Pennsbury Gets State Grant For STEM Training

FALLSINGTON, PA — Pennsbury School District has received a $35,000 state grant to help train students in science, technology, engineering and math.

Pennsbury was one of 162 state school districts to receive the PAsmart targeted grant. Backed by Gov. Tom Wolf, PAsmart aims to prepare students for in-demand jobs, focusing on STEM programs and teacher training.

"The importance of STEM education is only increasing," said state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, who represents the Pennsbury area. "It is estimated that over the next decade, more than 70 percent of new jobs in Pennsylvania will be in STEM-related fields. I’m proud of the work our school districts are doing to prepare students for the future job market."

This year, Pennsbury elementary schools launched a STEM program called SPARK. With the money from the PAsmart grant, middle schools and the Applied Engineering and Technology Education department will be introducing a similar new curriculum called Project Lead the Way.

"This grant will provide the opportunity for students to continue to develop age appropriate STEM skills in middle school before they have the opportunity to take courses such as Robotics and Coding, Engineering and Product Design at Pennsbury High School," said Jessica Perfetto, Applied Engineering and Technology Education district curriculum coordinator at Pennsbury High School West.

For more information on the PAsmart initiative, click here.