Leading Organizations:
Camden County College, Camden Dream Center, Salem Community College and Mindbytes
Margo Venable
Dean, Camden County College
MVenable@camdencc.edu
Keith Davis
President & CEO, Camden Dream Center
kdavis@kflcamdendreamcenter.org
Pavithra Lakshminarayan
Creator & Chief, Mindbytes
pavithra.lakshminarayan@gmail.com
Ken Robell
Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Salem Community College
krobell@salemcc.edu
Who We Are
The South Jersey STEM & Innovation Partnership is a diverse community of individuals, institutions and industry. We collaborate to ensure an inclusive STEM culture that champions access to innovation, opportunity, equity, and lifelong learning. We are making South Jersey the “Go-To” place for STEM Talent.
Our mission is to grow and align assets and efforts to develop, implement, replicate and take to scale evidence-based, interdisciplinary innovations that will better prepare all learners within the region for the 21st. Century’s rapidly evolving STEM economy.
Stakeholders include Camden County College, Camden City School District, The Camden Dream Center, Cisco, Cumberland County College, Mindbytes, Rowan University, Rutgers University Camden, Salem Community College and Siemens.
Our Programs
Hack SJSIP!
In Spring, 2018, The South Jersey STEM & Innovation Partnership (SJSIP) hosted its first annual Internet of Things (IoT) Hackathon, based on the Cisco Hackathon Playbook framework, for high school students at Camden County College.
Over the course of 12 hours, the one-day Hackathon event, nicknamed “Hack SJSIP,” brought together teams of high school students, supported by college student and industry mentors, and asked them to develop technological innovative solutions to real-life challenges of their choosing.
21st Century Summer Program - Partnership with Siemens Corporation
In Summer 2018, SJSIP-lead Camden County College hosted its 21st Century Summer Program. The 4-week program included daily activities and weekly field trips every Friday, including trips to The Battleship New Jersey, The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Lowes Retail Hardware Store for various job training and environmental science lessons, The Yogi Berra Museum and more!
As a special project, the students were trained on the GEAR UP UNIVERSITY /SOLID EDGE CAD software, developed by SIEMENS Corporation. The goal was for the students to become adept at using the software to create 3D designs and begin the process of learning to use CAD software to prepare for various careers in engineering, graphic design and manufacturing. The training culminated in a competition between 4 teams for the best design of a sports related item in a “Shark Tank” like setting. The event was held with the collaboration of The Yogi Berra Museum, Siemens and Camden County College.
Strategic Advisory Board
Building a Strategic Advisory Board of regional employers to understand business needs and collaboratively solve the biggest issues faced by industry in the region.
Digital Studies for 21st Century Workforce
Advancing digital literacy partnerships with regional school districts in formal and informal learning environments. Expansion of Cisco Networking Academies located in Camden City School District to build 21st century workforce skills.