Governor Makes Stop In Levittown As Students Get High-Tech Lessons

Gov. Tom Wolf liked what we he saw Thursday at Brookwood Elementary School in Bristol Township’s Levittown section.

The governor, a Democrat on his second term, took part in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) lessons with fourth at fifth grade students at the school.

In speaking to school administrators and the press, he stated he was impressed with what he saw in the classrooms and joked that it was a lot different than what he grew up with.

Among the items in the school were high-tech equipment from the Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s brand new Mobile Fab Lab – short for fabrication laboratory – that got on the road recently and will travel to schools across the entire county for week-long visits.

Wolf watched the students use robotics equipment and handheld devices. He also took a look at a laser cutter and electronics equipment set up in a classroom.

The van was paid for with a $412,656 PAsmart grant, according to Dr. Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.

The governor’s office said there has been $70 million across the state devoted to the PAsmart program over the past two years. The number breaks down to $40 million to science, technology, engineering, and math education and $30 million for job training.

“We are very honored to be a recipient of multiple PAsmart grants and the partnerships they allow us to build, including the opportunity to develop this Mobile Fab Lab,” said Hoffman. “By being able to bring STEAM education directly to our districts, schools, and students, we are providing innovative teaching and learning that prepares our young people today for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Wolf, who owned his own company and worked in the private sector, said schools need to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. He cited the ever-changing work environment.

“Elementary school students will experience tremendous technological advances in their lifetime and PAsmart will help them learn and gain knowledge to thrive,” he said.

Bristol Township School District Superintendent Dr. Melanie Gehrens outlined that the district is using iPads in their STEAM programs, has different labs with cutting-edge equipment, and is sending teachers for more training on how to best engage and teach students to prepare them for the future workforce.

Wolf noted that skills taught in school today would “lay a strong foundation for our economy.”

Officials from the Bensalem and Bristol Borough school district were also in attendance for Thursday’s evening.