New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellowship

Sept. 4, 2019

Thirty New Jersey teachers were selected as the 2019-2020 New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellows.  The program was developed by Math for America (MƒA), a nationally recognized STEM education nonprofit, with Teacher Prep at Princeton University, Montclair University and Rowan University.

The 30 teachers attended the inaugural New Jersey STEM Innovation Fellowship institute on August 22 and 23, 2019.  Throughout the school year the fellows will implement a research-based elementary math teaching routine called “number strings” shown to help students – particularly in high-needs schools – develop flexible computational thinking skills to thrive in mathematics in the early grades. “Number strings are brief teaching routines that have been shown to boost teachers’ confidence in facilitating mathematical discussions, and substantially improve student-learning outcomes,” said Michael Driskill, National Director of Advocacy at MƒA. “We are excited to build strong relationships through this fellowship with school and district leaders in New Jersey who trust teachers to drive innovation from their classrooms.” During the school year, 10 of the fellows will meet each month as a professional learning community with Teacher Prep at Princeton.

“New Jersey has some of the best public school teachers in the nation, who are committed to helping students reach their greatest potential,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This STEM Innovation pilot will help teachers implement new, teaching practices and will enable them to further provide our children with the skills they need to prosper in the innovation economy.”

The STEM Innovation Fellowship is created with support from Princeton Trustee Laura Bilodeau-Overdeck ‘91 and the Overdeck Family Foundation.  Other supporters include Governor Murphy’s Administration, New Jersey Department of Education, and JerseyCAN, as well as PSEG Foundation, Celgene Corporation, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), and the Maher Charitable Foundation.

Visit the NJ STEM Innovation Fellows page.