2023
NJ STEM Month Recap
Take a look at NJ STEM Month 2023’s highlights.
NJ STEM Month 2023
NJ STEM Month is a celebration co-hosted by the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN), an initiative of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey (R&D Council of NJ), that highlights the Garden State’s incredible accomplishments in science, technology, engineering, math and innovation.
Through the work of the NJSPN and R&D Council of NJ, and with support of Governor Murphy via gubernatorial proclamation, the entire month of March has been designated NJ STEM Month. Happy NJ STEM Month!
NJ STEM Month 2023
By the Numbers
NJ STEM Month Mini-Grants
Thanks to the generosity of the Overdeck Family Foundation and Comcast, 2023 NJ STEM Month mini-grants of up to $500 were awarded to different organizations with the purpose of enhancing their STEM Month events. Interested in applying for a mini-grant next year but not sure what kind of event you’d like to host? Visit our 2023 mini-grant stories page for inspiration!
46
Participating Organizations
10,968
Learners
Impacted
18
Counties
Impacted
#NJSTEMMonth Twitter contest
All organizations are encouraged to join the conversation on Twitter by following @NJSTEMPathways and @RDCouncilNJ and using #NJSTEMMonth.
1 lucky winner receives an official NJ STEM Month gubernatorial proclamation along with other prizes.
Check out some of this year’s tweets!
STEM Showcase at the state house
On March 30th, several organizations had the chance to showcase their STEM work to legislators at the State House in Trenton. Watch our STEM Showcase highlight video on the right.
In addition to attending the in-person STEM Showcase at the State House, organizations had the opportunity to be featured in a STEM Showcase booklet which was handed out to the legislators. Check out the book by clicking on the link below.
STEM Month Awards
The NJ STEM Month Awards are opportunities to highlight the most outstanding examples of leadership, collaboration and achievement in STEM in New Jersey.
Take a look at the 2023 award winners below.
2023 STEM Month Awards Winners
STEM Advocate of the Year: New Jersey Technology and Engineering Educators Association (NJTEEA)
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.
NJTEEA’s work and passion for advocating STEM in NJ has been noted as an outstanding example of this award’s true purpose. NJTEEA’s dedication to increasing access to STEM education and career pathways through professional development, teacher recruitment, legislative advocacy, networking and more truly embodies what this award is all about.
STEM Civic Leadership Award: Reeti Rout, President at WeMake 4-H
Reeti was awarded this honor for her dedication to increasing the number of women in STEM through STEM 4-her and her volunteerism with WeMake 4-H.
STEM Collaboration of the Year: Governor’s STEM Scholars and the Network Contagion Research Institute
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.
This year’s STEM Collaboration honorees worked together throughout the year to create a Governor’s STEM Scholar Social Cyber Forensics Lab, a first-of-its-kind initiative to train New Jersey high school students in the emerging field of cyber-social threat identification and forecasting.
STEM Corporate Champion of the Year: Allan Croly, Senior Program Manager at Lockheed Martin
An honor highlighting an organization that has demonstrated a deep commitment to supporting New Jersey’s STEM economy.
Allan earned this award for supporting the Delran STEM Ecosystem. From helping Delran receive funding to coordinating volunteers to participate at their annual STEM Fair, he has been an integral part of all that this award encompasses.
STEM Educator of the Year: Krystina Valdes, Science Teacher at North Brunswick Township Middle School
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.
Krystina was chosen for this award for her tireless commitment to expanding STEM education and making it inclusive for all students.
Check out our NJ STEM Month one-pager!
This document provides additional information about NJ STEM Month that can easily be shared with others.