Center for Excellence in STEM Education
The Center for Excellence in STEM Education at The College of New Jersey brings together a multidisciplinary team of educators, researchers, and practitioners. Professors from the Schools of Education, Engineering, and Science employ complementary, process-based pedagogical approaches for students from kindergarten through the 12th grade. The Center promotes inquiry and design-based learning to engage students, teachers and teachers-in-training in the understanding and application of mathematical, technological and scientific concepts and principles.
Center for Excellence in STEM Education
Past Projects
Teacher Quality Enhancement
The National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future states emphatically that “students will not be able to meet high learning standards unless their teachers are prepared to meet high standards.” The report further declares that “teachers must know their subject areas deeply, understand how children learn, be able to use that knowledge to teach well, use modern learning technologies effectively, and work closely with their colleagues to create rich learning environments. The need to set and achieve high learning standards becomes even more critical in schools of high poverty and documented low student outcomes.”
The “teacher gap” between high-poverty and wealthier schools is identified by Olson in the national survey entitled “Quality Counts 2003,” published by Education Week (2003). The analysis concludes that “students in high poverty, high-minority, and low-achieving schools have the least access to skilled instructors.” The report notes that many educators are committed and willing to work in such schools, but they need adequate resources and ongoing professional development support, especially in the curriculum content areas.
Child Design Engineering Project
Children Designing and Engineering is fun, and helps equip children to solve real-world problems. CD&E units are currently used in several regional School Districts for in-school, after-school and summer camp programs. For information about CD&E learning resources and professional development, contact Alison Goeke, goeke2@tcnj.edu.
Exploring Desing and Engineering
Exploring Designing and Engineering (ED&E)™ initially funded by the New Jersey Commission on Higher Education, ED&E offers teacher professional development and instructional materials that are contextual, problem-based and authentic. Six-week units for grades 6-8 focus on science and technology integration in “Pack It Up, Ship It Out”; “Community by Design”; “Materials & Processes”, and “The Big Thrill—Dream It, Plan It, Build It”. High School units include “Digital DJ”, “Ready, Set, Sail”, “Xtreme Automata” and the “Capstone Course” for advanced students. Design and Engineering with ProDESKTOP, ED&E’s classroom text, guides students through the skills of computer aided design and visualization used in the ED&E units. Over 500 New Jersey teachers have taken ED&E workshops since 2000, with nearly 15,000 students now participating in design and engineering activities state-wide. For more information on how to order Exploring Design and Engineering products, contact Henry Harms, Henry.Harms@stevens.edu.
Technology Student Association
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of technology education students. Funded by the Office of Vocational-Technical, Career & Adult Education, New Jersey Department of Education, NJTSA is supported by educators, parents, and business leaders who believe in the need for a technologically literate society. Members learn through exciting competitive events, leadership opportunities, educational conferences and much more. Thirty schools and 3,000+ students are actively involved in NJTSA. Participation in NJTSA activities provides opportunities to meet with other students and advisors, share experiences and develop leadership skills. It also provides opportunities for positive publicity featuring your school, the accomplishments of your chapter and recognition of student achievement. The diversity of activities we provide makes participation in NJTSA a positive experience for every student and educator and we invite you to become a member. Visit our website or contact Henry Harms at 609-771-3244.
New Jersey Statewide Systematic Initiative
The New Jersey Statewide Systemic Initiative (NJ SSI) is a unique collaboration among school districts, colleges/universities, business & industry dedicated to strengthening mathematics, science, and technology education for all students in New Jersey. Using an infrastructure of five Regional Centers including The College of New Jersey, NJ SSI provides a variety of professional development programs, resources, technical assistance, and planning services to help schools implement research-based curriculum programs in mathematics, science and technology education which are aligned with state standards. The NJ SSI Regional Centers offer a 12 day Partnership Program which helps school teams devise a Strategic Action Plan to improve student achievement in mathematics, science and technology education as measured by NJ State Assessments. The NJ SSI Regional Center at The College of New Jersey services Mercer, Burlington, Hunterdon, and Somerset Counties. For more information, contact: Dr. Robert Weber at 609-771-2776 rweber@tcnj.edu or Ms. Wendy Paulsen at 609-771-3486 paulsen@tcnj.edu. For Regional Centers serving counties other than those listed above, please call 732-445-2241.
Family Tools and Technology
FTT is an award winning after school program focusing on technological design and problem solving while supporting the application of mathematics and scientific principles. Design and problem solving activities are especially appropriate for boys and girls in grades 4-7 and their parents/guardians. FTT teachers involve family teams in exciting “design challenges” related to engineering, architecture and physical science. Sessions allow teams to investigate, explore, problem-solve, and use tools safely to understand how our human designed world works! All FTT activities are aligned with the NJ Core Curriculum Standards in Mathematics and Science, as well as national standards for Technological Literacy. Contact Dr. Robert Weber, Project Director, 609-771-2776 or rweber@tcnj.edu
Teachers as Leaders and Learners (TaLL) Program
TaLL is a partnership program between TCNJ, its Schools of Education and Science, and the Trenton Public Schools. Its goal is to improve student proficiency through high quality, on-site, sustained professional development in the core content areas of mathematics and science, integrated for teachers, paraprofessionals, and pre-service teachers, to improve educational opportunity, equity, and performance of Trenton’s 13,000 students. There are four tiers for ongoing, site-based professional development: Professional Specialization Program offers teachers stimulating, state-of-the-art, college level content courses in mathematics and science integrated with technology. Professional Development School (PDS) provides Trenton teachers and paraprofessionals high-quality, professional development in mathematics and science integrated with technology and instruction on mentoring from TCNJ professors, scientists and mathematicians in residence. Teacher Leader status can be earned by those who aspire to help shape and deliver future professional development initiatives. High Quality Pre-Service Teacher Preparation provides courses in mathematics and science content and methods integrated with design and technology for pre-service teachers taught in the college classroom with a field placement in the Trenton Schools.