Brick Teachers Partner With Stevens Institute to Enrich Science Lessons

Reflecting the Brick school district's focus on science, technology and math learning, two Emma Havens Young Elementary School teachers are participating in a Stevens Institute of Technology program to bolster the school's first STEM classroom.

STEM – which stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics – classrooms are part of a national focus aimed at directing students to areas of interest which could lead them to career success. At Emma Havens, students in grades 3-5 have been off to a good start in the school's dedicated STEM room.

Last week, teachers Jaime Pratt and Jeanette Wehner took part in the Stevens program, putting scientific principles to the test by designing impact-proof containers to ship humanitarian supplies, learning why raisins jump around in seltzer and how exactly dish detergent cleans. 

The Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, an outreach program from Stevens, designed the day of engaging activities as part of its Partnership to Improve Student Achievement – or PISA2 – program.

The program provides 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 program kicked off with week-long courses over the summer of 2013 and kept up the rigorous pace with three professional development days during the school year and monthly classroom visits from science and engineering experts.

The teachers utilize enhanced instructional techniques and provide students with an abundance of experimentation opportunities and project-based learning opportunities within their STEM classroom, according to district officials.

The STEM focus in Brick is not limited to the elementary grades. The Board of Education, in 2012, approved new science labs for Brick Township High School.