New Jersey STEM Month March 2018

History… Beginning in 2015, the Research & Development Council of New Jersey spearheaded the launch of a New Jersey STEM Week. For the past three years, NJ STEM Week has been an annual March event created via gubernatorial proclamation and legislative resolution.

New Jersey State Legislature. In 2018, with the support of Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker’s office, the entire month of March will now be designated New Jersey STEM Month by the New Jersey State Legislature.

In partnership with New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN), the Research & Development Council of NJ calls ALL organizations in the state of New Jersey to showcase and celebrate excellent work in STEM for the newly designated NJ STEM Month in March 2018.

NJ STEM Month Events Throughout March, events will be held throughout New Jersey to support the state’s commitment to excellence in STEM. To highlight your STEM Month event and find the master calendar of events visit www.njstempathways.org

2017 New Jersey STEM Week celebrated at New Jersey Statehouse. As part of NJ STEM Month 2018, on March 26th, the NJSPN and R&D Council of NJ have been invited to the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton to showcase their work. 2017 New Jersey STEM Week celebrated at New Jersey Statehouse.

Why Celebrate STEM? New Jersey’s Achievements/Opportunities

New Jersey is a STEM Powerhouse New Jersey has the most scientists and engineers per square mile in the universe! Bloomberg U.S. Innovation Index consistently ranks New Jersey in the top 5 in innovation - in 2016 New Jersey was ranked #4 New Jersey is home to 8-time Nobel Prize powerhouse Nokia Bell Labs

New Jersey is a STEM Powerhouse Medicine Chest of the World: More than 300 biotechnology companies and 20 pharmaceutical and medical technology firms call New Jersey home 13 out of the world’s top 20 have major facilities in the state 120,000 employees 29% of FDA drugs approved in the world were from New Jersey headquartered companies, and if you count those companies that have a presence in NJ, that amount increased to nearly 50%. Merging of Rutgers and UMDNJ have made NJ’s state university ranks among the nation’s top 30 in research funding-research grants and sponsored programs totaled $637.9 million

New Jersey is ranked #12 in the nation for the number of current STEM or STEM-related jobs. Of the more than 6 million New Jersey high school students, only 1.6 million are interested in pursuing a STEM career. In New Jersey, there are 1.4 open STEM jobs for every unemployed person. Sources: Change the Equation; Smithsonian Science Education Center; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Innovation; U.S. Department of Commerce

STEM workers earn 26% more than their non-STEM counterparts. In 2016, there were 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs in US. Sources: Change the Equation; Smithsonian Science Education Center; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; U.S. Innovation; U.S. Department of Commerce

Impact…

New Jersey STEM Pathways Network (NJSPN)

Background The NJSPN, a public-private strategic alliance, was initiated by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education in 2014 to inform the alignment of STEM resources, support an education-to-workforce STEM pipeline, identify exemplary formal and informal learning opportunities, and promote STEM career pathway awareness. NJSPN is chaired by Laura Overdeck, Founder and President of Bedtime Math and Chair of the Overdeck Family Foundation. The Research & Development Council of New Jersey has been appointed the management partner of the group.

NJSPN Vision and Mission The NJ STEM Pathways Network, a public-private strategic alliance, defines and guides a statewide STEM vision for pre-K-to-workforce formal and informal learning opportunities that strengthen academic skills and inspire students; facilitates research and recommendations on STEM talent pipeline needs and barriers to success; and exposes students to the many educational pathways, experiences, and professionals that can prepare them for STEM degree programs and careers in New Jersey. Vision New Jersey attracts, cultivates and retains a 21st century workforce that is engaged and supported through statewide alignment of public and private STEM educational resources, ensuring the state remains globally competitive in STEM industries and continues its rich history of innovation.

2018 NJSPN Priorities Ensure access and equity for all in STEM Equity Action Group Promoting stackable qualifications, credentials and real-world connections Workforce Development Action Group Implementing multi-stakeholder collaboration to foster a systemic, grass- tops approach to advancing STEM Systems Approach to Advance STEM Action Group NJ STEM Learning Ecosystems NJ STEM Month Elevate New Jersey’s commitment and excellence in STEM

Get Involved Attend Quarterly Meetings Join an Action Group New Jersey STEM Pathways Network Quarterly Meeting Next Meeting March 8, 2018 Join an Action Group Equity Action Group Workforce Development Action Group Systems Approach to Advance STEM Action Action Group Special Events Action Group

Get Involved Visit www.njstempathways.org

Get Involved To get involved with the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network, please contact: Kim Case Phone: (973) 274-8336 Email: kcase@rdnj.org Alex Caronna Email: acaronna@cn-com.com

Learn more & Get involved Follow us @NJSTEMPathways Thank you! Learn more & Get involved www.njstempathways.org Follow us @NJSTEMPathways