What is a STEM league? The NJ Interscholastic STEM League is a grassroots organization designed by high school and middle teachers working together with industry who want to help students learn how to apply STEM when solving real life problems. In its pilot 2014 year the league grew from four teams in Bergen County to sixteen teams in northern NJ. Be the first teams in central and southern regions to spread the league!
The goal of the Interscholastic STEM league is to create an academic competition environment much like that of interscholastic sports. In doing so, teachers will collaborate with other STEM teachers in designing competitive challenge events that apply science, technology, engineering and math. After participating in the league professionals can expect many personal benefits like increased enthusiasm from your students, professional growth, comparisons with other district facilities, improved technology resources in your district and collaboration with teachers and industry.
After joining the league, teams consisting of 10 players will be grouped with local middle and high school districts. Teams grouped for competition are scheduled for competition in at least three local events with 3 to 5 other teams and one tournament that includes all of the teams in the league. The dates of those events will be determined after coaches check their school calendars for available dates.
Competitions are scheduled during the school day and will allow teams to return as close as possible by the end of the school day. Coaches will be trained on how to prepare for and host an event at their school. After the teams participate and learn how to coordinate events, teams will be expected to host one event the following year. The event timeline follows the Engineering Design Loop and will use a league rubric to evaluate to what extent teams have implemented the STEM theme. Industry will be invited to introduce the real life situation for the STEM challenge theme and judge the event.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!! To join get more information go to the league blog site and contact Jim Drechsel from Waldwick HS – drechselj@waldwickschools.org
Join the NJ Interscholastic STEM League &
Be Scheduled for Competition with Teams in Your Area!
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