Governor Corbett, Carnegie Mellon University Announce Acceptance of Students into the Governor's School for Sciences Summer 2013 Program

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett and Carnegie Mellon University today announced that 56 Pennsylvania high school juniors have been selected to attend the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) summer program.

"Pennsylvania's economic future is dependent upon today's students training in high-quality educational programs in the sciences," Corbett said.  "The Governor's School for the Sciences will ensure that these students are provided with hands-on, intensive learning that will pave the way for their future success."

The accepted students, selected from 515 applicants, represent 48 high schools, with at least one student from 28 of Pennsylvania's 29 intermediate units.

Since taking office, Corbett has focused on providing the resources necessary for students to obtain the skills and knowledge that is needed for success following high school graduation.

"Whether our students continue on into postsecondary education or enter the workforce, we must remain focused on giving them access to high-quality academic programs in our public education system," Corbett said.

The Corbett administration partnered with the program's alumni to provide a five-week, summer enrichment experience in the sciences and mathematics for talented high school students, and to encourage them to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  Students will receive full tuition and room and board for the duration of the program.

"The PGSS experience is unlike any other. We bring together some of the brightest young scientists from the state's high schools and give them a chance to interact with their peers, college students studying science and some of the leading science faculty from area universities. We also provide them with the exciting opportunity to conduct self-guided research," said Barry Luokkala, PGSS program director and teaching professor of physics at Carnegie Mellon. "When they leave, we hope they are even more enthusiastic about the potential for a future in science."

Students will arrive at Carnegie Mellon's Pittsburgh campus on June 30 and will stay in the university's residence halls.  Students will take lecture courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science; participate in a laboratory course in biology, chemistry, physics or computer science; and complete a team research project.  They also will be able to take elective courses, participate in field trips and engage with distinguished guest lecturers.

"Having access to state-of-the-art equipment and some of Pennsylvania's best science experts will provide tremendous lifelong benefits for these students," said Secretary of Education Ron Tomalis.  "The Corbett administration is committed to ensuring that quality educational opportunities are available to students across the state."

This marks the first year that the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences was reinstated after the program ended in 2008.  The return of PGSS was made possible through a $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education that was matched by PGSS Campaign Inc., a campaign organized by PGSS alumni.  The program's alumni raised funds from individual donors and corporate sponsors, including Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., PPG Industries and AT&T.

Students accepted into the program for 2013 were notified by letter sent on April 4. 

For more information about PGSS, visit: http://www.pgss.mcs.cmu.edu/.

Media contact:
Tim Eller, Department of Education, 717-783-9802
Jocelyn Duffy, Carnegie Mellon University, 412-268-9982

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor