Project CenterStudent Engagement
Keystone STEM Competitions
A statewide, low-barrier challenge where students in grades 5–12 collaborate on timely, authentic problems and present STEM-powered solutions.
Program purpose
Why it matters
The competition expands access to meaningful STEM problem-solving by combining regional IU leadership with a connected statewide experience. It gives more students a visible place to create, collaborate, and connect with future pathways.
In action
How the investment comes to life
Student teams respond to a real-world challenge, design and present solutions, and receive feedback from education and industry professionals through regional and statewide experiences.
2025–2026 Reach
Impact at a glance
A quick look at the people and partners reached across Pennsylvania.
Looking ahead
Our Goals for Impact
Clear, measurable goals show how this program is working to turn public investment into meaningful outcomes for Pennsylvania’s students, educators, and communities.
Student Participation
Engage at least 284 students in regional and statewide Keystone STEM Competition experiences.
- Baseline
- More than 270 students in the prior competition
- Target
- At least 284 students
- Timeline
- June 30, 2027
- Measure
- Competition registration and ORBIT participation records
Statewide Reach
Document participating schools, LEAs, and IU regions to establish a validated statewide participation baseline for future growth and equity analysis.
- Baseline
- Baseline to be established through ORBIT data collection.
- Target
- Validated school, LEA, and IU-region participation dataset
- Timeline
- June 30, 2027
- Measure
- ORBIT participation and geographic coverage records