The grants fund the programs — and this is how the programs are organized. This implementation strategy unifies the Commonwealth's STEM and Computer Science education and career pathway programs under shared priorities, aligned activities, and a clear theory of change for statewide impact.
Read the Full Implementation StrategyThis framework shows how PAsmart’s priorities, investments, statewide infrastructure, and ways of working function as one connected strategy. Explore each audience and organizational element to understand how it strengthens STEM and Computer Science opportunity across Pennsylvania.
Students are at the core of PAsmart’s work, with high-quality, hands-on STEM/CS experiences designed to build curiosity, confidence, real-world connections, and pathways to future success.
Educators and school leaders are at the core of PAsmart’s work, strengthening student-centered practice through sustained professional learning, shared resources, leadership, and systems-level change.
Workforce, higher-education, and community partners are at the core of PAsmart’s work, connecting STEM/CS learning to authentic experiences, academic success, career pathways, and Pennsylvania’s innovation-driven economy.
Hover any audience or element to preview its role in PAsmart’s strategy, then click it for an expanded explanation.
Within each Core Priority are Strategic Activities that narrow the focus area and enable alignment between different PAsmart projects and programs.
Hosting events and educational opportunities that foster hands-on learning and active engagement.
Organizing and promoting academic and extracurricular competitions to stimulate student interest and achievement.
Opportunities and programs that cultivate leadership skills and connect students to mentors.
Hosting events and providing opportunities for professionals to engage in continuous learning.
Facilitating the creation of groups where professionals can share knowledge and collaborate.
Developing and distributing educational materials and resources to support educators.
Providing assistance and resources specifically focused on enhancing curriculum development and implementation.
Initiatives and events that bring together partners (education, industry, nonprofits, government) to foster collaboration.
Short and long-term career exposure programs for students and educators — internships, apprenticeships, capstones, externships.
Establishing networks and ecosystems that connect professionals from various sectors to strengthen collaborations.
PAsmart Strategies align statewide resources, policies, and programs to strengthen STEM and CS education through a coherent, scalable, and sustainable approach.
Build a robust STEM/CS talent pipeline
Expand access to engaging, hands-on, and real-world learning experiences to build a robust STEM/CS talent pipeline.
Create seamless learning-to-career pathways
Strengthen engagements and collaborations that align education and workforce priorities to create seamless learning-to-career pathways.
Equip all learners with skills, confidence & adaptability
Empower educators to drive innovation and future-ready learning, equipping all learners with skills, confidence, and adaptability for lifelong success.
To ensure a cohesive and impactful approach to STEM and CS education and career pathway programs across Pennsylvania, the plan was built through a structured four-phase process designed to unify efforts, align priorities, and establish a shared vision for the future.
Convened key leaders from PDE, PaTTAN, and Intermediate Units responsible for leading statewide STEM and CS programs. This phase focused on building a collective understanding of current work, identifying common challenges, and recognizing opportunities for alignment across projects and programs.
Brought stakeholders together in person to facilitate cross-sector collaboration and map connections across shared work. Through structured discussions, the team co-developed draft goals and focus areas, identified key areas of impact, and explored synergies between existing initiatives.
Worked together to refine the shared priorities, supporting activities, and strategic goals. Through facilitated discussions and stakeholder input, crafted a strategic framework that defined a collective vision and outlined clear, actionable strategies to drive meaningful progress.
Engaged a broader network of stakeholders and partners to gather feedback, validate priorities, and refine strategies. This ensured the final plan was inclusive, responsive, and representative of the diverse needs of Pennsylvania's education ecosystem.
This collaborative planning process reflects a commitment to fostering a unified, high-impact approach to STEM and CS education. By leveraging the collective expertise of partners, the roadmap strengthens workforce development, broadens access to high-quality STEM education, and positions Pennsylvania as a national leader in STEM and CS learning opportunities — with continuous collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and adaptive implementation at its core.
The full PAsmart STEM/CS Program Implementation Strategy details every priority, activity, strategy, and measurable goal guiding Pennsylvania's STEM and CS program work.
Download the PAsmart Strategic Plan (PDF)