Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, Kean University, and Kean University Foundation Announce Partnership for Mobile STEM Classroom Serving Girls Across New Jersey
Girl Scouts on the Go! Powered by Kean University Unveiled
During Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Jazz & Roots Music Festival
September 23, 2024
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) is excited to announce a new partnership with Kean University and the Kean University Foundation, naming the university as the title sponsor of the Girl Scouts on the Go! Mobile Classroom, now "Powered by Kean University." The partnership was officially unveiled at Kean University’s Jazz & Roots Music Festival on Saturday, September 21, where attendees enjoyed tours and live demonstrations of the Mobile Classroom’s cutting-edge STEM technology.
This partnership will provide more than 2,500 hands-on STEM experiences annually to Girl Scouts across the council, with a focus on underserved areas. By bringing mobile learning directly to these communities, GSHNJ ensures that Girl Scouts have access to engaging STEM education, empowering them with the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s technology-driven world. This initiative reinforces GSHNJ's commitment to providing access to opportunities that inspire and equip the next generation of female leaders.
The partnership between Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey and Kean University is a natural fit, with the initial concepts for the Mobile STEM Classroom emerging from a collaboration involving GSHNJ’s STEM Advisory Group and students from Michael Graves College at Kean University. The college, known for integrating architecture, design, and planning with real-world application and community engagement, played a pivotal role in designing conceptualizing the Mobile Classroom to serve as a dynamic platform for informal education across the heart of New Jersey.
“Kean University, and by extension our University Foundation, is deeply committed to fostering strong community partnerships that create meaningful and lasting impact. Our collaboration with Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey enables us to bring vital STEM education to young girlschildren across our region. Together, we’re not just providing access to innovative learning opportunities; we are ensuring that every girlGirl Scout, regardless of her background, is empowered encouraged to lead and succeed. This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to anchoring our communities to enrich and cultivate the next generation of leaders,” said Dr. Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., President of Kean University.
Since its launch in 2022, the Girl Scouts on the Go! Mobile Classroom has reached more than 1,100 girls Girl Scouts across Union, Hudson, Essex, Somerset, Hunterdon, and parts of Middlesex and Warren counties. Girls They engage in diverse STEM activities led by trained staff and experts, including robotics, AI, coding, mechanical engineering, and astronomy, and more. These programs help build technical skills and perseverance. Additionally, girls Girl Scouts learn business planning, marketing, and entrepreneurship, and during recruitment events, they future members can explore sample various a spectrum of programs offerings.
“This partnership with Kean University allows us to expand our impact, ensuring that every girlGirl Scout, no matter her location or circumstances, has access to high-quality STEM programming,” said Natasha Hemmings, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey. "Kean University's support will empower thousands of girls and help us achieve further our mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.”
The Girl Scouts on the Go! Mobile Classroom, Powered by Kean University provides a high-tech learning environment where girls Girl Scouts engage with emerging technologies such as virtual and augmented reality, circuitry, and computer-aided design. This initiative addresses disparities in STEM education by delivering bringing programming directly to girlsmembers, particularly in communities that may not have access to such resources. By working with subject matter experts, girls participants become more confident in their abilities and develop critical problem-solving skills.
During the Jazz & Roots Music Festival, current Girl Scouts from the community shared how the Mobile Classroom made STEM fun and accessible, with exciting programs coming right to their communities. Girls They expressed excitement about trying out new technology in a hands-on way, making learning STEM both engaging and enjoyable.
Communications technology leader Ericsson is the founding partner of GSHNJ’s Girl Scouts on the Go! Mobile Classroom, generously contributed the initial funding to launch the program in 2022, covering the cost of the vehicle and its build-out, which includes handicapped accessibility. The Mobile Classroom, which is 25 feet in length, can host 10-12 girls people on board, is also self-sufficient, equipped with power via a generator, video capabilities, and a whiteboard inside, allowing for versatile programming in any location. GSHNJ is grateful for Ericsson's foundational support in making the Mobile Classroom a reality.
About Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey:
Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ) believes in the power of every girl. Our leadership program is designed to help a girl discover who she is, what she can do, and connects her with a powerful community of girls and mentors to make it happen. With unique opportunities, Girl Scouts explore, learn, succeed and take action to make a difference in their community. Providing over 13,000 New Jersey girls access to premiere leadership programs and mentors throughout Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Somerset, Union, southern Warren, and parts of Middlesex counties, GSHNJ offers girls a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership. GSHNJ has two service centers located in North Branch and Westfield and operates three summer camps: Camp Hoover in Middleville, N.J., Camp DeWitt in Hillsborough, N.J., and The OVAL in Maplewood, N.J. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, please visit www.gshnj.org
About Kean University:
Kean University, New Jersey’s urban research university, is a national institution of higher education recognized for its diversity, innovation, and the social mobility of its graduates. Founded in 1855 as a teachers college, Kean has evolved into a thriving research university that supports students as they persist to graduation, give back to their communities, and launch successful careers. Kean’s six colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate programs, six doctoral degree programs, and over 70 options leading to master’s degrees, professional diplomas, or certifications, across a full range of academic subjects. With campuses in Union, Toms River, and Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, as well as Kean Online, the University provides students of all backgrounds an affordable and accessible world-class education. Learn more at www.kean.edu.
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