The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS) was started by Governor Richard Thornburgh in 1982 to ensure Pennsylvania’s global competitiveness in science and technology. Held each summer at Carnegie Mellon University, PGSS provided the State’s highest caliber students with a STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Over the course of five weeks, the students studied advanced subjects, performed laboratory experiments, and conducted original research, all under the guidance of University faculty. One of the defining aspects of PGSS was the diversity of the student body. Applications were broken down according to the 29 Intermediate Units, with applicants only compared to others from the same region. Within a region, applicants were selected solely on merit, and every student was a priori guaranteed a full scholarship. This allowed students to attend, regardless of economic status, with attendees coming from every corner of the state. In a typical year, over 500 people applied for less than 100 seats. Throughout these pages, you'll find descriptions of the academic courses, the research projects, and the social aspects of PGSS. Please visit the following links to learn more about the hallmarks of a PGSS education: |
 | |
  |
|