Although, for a time, it was in a superposition of states, the wavefunction of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences has finally collapsed. With the deepest regret, we must inform you that our beloved program is definitely dead for 2009. Please write to your State Representative and your State Senator to voice your concern. (See the link below.) We can only hope that funding will be restored in the not-to-distant future, and that the programs will be revived, perhaps for 2010. Our thanks to all who have supported and encouraged us through these difficult times, and especially to the 2379 alumni of PGSS, the Residential Life Staff, the Faculty, and the administrative staff who made this program the wonderful, incomparable phenomenon that it has been over the past 27 years.
  • Testimonials from PGSS Alumni: Read about the impact that PGSS has had over the past 27 years (Published 12 March 2009).

    • In 1982 the Pennsylvania Department of Education established the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences (PGSS) in order to provide an enrichment experience in the sciences and mathematics for especially talented Pennsylvania high school students and to encourage them to pursue technological careers. One of the eight Pennsylvania Governor's Schools of Excellence, this program provides instruction in biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and computer science, with emphasis on collaborative learning and team research. The PGSS program is privileged to have access to the sophisticated technology and facilities available at Carnegie Mellon University and other facilities in the city of Pittsburgh.

    The Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon has been the host for the PGSS each summer since its inception. The PGSS is supported entirely by contract to Carnegie Mellon from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

    2007 marked the 25th Anniversary of PGSS. See what the Pittsburgh Post Gazette had to say about our program.

    On Wednesday, 4 February 2009, Governor Rendell announced his proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010, which included zero funding for the eight Pennsylvania Governor's Schools of Excellence. We are doing all we can to ensure the continuation of these important programs, but we need your help. Please write to your State Representative and your State Senator to register your concern. The House and Senate will hold hearings on the proposed Education Budget on 2 and 3 March 2009. Your input prior to those hearings would be most helpful.

    On Saturday, 7 February 2009, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran an edirorial on the proposed elimination of Governor's Schools for 2009.

    Show your support for the Governor's Schools of Excellence by signing a petition in favor of reinstating funding for 2009.

    On Monday, 16 February 2009, the Delaware County Daily Times ran an article featuring testimonials from many Governor's School alumni.
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    of Pennsylvania, and the faculty, staff, and students of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences.
    This page last updated Saturday, 7 February 2009. Questions and comments regarding this Web site may be directed to the PGSS webmaster.