New Jersey STEM Month, celebrated every March since 2018, is a shining example of how coordinated efforts can promote STEM education, innovation, and workforce development. Organized by the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN) and the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, this month-long event has grown into a powerful platform for showcasing the state’s accomplishments in science, technology, engineering, and math while engaging learners, educators, businesses, and policymakers.
Key Highlights of NJ STEM Month 2025
- Kickoff Event: NJ STEM Month 2025 began on February 28 at Genmab in Plainsboro. The event brought together 100 STEM leaders and featured a gubernatorial proclamation reading by students from McManus Middle School and a keynote by Luke St. Amand, CTO of Lectec. Attendees explored exhibits from organizations like American Water, STEM Like a Girl, and Students 2 Science. Learn more about the kickoff event.
- Mini-Grants: This year, $25,849 in mini-grants were distributed to 49 organizations across 19 counties, directly impacting over 15,000 learners. These grants supported a variety of STEM events and activities throughout March.
- STEM Showcase at the State House: Held on March 27, this event allowed legislators to engage with students and community leaders showcasing their STEM projects. It demonstrated the importance of STEM initiatives to policymakers. Read about the State House Showcase.
- Awards: The month recognized standout contributors to STEM education with awards such as “STEM Advocate of the Year” and “STEM Educator of the Year,” celebrating individuals and organizations driving innovation in the state.
“We are ecstatic to be in our eighth year celebrating March as New Jersey STEM Month. NJ STEM Month has impacted over 250,000 learners over the years and we are eager to continue to expand its reach and get more learners of all ages excited about and engaged with STEM.”
A Model for Advocacy Through Ecosystems
Advocacy networks provide a powerful framework for driving systemic change by leveraging relationships, resources, and shared goals among partners. These dynamic systems unite grassroots organizations, policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to address complex challenges. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and amplifying historically marginalized voices, advocacy networks break down silos, influence policy, and create sustainable progress. This approach offers a model for ecosystem leaders aiming to drive meaningful, lasting change in their communities.
About New Jersey’s STEM Ecosystem Initiative
The New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN) is a strategic public-private alliance established in 2014 to define and guide a statewide vision for STEM education and workforce development. Managed by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey and funded by the Overdeck Family Foundation, NJSPN fosters collaboration among educators, businesses, government, and community organizations to create cradle-to-career STEM pathways. Central to its mission are the eight STEM Learning Ecosystems that span all 21 counties in New Jersey.
These ecosystems, including initiatives like the Newark STEM Ecosystem and South Jersey STEM & Innovation Partnership, address regional challenges while aligning efforts with statewide goals. By leveraging the national STEM Learning Ecosystems model, these communities develop innovative programs, align resources, and create opportunities for students and professionals to thrive in STEM fields. Together, they exemplify how localized efforts can contribute to a cohesive statewide strategy for cultivating a 21st-century workforce.
Why NJ STEM Month Matters for Ecosystem Leaders
NJ STEM Month exemplifies how STEM Ecosystems can be leveraged to advocate for education and workforce development:
- Engaging Legislators: Events like the State House Showcase provide direct opportunities for policymakers to witness the impact of STEM initiatives in their districts. Over time, this has led to increased legislative support for STEM programs.
- Building Public Awareness: By designating March as NJ STEM Month through gubernatorial proclamation and legislative support, NJSPN has elevated public awareness about the importance of STEM education. This visibility fosters stronger connections between communities and decision-makers.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: The success of NJ STEM Month stems from partnerships across government, education, industry, and community organizations. These collaborations align resources to create impactful programming that benefits learners statewide.
For leaders in the broader STEM Ecosystems Community of Practice, NJ STEM Month offers a replicable strategy for advocacy:
- Unified Messaging: Aligning members around a common theme amplifies impact. NJSPN’s use of social media campaigns (e.g., #NJSTEMMonth) encourages widespread participation and visibility.
- Policy Influence: By inviting legislators to events and showcasing grassroots efforts in their communities, Ecosystem leaders can build relationships that translate into policy support.
- Sustainable Funding: Mini-grants funded by partners like the Overdeck Family Foundation demonstrate how public-private partnerships can sustain local initiatives.
- Celebrating Successes: Recognizing achievements through awards and public events inspires continued engagement from educators, businesses, and community leaders.
Looking Ahead
As NJ STEM Month continues to expand its reach—impacting over 250,000 learners since its inception—it serves as a testament to what is possible when Ecosystems unite around a shared vision. For Ecosystem leaders nationwide, it offers inspiration for leveraging similar strategies to advocate for STEM education while fostering collaboration among partners.
To dive deeper into NJ STEM Month’s impact and highlights:
By celebrating successes like NJ STEM Month while advocating for systemic change through policy engagement, we can ensure that all learners have access to high-quality STEM opportunities that prepare them for future careers.
To learn more about NJ STEM Month and the impactful work of the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network, connect with Kim Case, Executive Director of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey and Director of NJSPN. Visit here for additional information and resources.
