficersRemake Learning DaysGovernor's STEM CompetitionPennSELKeystone STEM CompetitionsPA ELit HubsPA Scholastic Esports
ORBIT is the statewide infrastructure connecting all 29 Intermediate Units and program leaders to track, report, and align this program work across the Commonwealth.
Explore the PAsmart STEM/CS Program Implementation StrategyOne investment, two layers
The grants provide the funding. The programs deliver the impact in classrooms across Pennsylvania. ORBIT connects the two — giving leaders the data to see what's working.
Our Mission
Building Pennsylvania's STEM Future, One Classroom at a Time
Mission & Vision
Building Pennsylvania's STEM Future
MISSION: PAsmart is focused on ensuring Pennsylvania students and workers have the skills and abilities to meet the economic needs of the 21st century.
VISION: Facilitate the growth of STEM and computer science education leaders in formal and informal educational settings, business and industry, family and community organizations, youth centers, learning institutions, and government agencies.
Businesses are growing in Pennsylvania, and they want skilled workers prepared for the 21st century economy. STEM careers are growing at over 9% — with 590,000 new and replacement jobs projected through 2026. Currently, there are 17,787 unfilled CS and software development jobs in Pennsylvania, with an average salary of $85,000.
PAsmart Strategic Goals
Six Priority Goal Areas
- 1
Increase and diversify the number of students K–12 engaging in CS and STEM related courses by at least 10,000 learners.
- 2
Increase and diversify the number of educators receiving professional learning in CS and STEM by 20% each year.
- 3
Increase the number of high schools offering 7–12 CS courses by 75 schools and STEM courses by 75 schools each year.
- 4
Increase the number of certified 7–12 CS educators to at least 500.
- 5
Double the number of LEAs with a CS comprehensive plan from 105 to 300 LEAs.
- 6
Establish 29 Three-Dimensional Teaching and Learning Leadership Hubs.
Project Center
Active Statewide Programs
Twelve active STEM and Computer Science programs connecting all 29 Intermediate Units across the Commonwealth, with 2025–2026 reach data drawn from this year's annual report draft.
Reach figures reflect 2025–2026 program data from the draft annual report. Programs marked "Active — impact data coming" are running but have not yet logged reach data.
Statewide Impact
SY 2024-2025 Impact at a Glance
Data from the SY 2024-2025 Annual Report, showing the collective reach of all active programs across Pennsylvania's 29 Intermediate Units.
140,984
Students Reached
32,484
Educators Engaged
26,931
Workforce Partners
68
Activities Logged
29 Intermediate Units
Every IU in the Commonwealth participates in the ORBIT reporting system, ensuring statewide coverage and equitable STEM/CS access.
Program-Level Impact Breakdown
Programs with logged activities this school year
| Program | Activities | Students | Educators | Workforce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Keystone STEM Competitions Keystone STEMComp | 1 | 2,150 | 50 | 50 |
PA Environmental Literacy Hubs PA ELit | 7 | 1,750 | 118 | 194 |
Chief Science Officers CSOs | 8 | 1,312 | 295 | 58 |
PA Statewide STEM Ecosystem Support PSSE | 4 | — | 585 | 701 |
Statewide System of Support STEM POC Leadership SSOS:STEM Leads | 10 | — | 146 | — |
Phila STEM/CS Technical Assistance Phila Tech Asst | 1 | — | — | — |
| Statewide Total | 68 | 140,984 | 32,484 | 26,931 |
Data from the SY 2024-2025 Annual Report. Six additional programs are active but did not log activities during that school year.
Live Data — SY 2026-2027
Current School Year303
Students Reached
2,525
Educators Engaged
233
Workforce Partners
234
Activities Logged
Live data from the ORBIT reporting system. Updated as IUs log activities throughout the school year.
Impact Documentation
Annual Reports
Year-by-year documentation of Pennsylvania's statewide STEM and CS program impact, implementation, and outcomes.
From the 2024–2025 Impact Report
Stories from the Field
The people behind the numbers — students, educators, and workforce partners across Pennsylvania whose work is documented in the latest PAsmart annual report.
Students
Confidence, skills, and early engagement in STEM and Computer Science pathways.
213,004CS course enrollments
Students in grades 7–12 are now enrolled in computer science courses statewide — a milestone in sustained CS access.
CSinPA491Chief Science Officers
Student leaders serving as STEM ambassadors in their schools and communities, with participation up 11× since launch.
CSO Program270+STEM Competition students
Young people designing solutions — from biomedical prototypes to renewable energy — that improve life for Pennsylvanians.
Governor's STEM Competition5,410Career-readiness artifacts
Students created career artifacts this year, with 88% produced by K–5 learners — underscoring early engagement.
CSO ProgramBrightNowEarly learners
Engaging the youngest learners through music and movement while embedding STEM and CS concepts in classrooms.
BrightNow
Educators
Scalable, evidence-based professional learning aligned to high-quality instruction.
4,400+Educators trained
CSinPA used a train-the-trainer model across 21 IUs, multiplying local capacity to deliver professional development.
CSinPA99%Applicability affirmed
Project Tomorrow’s Computational Thinking initiative engaged 41 IUs and 16 LEAs — nearly all participants affirmed direct classroom applicability.
PASCL · Project Tomorrow93%Gained valuable knowledge
PennSEL (WestEd) supported 160+ district and IU leaders with resources and toolkits for STEELS implementation.
PennSEL · WestEd79%AI cohort completion
ISTE/ASCD’s generative AI professional learning built educator understanding, with strong demand for district-level adoption.
AI · ISTE/ASCD97%IU coverage
The Student-Centered Learning Network now includes nearly all IUs statewide, equipping leaders to personalize instruction and increase student agency.
Student-Centered Learning
Workforce & Community
Career-connected partnerships and regional ecosystems addressing workforce challenges.
1,000+Ecosystem members
Employers, higher education, nonprofits, and government engaged through STEM Ecosystems facilitated by IUs statewide.
STEM Ecosystems14Regional ecosystems
PSSE convened leaders from 14 regional ecosystems, hosted a statewide leadership summit, and built a pipeline of STEM ecosystem leaders.
PSSEELit HubsRegional symposia
Environmental Literacy & Sustainability Hubs hosted symposia and mini-grants, aligning instruction to sustainability and green industries.
ELit Hubs800+Free community events
Remake Learning Days connected 254 schools and 175 LEAs with families through free events across the Commonwealth.
Remake Learning DaysImpact in Motion
See the Work in Action
Voices and stories from students, educators, and workforce partners across Pennsylvania — captured in classrooms, communities, and convenings statewide.
Strategic Planning Documents
Foundational Plans & Frameworks
Foundational plans and frameworks guiding Pennsylvania's long-term STEM and CS education strategy.
PAsmart Strategic Plan
The overarching strategic framework guiding Pennsylvania's STEM and CS investment priorities, goal targets, and cross-agency coordination.
PAsmart Grants
Official PDE page for PAsmart grant programs, eligibility, applications, and award details — administered through Pa.gov.
PAsmart Evaluation (AIR)
American Institutes for Research evaluation of the PAsmart initiative, providing formative and summative recommendations for future Commonwealth STEM and CS initiatives.
Authorized IU & PDE Personnel
Access the ORBIT Portal
Sign in to access your IU reporting dashboard, log program activities, track deliverables, and collaborate with STEM leaders across Pennsylvania.