HSMC STEM Ecosystem [New Jersey]

Hunterdon County, Somerset County, and Mercer County

HSMC STEM Ecosystem [New Jersey] logo

About

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HSMC (Hunterdon County, Somerset County, and Mercer County) STEM Ecosystem believes in the foundational principle that communities must come together for the benefit of providing equitable opportunities for all in STEM. The ecosystem is comprised of schools from throughout Hunterdon, Somerset, and Mercer Counties in New Jersey, business industries, higher education institutions, private and public preschools, local arts organizations, environmental education centers, after school and before school providers, and municipal leaders.

All partners will work with the intention to unite efforts for equitable access to early childhood STEM education, communities to impact New Jersey’s STEM workforce gap, and to ensure students have a positive STEM identity. HSMC (Hunterdon County, Somerset County, and Mercer County) STEM Ecosystem members commit to the guiding principles that provide STEM opportunities for all students, support to community leaders, and partnerships between K-12 institutions, higher education institutions and the community at large.

MISSION
The ecosystem’s mission is to unite efforts within communities to foster a positive STEM identity for all students.

VISION
To create STEM opportunities for all students, empower community leaders with support, and foster active partnerships between K-12 schools and higher education institutions.

STEM FOCUS AREAS

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Girls in STEM/STEAM
  • Integration of STEM across disciplines
  • STEM Career Awareness
  • STEM Early Learning

Key Programs

Exxon Mobil: Girls in STEM: In an effort to engage more girls in STEM, Exxon Mobil scientists spend the day with 8th grade girls for a day filled with STEM-tastic learning! Eighth grade student Leah Kemp shared with the School Superintendent, “Most groups say that girls should be involved in [STEM} not just because they’re girls, but because it’s interesting. I’m involved in [STEM] because it’s interesting! I’m involved because I like science and the hands-on approach.” The eighth-grade girls spend the day with engineers to practice their skills at collaboration, problem-solving, brainstorming, with some math, science, creativity, and ingenuity thrown-in.

Siemens Greenpower Racecars: Greenpower Education Trust is a UK based charity with a focus on student discovery of careers in engineering through the excitement of motorsport. Teams of students aged 9 to 25 from across the globe compete at Greenpower events in the UK and other countries including USA, Poland and China. The annual International Final takes place at venues such as the UK’s Silverstone National Circuit and Goodwood Motor Circuit.

HSMC/TCNJ (The College of New Jersey) Free Teacher PDs: HSMC and TCNJ partner for annual free teacher professional development in STEM. Teachers from across the state attend, gaining new insight and understanding, as well as, takeaway lessons to infuse authentic STEM learning in their classrooms.

Pitsco STEM Clubs: Students in grades K-8 are selected to participate in STEM learning clubs, utilizing Pitsco STEM kits, to enrich their general education and provide additional pathways for equitable access to STEM education and learning.

Women in STEM Lunch and Learn: ​The Lunch and Learn program was co-sponsored by the National Science Honor Society and a Robotics team. Individuals were invited to talk to young girls and teens about STEM careers and the paths they can access to get there.

Hunterdon Robotics: Hunterdon Robotics believes in sparking interest in STEM at an early age. Over 90% of their alumni have gone on to college in a STEM-related field. This partner group works closely with other local organizations to support numerous STEM clubs.

Girl Scout STEM Night: The Girl Scout STEM event was led by a local Girl Scout Troop. The girls work on their “Robotics” badge and participate in STEM activities and learning events.

Family Maker Night Challenges: ​These nights are focused on bringing the community together to engage in learning and “making” together. Student agency and leadership from students is promoted through peer leaders. The College of New Jersey and the Robotics Clubs, as well as Women in STEM club members participate.

New Jersey Makers Day: ​Community members of all ages join together in a fun-filled day with creative hands-on activities with a STEM focus. New Jersey Maker’s Day, held in downtown Flemington, brings together innovation, creativity, and inspires growth in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, math and more. Maker’s Day seeks to enhance community engagement and facilitate connections among New Jersey residents by exploring new and interesting opportunities for community-wide education, entrepreneurship, and hands-on learning experiences.

Partners

  • Barnes & Noble Booksellers
  • Borough of Flemington Council
  • Bright Tomorrows Child Care Center, Hunterdon Healthcare
  • Brookdale Community College
  • CBL+HCC: Community Based Learning + Hunterdon Community Connections
  • Chief Science Officers
  • The College of New Jersey
  • The Courier News
  • County Superintendents of Schools for Hunterdon, Sumerset & Mercer Counties, NJ Department of Education
  • Education Program Specialists: Sumerset, Hunterdon, Mercer Counties, NJ Department of Education
  • Flemington-Raritan Education Foundation
  • Flemington-Raritan School District Board of Education
  • Greter Raritan Workforce Investment Board
  • Home News Tribune
  • Hunterdon Central Robotics Team 3637
  • Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
  • Hunterdon County Division of Parks & Recreation
  • Hunterdon County YMCA
  • Hunterdon Healthcare
  • Hunterdon County School Superintendents
  • Kentfields Foundation
  • Lego Education
  • Offices of Education: Sumerset, Hunterdon, Mercer Counties, NJ Department of Education
  • Mayor Flemington Borough
  • Mayor Raritan Township
  • Mercer County Technical Schools
  • Mercer County School Superintendents
  • NJ Advance Media
  • NJ Commissioner of Education, Dr. Lamont Repollet
  • New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
  • New Jersey STEM Strategic Advisory Board
  • Pitsco Education
  • Princeton University
  • Raritan Headwaters
  • Raritan Valley Community College
  • Research & Development Council of New Jersey
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Somerset County Park Commission
  • TAPinto
  • Siemens
  • Somerset County School Superintendents
  • The Watershed Institute
  • Young Audiences, Art for Learning
  • Young Rembrandts
  • Zone7

Additional Info

HSMC STEM Ecosystem is part of New Jersey STEM Ecosystems statewide initiative. Replicating the National STEM Learning Ecosystems model, the NJSPN has fostered the creation of eight STEM Learning Ecosystems to advance collaboration across educators, business, government and community-based organizations in order to form more integrated cradle-to-career pipelines.

Representing all 21 New Jersey counties, the Ecosystems are opportunities to address unique regional challenges, while also providing a space to pilot, scale and replicate work that expands a statewide vision of STEM.

New Jersey Pathways Logo

Family Maker Night Challenges

Family Maker Night Challenges

Family Maker Night Challenges

Family Maker Night Challenges

Contact

Ralph Losanno, Supervisor of Technology
rlosanno@frsd.k12.nj.us

Kari McGann, Superintendent of Schools
kmcgann@frsd.k12.nj.us

Flemington-Raritan School District

 

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