STEM Programs
From regional competitions to AI-powered classrooms — every program at STEM@Skook29 is designed to create real impact for students, teachers, and communities.
Competitions
STEM competitions give students a high-energy space to apply creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and technical skills in real-world challenges. IU29 supports regional events that connect students to design thinking, digital media, invention, engineering, manufacturing, robotics, and career exploration.
Get Your Team Involved →
Media and Design Competition
Annual event highlighting students' skills in graphic design, video production, animation, web design, and programming. Regional winners advance to the state competition.
March 2027
STEM Design Challenge
Elementary and middle schoolers design a sustainable factory section using K'Nex and/or Engino, building a working prototype that demonstrates environmentally responsible production.
Sea Air Land Challenge
Teams design and build a robotic system to compete in challenges that mimic missions encountered by the military, national security agencies, and first responders.
Oct 2026
Keystone Competition
A one-day statewide STEM challenge for grades 5–12 — no prep required. Teams of up to 5 tackle a real-world challenge and design innovative solutions together.
Invention Convention
Students develop problem-identification, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, and creativity skills — building confidence in invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
March 2027
What's So Cool About Manufacturing?
Students explore cool manufacturing careers and produce video profiles of local companies — showcasing the people and innovation behind modern manufacturing.
Make@Skook29
The Make@Skook29 makerspace is a hands-on innovation lab where students from across the region come to design, prototype, and build. It's learning by doing — and it changes how students think about what's possible.
Whether a student is building their first 3D model or engineering a functional prototype, the makerspace provides the tools, the guidance, and the space to take creative risks.
Makerspace Tools & Platforms
Hands-on tools powering creativity, design, and innovation
Book a Makerspace Visit →
Chief Science Officers (CSO)
Chief Science Officers are students in grades 6–12 elected by their peers to serve as STEM ambassadors for their school and community. IU29 coordinates the active Pennsylvania chapter regionally, supporting students, advisors, and schools throughout the year.
Each CSO completes an annual leadership cycle: election, Leadership Training Institute, an initial and administrator-approved Action Plan, Fall and Spring Cabinet Meetings, Quarterly Impact Reports, and a year-end reflection. This active program is funded for three more years; it is not a pilot.
Leadership Training Institute
The CSO Regional Lead prepares students to serve as STEM ambassadors and begin their annual Action Plans.
Student Action Plans
Each CSO develops an initial plan, earns administrator approval, carries it out, and completes a year-end reflection.
Advisor & Regional Support
An in-building CSO Advisor, regional Cabinet Coordinator, and CSO Regional Lead support students and their schools.
Chief Science Officers in Action
Student-elected STEM ambassadors develop Action Plans, build leadership skills, and collaborate through the Leadership Training Institute and Cabinet Meetings.
The Chief Science Officer Leadership Cycle
STEELS@Skook29
Supporting every teacher in every district as Pennsylvania's new science and STEM standards roll out.
STEELS@Skook29
Pennsylvania's STEELS standards represent a major shift in how science, technology, engineering, environment, ecology, and sustainability are taught. That shift requires support — and that's what STEM@Skook29 delivers.
We provide teachers and administrators with the resources, training, and coaching they need to implement the STEELS framework with confidence — at every grade level and in every subject area.
Standards Unpacking
Deep dives into what STEELS requires at each grade band
Curriculum Mapping
Aligning existing curriculum to STEELS expectations
Coaching Cycles
Ongoing instructional coaching and classroom support
Resource Library
Ready-to-use lessons, labs, and assessments
EdTech & AI
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every field — and education is no exception. STEM@Skook29 helps teachers and students understand, use, and think critically about AI and emerging technologies.
From practical classroom AI tools to digital citizenship frameworks, we make EdTech and AI education accessible, relevant, and grounded in what actually works in real schools.
For Teachers
- ✦ AI Tools for Educators Workshop
- ✦ EdTech Integration Coaching
- ✦ Digital Learning Strategy
- ✦ Tool Evaluation & Reviews
For Students
- ✦ AI Literacy Programs
- ✦ Coding & App Development
- ✦ Data Science Foundations
- ✦ Digital Citizenship & Ethics