Stevens partners with schools to provide Internet training to Trenton teachers
CIESE creates “savvy cyber teachers” thanks to funding from PSE&G
HOBOKEN, N.J. — As a result of a grant from the Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), Trenton school teachers had the opportunity this past spring to participate in a ten-week, hands-on Internet professional development program called “The Savvy Cyber Teacher®.” Developed at Stevens Institute of Technology, this program served to leverage prior PSE&G investments to the Trenton school district while augmenting district programs to create highly qualified teachers of science and mathematics. Along with Stevens’ Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education (CIESE), the partners in this project included The College of New Jersey’s (TCNJ) Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education in Ewing, New Jersey; and the Trenton Public School District in Trenton, New Jersey.
The purpose of this grant was to provide a professional development program focused on the use of technology to support the mathematics and science standards-based curriculum in K-5 classrooms in the Trenton Public School district. Through TCNJ’s “Teachers as Leaders and Learners” program (TALL) and CIESE’s “Savvy Cyber Teacher” program (SCT), participating teachers were presented with new and tested methodologies designed to help them implement practical lesson plans for students, while integrating technology into everyday lessons and activities. All teachers received continuing education credits as well as graduate credits for completing the course.
According to Meg Turner, Manager of District Outreach for CIESE, “The Savvy Cyber Teacher” program offers a hands-on experience in which teachers learn the technology skills necessary to effectively integrate online content into their classrooms, with a focus on real-time data and global telecollaborative projects, in order to engage students in real world science investigations. We are extremely appreciative of PSE&G’s contribution to this endeavor.”
W. Read, a pre-kindergarten teacher exclaimed, “At first I was a bit hesitant about taking the course, but now I’m so glad I did, because I love it, love it, love it! I had very low technology skills, and with Carol Shields (the CIESE instructor), it’s ok. She’s a caring person and she doesn’t mind helping out when I get in a bind. I’ve learned so much. I hope there is a part II.”
The participating schools in the Trenton School District were:
- Monument Elementary School
- Washington Elementary School
- Patton J. Hill Elementary School
- Parker Annex Elementary School
- Jefferson Elementary School
- King Middle School
“Through support of this educational program,” said CIESE Director Beth McGrath, “PSE&G reinforces its commitment to educational initiatives in communities throughout the state of New Jersey. By increasing the capacity of highly trained teachers in science and mathematics education in Trenton, PSE&G is supporting efforts to increase the pool and capabilities of New Jersey's high-tech workforce.”
About Stevens Institute of Technology
Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is one of the leading technological universities in the world dedicated to learning and research. Through its broad-based curricula, nurturing of creative inventiveness, and cross disciplinary research, the Institute is at the forefront of global challenges in engineering, science, and technology management. Partnerships and collaboration between, and among, business, industry, government and other universities contribute to the enriched environment of the Institute. A new model for technology commercialization in academe, known as Technogenesis®, involves external partners in launching business enterprises to create broad opportunities and shared value.
Stevens offers baccalaureates, master’s and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science and management, in addition to a baccalaureate degree in the humanities and liberal arts, and in business and technology. The university has a total enrollment of 2,150 undergraduate and 3,500 graduate students, with about 250 full-time faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. Additional information may be obtained from its web page at www.stevens.edu.
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