PGSS Operational Details

OPERATIONAL DETAILS

Mission Statement
The mission of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Sciences was refined at the annual retreat for the Pennsylvania Governor's Schools of Excellence at at Kings Gap, PA in the Fall of 1989. It is to encourage exceptional students to pursue careers in science, engineering, the health professions, and related technological fields. To this end the program is designed:

to acquaint students with the most modern developments in the sciences by participating in a series of core courses
to provide motivation to the students through their participation in hands-on research projects utilizing advanced research facilities
to develop leadership skills through participation in formal leadership training workshops
to develop independence through original research projects and meeting the challenge of a program demanding in both time and effort
to provide opportunities to acquire sufficient background information to make intelligent career selections.

Goals and Objectives
In 1982 the Pennsylvania Department of Education established the following goals for the PGSS:

To identify and encourage students who show exceptional promise as potential scientists and engineers to continue their efforts in a technical discipline;
To develop a new, advanced level curriculum that will aid these students in expanding their capabilities and interests;
To foster and reward excellence and creativity among secondary school students by identifying and including them in this unique enrichment experience;
To especially encourage able women and minority students to consider scientific careers;
To encourage local school districts to upgrade their science programs, increasing the quality and diversity of their offerings;
To emphasize the vital role of science and technology in our society and the impact of society upon scientific endeavor;
To train student leaders who, upon return to their local school districts, will serve as role models for their peers; and
To provide scientists as role models for student participants.

The PGSS faculty have established the following objectives as a means of attaining the goals presented above:

To provide an opportunity for highly talented students in Pennsylvania to satisfy their curiosity about a wide range of topics in science, technology, and mathematics;
To provide an opportunity for these students to participate in hands-on laboratory research work;
To provide them an opportunity to become exposed to scientific concepts, laboratory facilities, and professional scientists and mathematicians not normally provided or available in any high school;
To participate in a team project designed to allow the student the opportunity to engage in original work in a cooperative atmosphere;
To use this program as an instrument of career selection;
To help the student learn that science and technology are rewarding and exciting careers to follow, and can be fun;
To help the student become self-motivating and self-disciplining.