By: Richard L. Smith
North Bergen was represented well this past week at New Jersey's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Pathways Network Showcase held at the State House in Trenton, where educators and their students had the opportunity to present their work to elected officials from across the state including North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco.
Held at the culmination of STEM Month, a legislatively recognized holiday in March, Heather Ricco, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at North Bergen's S.T.E.A.M. Academy, and her students Emerald Tse and Samantha Nunez, demonstrated their work with chromatography and electrophoresis.
"Mrs. Ricco and her students, Emerald and Samantha, represented the S.T.E.A.M. Academy and the Township of North Bergen with poise, grace, and extreme brilliance," said Superintendent Dr. George Solter.
"Everyone who stopped by their booth could not believe they were only in 6th grade- the science work they did was on the High School level. We are so proud of all these students' work and that our Township has educational institutions like S.T.E.A.M.
Academy that allows students to immerse themselves and hone their interests in STEM-based academia through an advanced and focused course curriculum."
Each year, the New Jersey STEM Pathways Network and the Research & Development Council celebrate NJ STEM Month with a 'STEM Showcase' in Trenton in order to give STEM organizations from across the state the opportunity to showcase their work within New Jersey's STEM pipeline.
"I was so impressed with these young North Bergen scholars and their ability to showcase such high levels of understanding on complex topics - they absolutely taught me a thing or two," added Mayor Sacco.
"Having STEM-focused learning opportunities in our Township is critical to preparing our youth to thrive and succeed in our current tech age, and these students proved why these investments are well worthwhile."