About NJ STEM Month
NJ STEM Month is a celebration co-hosted by the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN) and Research & Development Council of New Jersey that highlights the Garden State’s incredible accomplishments in science, technology, engineering, math and innovation.
With the support of Governor Murphy’s administration and then Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker’s office, NJ STEM Week expanded to include the entire month of March in 2018. March is now New Jersey STEM Month as designated by the New Jersey State Legislature and gubernatorial proclamation.
ALL organizations in the state are called to showcase and celebrate excellent work in STEM for NJ STEM Month by hosting/attending events and engaging on social media.
Become a NJ STEM Month STEMineer
Introducing our latest addition for this year: the NJ STEM Month STEMineers initiative! When you sign up to become a STEMineer, you will be added to an exclusive email list that grants you early access to STEM Month swag, mini-grant opportunities, and much more!
NJ STEM Month Events
You can participate in NJ STEM Month by identifying existing programs or events to showcase during March and add it to the state calendar. Our goal for 2024 is to impact 40,000 learners!
If your organization does not have an existing program or event to showcase during March, reach out to local organizations to discuss a potential partnership for a STEM Month event. You are also encouraged to create new opportunities for state partners to tour a program site or host a new event in your area. The goal is to showcase STEM in your region and spark conversation surrounding STEM in New Jersey.
Examples of NJ STEM Month events include…
Event-based Dialogue about STEM
- Business/industry,
- Post-secondary institutions,
- PK-12 school districts,
- Science centers, museums, aquariums,
- Non-profit partners,
- Faith-based organizations,
- Families; and more!
Virtual Site Tours
Invite external partners to come see your training facilities or workplaces. Site tours could include:
- Tours of local business and industry partners working in areas of science, technology, engineering, math and more,
- Tours of training facilities at a post-secondary institution,
- Tours of laboratories and other spaces designed for experiments and hands-on learning,
- Gallery walks.
Program Visits
Do you typically host learners to engage in a programmatic activity that enhances STEM skills? Invite others to join you in March to see how your program works. Examples might include:
- After school programs focused on STEM learning,
- Internships or apprenticeship activities,
- Post-secondary programming to engage students in STEM,
- Mentoring sessions.
Interactive/ Hands- on Challenges
These activities are meant to engage participants in problem solving and hands-on activities to get everyone excited about STEM. Sample challenges might look like:
- Coding Exercises,
- Math challenges,
- Building activities,
- Machine demonstrations; and more!
Event Resources
Invitation Language
Use this language to invite legislators, members of industry, or other important individuals to your NJ STEM Month event.
Informational One-Pager
Distribute this document at your event to provide additional information about NJ STEM Month.
Informational PowerPoint
Customize this presentation to fit your organization’s NJ STEM Month Event.
2023 Legislative Contacts
Handout containing the contact information of all New Jersey state legislators.
Press Release Language
Modify this sample press release language to generate publicity around your NJ STEM Month event.
OP-ED Guide
Use this guide from Harvard Kennedy School to write an OP-ED about NJ STEM Month.
Social Media
Download these templates to promote NJ STEM Month on your social media accounts.
Twitter Sweepstakes
All organizations are encouraged to join the conversation on Social Media by following @NJSTEMPathways and @RDCouncilNJ on Twitter, and by using #NJSTEMMonth.
Twitter Sweepstakes: Tweet using #NJSTEMMonth to be entered into our sweepstakes.
1 lucky winner will receive an official NJ STEM Month gubernatorial proclamation along with other prizes.
STEM Showcase
Each year, the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN) and the Research & Development Council celebrate NJ STEM Month with a ‘STEM Showcase’ at the State House. The STEM Showcase offers legislators and other policymakers the opportunity to meet with students, a diverse group of organizations, and business and school leaders to learn about their STEM initiatives.
In addition to the in-person STEM Showcase, organizations across the state are given the opportunity to submit an entry to be featured in our virtual STEM Showcase booklet that highlights the work they’ve done in STEM in the past year.
NJ STEM Month Awards
Help us identify New Jersey’s STEM Champions for 2024! Awards are open to all stakeholders responsible for learning, achievement and innovation in the state, including: schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, philanthropies, science centers/museums/aquariums, faith-based organizations, etc. Winners will be honored at the June quarterly meeting.
Awards and Descriptions
STEM Advocate of the Year
Celebrating a true spokesperson for STEM in New Jersey, this honor highlights an organization or individual who most effectively communicates the importance of STEM to New Jersey and its citizens. The NJSPN STEM Advocate of the Year is making big waves to ensure the Garden State continues to lead the nation in innovation and meaningful work.
STEM Civic Leadership Award
Organization or individual who demonstrates extraordinary civic leadership in STEM in their community. This award will be provided to those who have sought to improve and enhance the quality of STEM in their community through initiatives that include volunteerism, mentorship, and/or training.
STEM Collaboration of the Year
This award celebrates the individuals and/or organizations moving beyond silos to create a more connected in 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.
STEM Educator of the Year
Awarded to an individual or organization that has dedicated their time and energy to successfully improving STEM learning outcomes for students in New Jersey. The STEM Educator of the Year understands STEM as more than an acronym and promotes STEM as a way of thinking, developing a growth mindset and STEM identities in all learners.
Corporate STEM Champion of the Year
Awarded to a business that has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting New Jersey’s STEM economy through education and/workforce initiatives. Commitments must include a minimum of two different types of engagement (e.g. funding, volunteerism, leadership, advocacy, etc.).
NJ STEM Month Mini-Grants
Thanks to the generosity of the Overdeck Family Foundation, 2024 NJ STEM Month mini-grants are available in amounts of up to $500 for event/program enhancements.
Event/program enhancements can include hosting costs such as snacks, meals, transportation, materials, etc.
Become an NJ STEM Month Committee Member!
NJ STEM Month Host Committee Members commit to:
- Host a STEM Month event.
- Impacting a predetermined amount of learners.
- Take part in planning STEM Month events.
Support NJ STEM Month
Become a NJ STEM Month sponsor at any of our giving levels. By sponsoring this month long celebration you are:
- Giving New Jersey schools, students and families access to hands-on, STEM learning experiences through distribution of
mini grants. - Providing training for educators and students entering the workforce.
- Supporting regional events to bring deeper public awareness and a greater understanding of STEM career pathways.
- Elevating New Jersey’s status as a global leader in STEM and innovation.
To Make a Donation please make checks payable to The Research & Development Council of New Jersey; ATTN: New Jersey STEM Pathways Network.
NJ STEM Month Contact
Kim Case
kcase@rdnj.org
Shirley Mautone
smautone@rdnj.org