PSSE December Updates

Our vision: All Pennsylvanians will have access to quality STEM education and career pathways to become tomorrow's leaders, influencers, and problem-solvers.

Farewell, But Not for Long

This will be my final Director’s Desk. It is time for me to say good-bye to the Directorship of PSSE.

In the time I have been Director, I have seen PSSE grow from 9 regional STEM Ecosystems to 14. We have built a governance structure in which all ecosystems are represented. We have held two leadership retreats, one statewide convening, a virtual learning series to support STEM Ecosystem leaders, and many leadership team meetings.

We have resurrected the strong connections between OST time providers through our continued partnership with PSAYDN and re-energized our advocacy work with the advocacy workgroup. The formation of our new PSEL esports workgroup also promises exciting new opportunities.

My time as the first Director of PSSE has seen our bylaws written and ratified, our logo redesigned, and a new website, membership list, statewide STEM opportunities calendar and growing social media presence felt. And, if you count today’s issue, over the course of those two years we have completed 24 issues of our monthly newsletter. We have seen our ecosystem partners send the largest contingent of PA STEM ecosystem members and leaders to the TIES Convening this year, as well as a team of PA Chief Science Officers.

Looking forward, we have our annual leadership retreat planning in full swing, as well as ideations for our statewide convening in June 2026. The PSSE Newsletter will be getting some updates as well.

Starting this January, our current Assistant Director, Dr. Stephanie Schwab, PA SEED Ecosystem, will move into the Director position for a two-year term. Elections for a new Assistant Director will be held at the end of this month. I have no doubt that Dr. Schwab will touch our network in a myriad of positive, insightful ways. The best is yet to come.

As for me, I will be moving into the role of Past Director, where I will support our network grow and evolve, as well as continue to lead the NEPA STEM Ecosystem as it positively impacts our northeast corner of PA. Thank you to everyone for your warm welcome and support during my tenure and for your continued excitement for the work we still have ahead of us.

Yours in STEM,

Alexandra Konsur-Grushinski

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STEM Resources & Opportunities

PSSE Advocacy Virtual Meeting Series: Shaping Pennsylvania’s Future Together

Join Us for Insight, Innovation, and Impact

The Pennsylvania Statewide STEM Ecosystem (PSSE) Advocacy Virtual Meeting Series is kicking off in January! This series combines economic insight with leadership storytelling to inspire collaboration, innovation, and advocacy across the Commonwealth.

What to Expect

Each virtual meeting is structured to:

Learn from leaders within Pennsylvania’s five economic pillars
Hear their leadership stories through the lens of 10 Great Stories Leaders Tell
Work & Network with ecosystem members across the state to build connections and actionable advocacy strategies

Focus Areas

Pennsylvania’s Five Economic Pillars:

Agriculture
Energy
Life Sciences
Manufacturing
Robotics & Technology

10 Great Stories Leaders Tell:

From founding stories to vision, strategy, values, and leadership philosophy—discover the narratives that drive success.

Schedule

January 20, 2026 | 3 - 4:30pm | Five Pillar, Advocacy, and Storytelling Overview
February 18, 2026 | 8 - 9:30am | Agriculture and AgTech
March 19, 2026 | 3 - 4:30pm | Energy and Clean Tech
April 21, 2026 | 8 - 9:30am | Lifescience and Biotech
May 20, 2026 | 3 - 4:30pm | Advanced Manufacturing
June 18, 2026 | 8 - 9:30am | Robotics and Technology

Location: Virtual (link provided upon registration)

We hope you’ll join us to learn from leaders, share your voice, and build your individual and the statewide ecosystem!

Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League (PSEL) Expands Workgroup by Inviting STEM Ecosystems

With its origins in PA stemming from an ecosystem convening in 2018, Pennsylvania Scholastic Esports League has grown to support 196 schools, 295 teams and 1231 players across the Commonwealth. PSEL is focused on grounding scholastic esports experiences in community, competition and career readiness. Some things that make PSEL unique to PA are they are the only educator-led league in Pennsylvania. They are free to participate with, and they also function inside the educational system and as a non-profit. PSEL prioritizes minimizing barriers for students and educators to participate in esports.

PSEL is launching a state-wide Minecraft Edu build challenge on Nov 10th, and encourages all STEM Ecosystems to get involved. This student competition will be aligned with PA economic and workforce leads, and promises to be one of their biggest events yet.

