Hoboken’s Brandt Elementary School Recognized as Distinguished School for Commitment to STEM Success

(via Hoboken Schools)

Brandt Elementary School has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for its commitment to STEM curriculum and student success.

PLTW is the nation’s leading provider of K-12 STEM programs and recognizes districts and schools committed to increasing student access, engagement and achievement.

Brandt Elementary was the only elementary school in New Jersey to receive the prestigious PLTW Launch Award.

“It is a great honor to recognize these schools and districts for their commitment to students,” said Vince Bertram, president and CEO of PLTW. “These are the leaders in what education should look like.”

The PLTW Distinguished District recognition is a one-year designation that emphasizes K-12 student engagement. The schools and districts recognized are empowering students to thrive in an evolving world and have achieved exemplary results from their PLTW programs.

“We are thrilled to receive this award,” said Brandt Primary School Principal, Ms. Sandra Rodriguez. “PLTW is a great program that promotes students to design real-world solutions for real-world problems through creative, innovative, and inquiry-based learning. For us to be recognized for our curricular offerings, the number of students engaged and our wonderful children’s success within the coursework is fantastic. We are so proud of this and all of the other things that make Joseph F. Brandt Elementary School so special.”

Project Lead the Way’s nationally-recognized STEM program is used across Hoboken Public Schools at all grade levels.

“We are seeing all our schools utilize the STEM programs from exploratory learning in kindergarten right through to Biomedical Medical Science, Computer Science and Engineering in Grade 12 with excellent results across the entire district,” said Hoboken Public Schools Director of Innovative Programs, Mr. Christopher Della Fave. “By empowering students to adopt a design-thinking mind-set through compelling and engaging activities, projects, and problems and relate to the world around them – we are seeing increased engagement and excellent results across the entire district as they become creative, collaborative problem solvers ready to take on any challenge.”

Students across the Hoboken Public School District engage in numerous STEM learning opportunities beyond the core curricula. The district’s popular Passport to Learning After School Program includes a number of courses that encourage students to dive into computer programming, mathematics, zoology, engineering and chemistry.

District Gifted and Talented students will be competing in the State Finals of the U.S. Army’s STEAM Tank Challenge in October, and Hoboken High School students participated in a national chemistry tournament in St Louis a few months back. The Hoboken Schools are also excited about a newly established partnership with Coditum of Hoboken. This coding hub, established by Mr. Steven Fink, has worked closely with district administrators in planning for internships and integrated programs.

In addition to Project Lead the Way curriculum being delivered to all students virtually each day, the Hoboken Public School District graciously takes advantage of all the Stevens Institute of Technology, NJIT and Rutgers University have to offer. Hoboken Public School District students benefit greatly from Stevens’ middle school summer programs, the newly created ACES high school program to promote equitable STEM opportunities for all students, and the 6th Grade Ducklings Program.

Hoboken High School students interact regularly with NJIT and participate in the various engineering workshops and expositions hosted on their Newark campus and are also in their third year of participating in the Rutgers Pre-Medical Honors Program which runs for thirteen weeks at the start of each school year.

“I am very proud of what Hoboken public schools as we advance our mission towards educational excellence and empower students with valuable skills for success in education, the world of work, and life in general,” said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Christine Johnson.

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