We Are STEAM
The Newark STEM Ecosystem is a 50 member cross-sector collaborative established in 2016 to prepare Newark students for STEAM careers and workforce opportunities. Our mission is to create a resource-rich ecosystem that prepares Newark’s PreK-16 students to fully participate in a 21st century workforce. Our Core Values Include:
- We Acknowledge Science & the Arts are Symbiotic—The Scientific Method and Design Process is intrinsically linked, aligned & work better together than apart.
- We Believe in the Arts—The Arts processes of Creativity, Design & Innovation are fundamental to achieving a deeper understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
- We Believe in Creativity & Inquiry-Based Learning— Creativity is essential to deepening learning, improving outcomes and preparing for the workforce in a STEAM Continuum.
- We are Inclusive AND Aspirational—We recognize the significance of each STEAM discipline to our collective, and commit to deepening our knowledge across fields to develop a cohesive STEAM pipeline.
Our Ecosystem
Our coalition is comprised of 50 organizations representing the following sectors:
- Higher Education
- Pre-K Through Grade 12
- Business and Corporations
- Out of School Programs
- Funders & Philanthropic Organizations
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Community-Based Organizations
Our Priorities
Aligning STEAM in-school and Out-of-school Programs
Support STEAM Programming, CTE, Robotics, Geo-Science, Environmental, and Creative Tech
Workforce Development
Develop Tool that Aligns Schools with Business and Corporate Partners
Professional Development
Provide yearly PD Sessions for Middle and High school Educators
Our Strategic Goals
- Increase the percentage of Newark youth entering STEAM/ STEM educational and career pathways by enhancing processes that support equitable access.
- Grow interdisciplinary learning experiences (In-school/OST) that are culturally relevant, and career focused.
- Enhance STEAM-based learning standards (In-school/OST) to ensure that Newark learners are globally competitive.
Newark’s Opportunity
- Newark is a City of Creativity, Innovation and Learning. The city educates over 80,000 students daily.
- Newark plays host major Tech conferences, Amazon Alexa and MetroLab Network 2018 National Summit.
- The nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $178.3 million industry in the City of Newark—one that supports 4,963 full- time equivalent jobs and generates $15.6 million in local and state government revenue (2017 The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Study).
- Newark is home to major corporate industries, Panasonic, Audible Inc., Prudential, Prudential Center, MARS, Horizon, and PSE&G
- Newark is home to major arts and cultural institutions, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, The Newark Museum, The Newark Library, Newark Arts, WBGO, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, many Art Galleries.
