This award celebrates the individuals and/or organizations moving beyond silos to create a more connected New Jersey. The STEM Collaborator develops partnerships and combines resources to provide outstanding STEM programming and establish clear career pathways in their community and beyond. To qualify, submissions must exhibit collaborations between three or more individuals or organizations.
Dr. Mohamed and Dr. Smalls’ collaboration on the Vertical Farm Hydroponic STEM-Business Project connected the STEM and Social Sciences, Business & History Divisions at UCNJ, engaging 45+ students in a real-world, student-led initiative. By integrating engineering, technology, marketing, finance, and project management, the project not only cultivated fresh produce through sustainable vertical farming but also promoted food accessibility via the college’s food pantry and community events.