In collaboration with Liberty Science Center (LSC), the Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) at Rutgers University-Newark was awarded a grant by the U.S. Department of Education in 2014, launching “Excite and Ignite: Building the Next Generation of Teachers” (NextGen), with Jersey City Public Schools as a third partner. This grant-funded partnership focuses on pre-service teacher development in order to build stronger teachers, especially in STEM.

Steven Roberts, a STEM Educator at Liberty Science Center, demonstrated the potential for engaging students in science at a NextGen kick-off event in February 2015 at Rutgers-Newark.

In early 2015, Rutgers launched the grant through two events that highlighted the power of strong teachers, including one at Liberty Science Center that engaged alumni and pre-service teachers.

UTEP alumni and future teachers gathered at the Liberty Science Center to support the grant efforts.

Patrick McQuillian, Liberty Science Center’s Vice President for STEM Education, shared the importance of STEM education.

In 2016, Liberty Science Center hosted the inaugural professional development institute for UTEP teacher candidates entering their final semester. During the institute, participants investigated LSC’s resources, learned new teaching strategies, and delivered lessons to Liberty High School students from Jersey City. One group crafted an interactive lesson on camouflage and warning coloration, based on our Eat and Be Eaten exhibit. Another group built a hands-on lesson around local food webs, using Our Hudson Home exhibit for inspiration.

Chris Dufford, a member of LSC’s Animal Husbandry team, presented a horseshoe crab to UTEP teacher candidates as part of their discussion about local ecosystems.

For the second week of the professional development institute, the teacher candidates explored teaching strategies at local museums, synthesizing best practices into lessons for East Side High School students from Newark.

Lauren Morse, Teacher Programs Developer at LSC, presented during the inaugural professional development institute, showcasing the theme of “Thinking Outside the Box.

UTEP collaborated with Lauren Morse, LSC’s Teacher Programs Developer, to craft the professional development institute. Supported by the NextGen grant, Lauren creates tailored programs, provides individualized support, and connects teacher candidates with LSC’s STEM resources. Liberty Science Center is also hiring for another grant-funded role to mentor the new teachers as they transition into the classroom full-time.

We are excited to continue promoting informal STEM resources and inquiry-based learning in partnership with UTEP, with the NextGen grant running through 2019.