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Freeholder Board Awards First STEM Scholars Grants

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that award of grants for elementary and middle schools in 15 school districts through the new Union County STEM Scholars grant program. The program launched this year under Freeholder Chairman Granados’ “Moving Union County Forward” Plant-A-Seed initiative with the goal of enabling local school districts to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs for younger students.

“This year we set forth a series of “Moving Union County Forward” initiatives working together with the school districts across Union County, to help our residents excel in educational and career goals,” said Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados. “The new STEM Scholars program helps open up more opportunities for elementary and middle school students to practice foundational STEM skills like teamwork and leadership, and prepare them to take on the challenging curriculum of high school STEM topics.”

“Providing STEM lessons in an inclusive and supportive environment helps younger students develop self-confidence, curiosity and innovative thinking,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak. “The next generation of STEM leaders is growing up before our eyes, and we want to ensure that every child has an opportunity to explore STEM topics in their schools and communities.”

The inspiration for the grant program comes from the Freeholder Hudak’s mother, Susan L. Hudak. Ms. Hudak was a dedicated member of the educational community of Union County for many years, both as a member of the Linden Board of Education and as a volunteer. Her work included the establishment of a Monthly Friday Family Science Night, a program that ran for 25 years at School No. 6 in Linden for students and their families.

The STEM Scholars program awarded grants in the following areas of concentration:

  • Project Based Learning: Creative, STEM-integrated, educational programming.
  • Afterschool STEM: Projects and programming that focus on extra-curricular learning, including science fairs, STEM clubs, monthly labs and workshop.
  • Out-of-School STEM: Creative STEM experiences out of the classroom, to better prepare students for STEM work in the classroom, and in the workforce.

List of awardees:

TownsSchoolArea RequestedAward Granted
Berkeley HeightsWilliam Woodruff Elementary SchoolProject Based Learning$482.41
Berkeley HeightsWilliam Woodruff Elementary SchoolProject Based Learning$2,500.00
ClarkFrank K. Hehnly SchoolProject Based Learning$494.98
CranfordHillside Avenue SchoolProject Based Learning$520.00
CranfordWalnut Avenue SchoolProject Based Learning$520.00
CranfordLivingston Avenue SchoolProject Based Learning$520.00
CranfordOrange Avenue SchoolProject Based Learning$520.00
CranfordBrookside Place SchoolProject Based Learning$500.00
ElizabethGeorge Washington AcademyAfterschool STEM$1,647.80
ElizabethJ. Christian Bollwage AcademyAfterschool STEM$500.00
ElizabethTerence C. Reilly # 7Out of School STEM$500.00
ElizabethJohn E. Dwyer Technology AcademyAfterschool STEM$1,000.00
ElizabethFrank J. Cicarell Academy HSAfterschool STEM$1,235.85
HillsideHurden Looker SchoolProject Based Learning$500.00
HillsideGeorge Washington ElementaryAfterschool STEM$354.00
HillsideCalvin Coolidge Elementary SchoolProject Based Learning$440.00
HillsideWalter O. Krumbiegel Middle SchoolProject Based Learning and Afterschool STEM$438.00
HillsideA.P. Morris Early Childhood CenterProject Based Learning$1,385.70
HillsideHillside High SchoolProject Based Learning$473.60
KenilworthSaint Theresa SchoolProject Based Learning$500.00
LindenSchool 8Afterschool STEM$500.50
LindenSchool # 2Afterschool STEM$500.00
LindenSchool # 5Afterschool STEM$500.00
LindenSchool # 9Afterschool STEM$500.00
LindenSchool # 1Out of school STEM$500.00
LindenElementary School # 6Afterschool STEM$500.00
LindenHighland Avenue School # 10Afterschool STEM$500.00
LindenLinden School 4Afterschool STEM$500.00
MountainsideDeerfield SchoolProject Based Learning$1,000.00
New ProvidenceSalt Brook Elementary SchoolAfterschool STEM$480.00
New ProvidenceMorris-Union Jointure CommissionProject Based Learning$500.00
PlainfieldPlainfield Acamdemy of Arts and Advance StudiesProject Based Learning$500.00
RahwayFranklin & Madison Elementary SchoolsProject Based Learning$1,199.00
RoselleWashington Elementary SchoolProject Based Learning$500.00
Scotch PlainsPark Middle School 1Afterschool STEM$800.00
Scotch PlainsPark Middle School 2Project Based Learning$500.00
Scotch PlainsTerrill Middle SchoolProject Based Learning$500.00
SpringfieldJonathan Dayton High SchoolAfterschool STEM$500.00
SpringfieldSt. James the ApostleAfterschool STEM$800.00
SummitBrayton Elementary SchoolProject Based Learning$316.21
Total$26,628.05

Photo credit: US Department of Education.

For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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