Pennsbury Teacher Named PA STEM Ambassador

YARDLEY, PA — A teacher and coordinator at Pennsbury High School has been named one of 32 statewide ambassadors in the Pennsylvania STEM Ambassador Program.

Jessica Perfetto teaches at Pennsbury High and is the curriculum coordinator for applied engineering and technology education for the Pennsbury School District. The ambassador program aims to shape the future of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education in Pennsylvania by targeting policy conversations to lawmakers on the topic.

"STEM provides students a conduit to apply content gained from traditional classes, and creates relevance to future careers and skills that today’s employers demand," Perfetto said. "In the Applied Engineering Department at Pennsbury, we build student confidence to develop divergent thinking. The answer is not always in the back of a textbook. There is more than one solution to a problem."

PA STEM Ambassadors met for an inaugural training session in late February at the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, a statewide training and professional development organization that is part of the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education.

The ambassadors come from the corporate world, pre-K through 12 education, higher education and after-school programs from 22 counties. Each has agreed to work the next nine months on training and policy development to share their expertise and content knowledge with influential stakeholders.

"In order for Pennsylvania to lead in STEM policy, we need to develop leaders across the state to advocate for bipartisan support in advancing STEM Education policies and to have the respect and influence to affect change," said Laura Saccente, director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network. "PA STEM ambassadors have been a vital part in shaping STEM education and workforce policies."