Basking Ridge, NJ - Two high school students from Basking Ridge have been accepted into the prestigious Governor’s STEM Scholars program. Albert Caesar and Vinav Shah of Basking Ridge have been entered into the 2022-23 class. Caesar is a senior at Ridge High School, while Shah is a sophomore at the Pingry School, also located in Basking Ridge. The cohort is made up of 128 high school and college STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students from across the Garden State, the largest class the program has seen since its founding in 2013.
The Governor’s STEM Scholars is a public-private partnership between the Research & Development Council of New Jersey, the Office of the Governor, the state Department of Education, the state Secretary of Higher Education and public and private research institutions based in New Jersey.
In a press release announcing their admission, organizers said maintaining a pipeline of talented individuals is critical to maintaining excellence in innovation. In recognition of this, the Governor’s STEM Scholars was created to engage the next generation of research and innovation leaders.
“New Jersey has always been at the center of innovation excellence and scientific discovery led by some of the world’s most talented STEM professionals,'' said Anthony Cicatiello, president of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. "The Governor’s STEM Scholars looks to secure this legacy into the future by inspiring students who will make up the next generation of these scientists, engineers and innovators.''
The program introduces high-achieving high school and college students to industry, academic and government research to establish a relationship between the students, STEM and New Jersey.
Throughout the academic year, scholars will participate in four conferences to explore different aspects of New Jersey’s economy focusing on STEM in government, academia and industry.
During the 2022-23 year, these conferences will be held at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University, Rowan University, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology. Scholars will participate in a research project, led by undergraduate and graduate-level scholars, that advances the work of New Jersey’s research community. Additionally, the scholars will tour New Jersey STEM facilities and laboratories and network with professionals to gain a 360-degree view of STEM opportunities throughout the state.
"The Governor's STEM Scholars continues to be a shining example of how our innovation industries can collaborate with education institutions and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers," explained Tyler Seville, executive director of Innovation New Jersey. "
This year marks the ninth class of scholars.
The class represents the diversity of New Jersey. Eighty-four percent of the scholars identify as a person of color; 30 percent with a racial identity underrepresented in STEM fields, specifically Black, Latinx or Indigenous; 64percent of the 2022 class are female and 36 percent male.
In addition, 18 percent of the scholars are or will be first-generation college students. They come from across the state and represent 20 of New Jersey’s counties.
When they graduate in May 2023, they will join an alumni cohort of over 700 students.
The scholars were selected from a pool of more than 600 applicants. Scholars must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctorial-level student at a New Jersey-based high school or university and demonstrate a passion for STEM.
The program is free for all scholars to attend, due to sponsorships by BASF, Bristol, Myers Squibb, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Ocean Wind 1, the PSEG Foundation, Spencer Savings Bank, Stryker and Verizon.
For more information visit www.govstemscholars.com/scholars.
In a press release announcing their admission, organizers said maintaining a pipeline of talented individuals is critical to maintaining excellence in innovation. In recognition of this, the Governor’s STEM Scholars was created to engage the next generation of research and innovation leaders.
“New Jersey has always been at the center of innovation excellence and scientific discovery led by some of the world’s most talented STEM professionals,'' said Anthony Cicatiello, president of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey. "The Governor’s STEM Scholars looks to secure this legacy into the future by inspiring students who will make up the next generation of these scientists, engineers and innovators.''
The program introduces high-achieving high school and college students to industry, academic and government research to establish a relationship between the students, STEM and New Jersey.
Throughout the academic year, scholars will participate in four conferences to explore different aspects of New Jersey’s economy focusing on STEM in government, academia and industry.
During the 2022-23 year, these conferences will be held at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University, Rowan University, New Jersey Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology. Scholars will participate in a research project, led by undergraduate and graduate-level scholars, that advances the work of New Jersey’s research community. Additionally, the scholars will tour New Jersey STEM facilities and laboratories and network with professionals to gain a 360-degree view of STEM opportunities throughout the state.
"The Governor's STEM Scholars continues to be a shining example of how our innovation industries can collaborate with education institutions and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers," explained Tyler Seville, executive director of Innovation New Jersey. "
This year marks the ninth class of scholars.
The class represents the diversity of New Jersey. Eighty-four percent of the scholars identify as a person of color; 30 percent with a racial identity underrepresented in STEM fields, specifically Black, Latinx or Indigenous; 64percent of the 2022 class are female and 36 percent male.
In addition, 18 percent of the scholars are or will be first-generation college students. They come from across the state and represent 20 of New Jersey’s counties.
When they graduate in May 2023, they will join an alumni cohort of over 700 students.
The scholars were selected from a pool of more than 600 applicants. Scholars must have at least a 3.5 GPA, be a high school sophomore through doctorial-level student at a New Jersey-based high school or university and demonstrate a passion for STEM.
The program is free for all scholars to attend, due to sponsorships by BASF, Bristol, Myers Squibb, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Ocean Wind 1, the PSEG Foundation, Spencer Savings Bank, Stryker and Verizon.
For more information visit www.govstemscholars.com/scholars.
