20 Camden Schools Come Together to Showcase Student STEM Projects from Across City.
MEDIA ADVISORY
MARCH 18, 2025
Contact: Mike Neilon, (610) 613-2664, mneilon@bellevuepr.com.
CAMDEN, NJ:
Camden Education Fund will host the first-ever Camden Citywide STEM Showcase on Friday, March 21. The Camden Citywide STEM Showcase aims to foster a love for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) among urban youth in the Camden area.
The event will be open to students from various grade levels across district, renaissance, and charter schools. Student projects will range from focuses on robotics and technology to projects focused on evolution. To encourage participation and showcase varied STEM projects, the first year of the fair will be non-competitive with prizes and giveaways for all participating students.
According to 2021 data from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), both African American and Hispanic workers are underrepresented in STEM occupations nationwide. As a majority minority city, more than 90% of Camden’s population is comprised of Black and Latino residents, with schools reflecting this rich diversity. Creating equitable STEM education opportunities that are supportive and inclusive for all students is crucial for boosting diversity in the profession.
“This event seeks to inspire and celebrate high-quality STEM learning happening across the city’s public schools,” shared Giana Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of Camden Education Fund. “Early exposure to STEM education can help close the diversity gap in the field and students’ career trajectories, and we hope Camden’s first citywide STEM Showcase can be a part of that.”
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is thrilled to be part of Camden’s first citywide STEM Showcase,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “We recognize the importance of introducing STEM to children at an early age, and we are proud to support this event through the Foundation’s One Water Street Grant Program. We hope that this event will inspire more Camden students to develop an interest in STEM as they grow.”
WHO:
- Giana Campbell, CEO, Camden Education Fund
- Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation
- Grand Hank, Master Scientist and Television Personality
- State Superintendent Katrina McCombs
- School Leaders
- 150-200 Students
WHEN:
Friday, March 21
10:15 – 11:15 am
(Full event is 10am – 1pm)
WHERE:
1725 Park Blvd at The Majorie and Lewis Katz Community Center
(Former Boys & Girls Club – Parkside)
ADDITIONAL VISUALS:
- The Science Lab of Grand Hank – Live Science Demonstration
- Student-led visuals/projects including:
- Coding a robot to play basketball
- Coding LEGO pieces to build an interactive carnival
- Designing and building an egg catcher
- Miniature golf carts designed to real scale
- Robotics demonstration in the pool
ABOUT CAMDEN EDUCATION FUND:
The Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress in Camden’s public school system. CEF works with families, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education. CEF then provides grants and develops strategic partnerships to address these citywide needs. Grantees include schools, non-profits, and universities.
The ‘Supporting All Learners’ Grant Program Identifies Initiatives at Five Camden High Schools Making Learning More Accessible to All Students.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Mike Neilon, (610) 613-2664, mneilon@bellevuepr.com.
CAMDEN, NJ:
On Thursday, January 16. Camden Education Fund will bring together five school partners at Camden Charter School Network – Camden Academy Charter High School to announce the ‘Supporting All Learners’ grant program, which will provide $1.1 million to Camden High Schools, including: Camden High School, Camden Prep High School, Camden Academy Charter High School, Mastery High School of Camden, and Eastside High School. The grant program will provide programs and supports to approximately 400 Camden students across the five school grantees.
The grant program invited all Camden high schools to apply and identified five schools with actionable plans on how to create more targeted learning opportunities for students who need differentiated programs and more supports including: English language learner students, students with disabilities, and students who are behind or off track academically. The Center for Learner Equity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities have equitable access to a high-quality public education, is providing technical assistance to help school grantees set and reach goals.
WHO:
- Giana Campbell, CEO, Camden Education Fund
- Camden City Schools Superintendent Katrina McCombs
- Superintendent Joseph Conway & Principal Dara Ash, Camden Academy Charter High School
- Student Performers from Camden Charter Academy High School & Eastside High School
- State and Local Elected Officials
WHAT:
A gathering of district leaders, grantee school leaders, students, and non-profit partners at Camden Academy Charter High School to announce the Supporting All Learners Grant Program. A speaking program will be followed by a brief student performance, along with a walk-through of two Camden Academy Charter High School Algebra and U.S. History classrooms that are already piloting their grant area focuses by engaging students in collaborative activities to better support the school’s growing English language learner population.
WHEN:
Thursday, January 16, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Camden Academy Charter High School
250 Federal St.
Camden, NJ 08105
ABOUT CAMDEN EDUCATION FUND:
The Camden Education Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating progress in Camden’s public school system. CEF works with families, school partners, and community leaders to identify citywide needs in education. CEF then provides grants and develops strategic partnerships to address these citywide needs. Grantees include schools, non-profits, and universities.