The first esports workgroup meeting will be held on Thursday, January 8 at 11:30am. We will discuss goals for the group and how we can best utilize the collective experiences to help support current and future esports initiatives. If you or any member of your STEM ecosystem would like to join the Esports Workgroup, please visit this link: https://bit.ly/EsportsWorkgroup

Focus Groups for Students in Computer Science (CS) Courses - Call for Participation

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the American Institutes for Research (AIR) are conducting focus groups with middle and high school students (grades 7–12) who are enrolled in computer science (CS) courses or CS-related career and technical education (CTE) programs.

We are asking for your help to share this opportunity with students and families in your district or school community. Participation will help PDE better understand how to strengthen computer science and CTE learning experiences for all learners. Families can learn more and sign up online.

Recruitment assets:

Details at a glance:

Who: Students in grades 7–12 enrolled in CS or CS-related CTE courses
What: 60-minute virtual focus group facilitated by AIR
When: Sessions scheduled this fall (families select times through the sign-up link)
Incentive: Each participating student will receive a $40 Amazon e-gift card as a thank-you (1 per family)

2026 Smithsonian Science Education Leadership Summit

Since 2017, the Smithsonian Science Education Center has hosted this annual summit, helping over 140 teams strengthen STEM teaching systems and support the recruitment and retention of excellent K-12 STEM educators. The 2026 Summit will continue this work by bringing teams of educators together to advance systemic strategies that elevate and sustain the STEM teacher workforce.

Click here to Learn more about the Smithsonian Science Education Leadership Summit

Why Attend?

By attending the Summit, the selected teams will have the opportunity to:

Develop a logic model to address recruitment and retention challenges for a more skilled STEM teacher workforce.
Collaborate with peers to solve problems of practice.
Join a national network committed to equitable pathways in STEM teaching.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: Monday, January 5, 2026 (11:59 PM Eastern)
Summit Dates/Location: March 27–29, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA at Drexel University

Submit Your Team Application Today!

Team applications are due Monday, January 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Calling all K-5 Teachers in NJ, PA and WV! Become a STEM Pioneer!

Are you passionate about shaping the future of STEM education?

Join our National STEM Teacher Corps Regional Alliance Pilot Program and lead the charge in enhancing elementary STEM learning across the Mid-Atlantic!

Why Apply?

$12,000 Annual Stipend (paid in three installments)
Extensive Professional Development in STEM curriculum and leadership
Membership in a Community of Practice focused on K-5 STEM education
Paid Travel to summer professional development sessions
Materials Provided for implementing the STEM curriculum in your classroom
Networking Opportunities with award-winning teachers and STEM professionals
Paid Membership to state science teachers’ associations and NSTA
Support for Hosting Workshops to share knowledge with other educators

Limited spots available! Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to empower yourself and your students in STEM education.

Explore possibilities and apply: https://www.stempioneers.net/

Together, let's inspire the next generation of innovators!

Carbon County Environmental Education Center Celebrates 40 Years of Conservation Through Education

Carbon County Environmental Education Center (CCEEC) is celebrating their 40 anniversary. An outdoor education and wildlife rehabilitation facility housed in a converted 1920s dairy barn, the center is located on 70 acres of woodland, wetland, and meadow within Mauch Chunk Lake Park. In a 1992 expansion, the building and grounds underwent considerable improvements. Yet the mission and motto remain the same: Conservation Through Education.

CCEEC is the discovery hub for school students, civic organizations, and the general public.

It houses classrooms and educational displays, a lending library, children's outdoor playground, and a small wildlife rehabilitation hospital. Injured, non-releasable raptors are on-site for public viewing at all daylight hours.

Ongoing onsite and offsite programming continues throughout the year, with resources like owl pellets and STEELS aligned lessons available for teachers and schools. CCEEC also has the opportunity for local schools and groups to plan offsite programming that includes their animal co-workers!

Thank you for being a wonderful Ecosystem partner, and here's to another 40 years!

For more information and to view upcoming events, visit: https://www.carboneec.org/

Join PSSE!

Not already a PSSE member? Member benefits include subscription to the PSSE newsletter; regular announcements about grants, professional development and other resources, access to a FREE public membership directory, and the opportunity to join a PSSE Workgroup and impact STEM education throughout the Commonwealth.

Click on the link below to join!

PSSE Member Registration