What is STEM?
In Pennsylvania, STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—prepares students to solve authentic, real-world problems through inquiry, design, and collaboration. STEM learning connects classrooms to communities, linking what students learn in school to the skills they’ll need to thrive in college, careers, and citizenship. It’s hands-on, minds-on learning that builds curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
About the Competition
The Pennsylvania Keystone STEM Competition is a free, one-day statewide challenge open to students in grades 5–12. Modeled after a STEM-a-thon, it invites teams of up to five students to tackle a real-world problem, design an innovative solution, and present their ideas to judges drawn from industry, education, and the community. Each team applies design thinking and problem-solving to develop a creative solution that showcases the ingenuity and teamwork required to solve complex real-world challenges.
A Statewide Event with Local Flexibility
While a main event is hosted statewide each fall, regional Keystone Competitions take place throughout the school year across Pennsylvania’s 29 Intermediate Units (IUs). This regional flexibility allows each IU region and the schools they serve to hold the event at a time that fits their local rhythm, removing barriers such as heavy preparation time or travel, thereby setting the conditions for more students to participate.
By working within regional STEM Ecosystems, each event offers students a real-world learning experience in which they receive feedback and mentorship from community, workforce, and higher education partners, connecting classroom learning to Pennsylvania’s growing STEM workforce needs.
Why Participate?
- Build critical skills in creativity, teamwork, and communication
- Experience real-world innovation and design
- Connect with peers, educators, and industry mentors
- Earn certificates, recognition, and prizes
- Gain confidence to compete in other statewide STEM challenges
Join the Challenge
The Keystone STEM Competition welcomes participation from all Pennsylvania schools—public, charter, private, and career-technical.
Teams compete within grade bands (5–6, 7–8, and 9–12) with no preparation required—just bring your curiosity, collaboration, and ideas!
To learn more about your regional event and how to register, visit the official competition site maintained by IU12: