A partnership of 50 teachers from 22 schools from the districts of Bayonne, Hoboken, Jersey City, Newark, Piscataway, Weehawken, and two non-public schools, together with Stevens Institute of Technology, Montclair State University, and Liberty Science Center, will provide teams of teachers with deeper science content knowledge, research-based professional development, and experience with innovative science and engineering curricula and materials for Grades 3-5. The Boston Museum of Science’s National Center for Technological Literacy is also a partner in this collaboration.  Teachers will participate in a dynamic and supportive learning community designed to address topics in key content areas in Grades 3-5 science, engineering, and technology education. Year 2 activities will focus on New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards 5.8 and 5.9 (earth, astronomy and space sciences) and 8.2 (technology education). 

An intensive, two-week summer institute will involve teachers in collaborative learning through engagement in science inquiry, engineering design, foundational learning in core science topics, and the development of a Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Learning Module (STEM Learning Module) that introduces topics in science through inquiry-based activities and use of the engineering design process.

Three professional development days during the school year and monthly classroom visits will support teachers as they implement content and materials during the school year.

Assessment of student and teacher learning will take place, within participating classrooms and in comparison classrooms.