Empowering Climate Action Through STEM Education: Building a Greener Future Starts Now

April is Earth month—a time to reflect on our planet and act for its future. Recent climate data and events underscore the accelerating pace of the climate crisis. In 2024, earth experienced its hottest year on record , with average surface temperatures reaching 1.6°C above pre-industrial levels, surpassing the 1.5°C threshold outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. This unprecedented warming has led to a series of extreme weather events worldwide, including intensified heatwaves, prolonged droughts, and severe storms.

As the climate crisis accelerates, we at JerseySTEM believe that tackling it requires more than global policy shifts — it demands a new generation of problem-solvers equipped with the skills to lead innovation in sustainability. From EV batteries to clean electricity grids, many of the world’s most promising climate solutions are emerging from STEM-powered industries — and the students we teach today will be the engineers, coders, and scientists driving that transformation tomorrow.

Studies show that youth are highly concerned about climate change, but often feel overwhelmed or helpless about what they can do. In 2020, New Jersey became the first state to require climate change education in K-12 schools , across all content areas and grade levels. Integrating climate-related content into STEM education can transform teenagers’ anxiety into action.

JerseySTEM’s after-school programs are designed to introduce climate-linked technology through practical STEM learning. Our programs empower middle school girls and underserved youth to explore STEM education in a holistic way that empowers them to tackle any climate solutions in meaningful, tangible ways in the future. By providing early exposure to cutting-edge STEM education, we’re helping ensure that the clean energy workforce of tomorrow reflects the full diversity and potential of our society.

Climate change is rapidly reshaping our world — and equipping students with STEM education ensures they are prepared to take action and lead that change toward a more sustainable future.

Discover how JerseySTEM is transforming young minds during National Robotics Week! Our hands-on curriculum empowers middle schoolers to build, code, and tackle real-world challenges—paving the way for the next generation of STEM innovators.

National Robotics Week

Each April, National Robotics Week shines a spotlight on how robotics is changing the world—and how we’re preparing the next generation to lead the charge. At JerseySTEM, we believe robotics education is more than building cool machines—it’s about teaching problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity that students can use in any future STEM career.

This year, we’re proud to showcase our hands-on Robotics curriculum, designed to introduce middle school students to real-world engineering and programming through fun and engaging projects. With tools like LEGO SPIKE and TacoBot, our students learn the building blocks of robotics while imagining their role in a tech-powered future.

What Students Learn: 10 Lessons from the JerseySTEM Robotics Program

Over 10 sessions, students explore robotics step-by-step—starting with the basics and ending with a class-wide challenge to solve real-world problems. Here’s a look at what’s covered:

1. Assembling TacoBot – Students are introduced to SPIKE and the software, learning how to build their first programmable robot.
2. Simple Commands – Learn to program TacoBot to move using simple commands.
3. Moving Challenges – On top of movement, students learn to operate TacoBot’s arm for more complex tasks.
4. What’s a Robot? – This lesson explores distance sensors and how robots use them to interact with the world.
5. Color Sensors – Students dive into how robots detect colors and respond to their environments using sensor data.
6. MoonRanger Rover – Inspired by real NASA projects, this lesson introduces the concept of forever loops using a lunar rover simulation.
7. Cargo Vehicle Logic – Students use “if” statements to simulate an unmanned cargo vehicle making delivery decisions.
8. Detour Detection – A challenge lesson using nested decision-making to teach advanced logic in robot navigation.
9. Real-Life Robotics Challenges – Students learn about the DARPA Subterranean Challenge and work in teams to design their own robot explorers.
10. Class Challenge & Celebration – In a final showcase, students apply everything they’ve learned to complete a team challenge and celebrate their success!

Why Robotics Education Matters Now More Than Ever

Robotics isn’t just the future—it’s the present. From warehouse automation and agriculture to space exploration and healthcare, robots are transforming every industry. In fact, according to the International Federation of Robotics, there were more than 4.2 million industrial robots operating worldwide in 2023 and that number will continue to grow.

That’s why early exposure to robotics is critical. When students learn how robots move, sense, and respond, they begin to understand the logic behind the technology all around them. Even better—they see how they can shape that future.

Looking Ahead

At JerseySTEM, we’re not just teaching robotics—we’re helping build the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators. During Robotics Week and all year long, we celebrate the curiosity, teamwork, and resilience our students bring to the classroom.

Whether they go on to build Mars rovers or medical robots—or just gain confidence in coding and problem-solving—we know these skills will take them far.

💡 Want to support our Robotics program or become a volunteer? Visit JerseySTEM.org to learn more and get involved.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we at JerseySTEM reflect on the extraordinary legacy of women who have transformed the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But more importantly, we look to the future we’re actively building—a future where young girls no longer question whether they belong in STEM, but rather which STEM path they’ll choose to pursue.

The Mentor-Mentee Connection: A Powerful Catalyst

Our program’s unique strength lies in the beautiful symbiosis between college students and middle school girls. When an engineering student guides a 12-year-old through her first successful robotics project, something magical happens: both lives are transformed. The middle schooler sees a tangible example of what she can become, while the college mentor reinforces their own belonging in their chosen field by passing knowledge to the future generation.

“I was always fascinated by technology and problem-solving,” shares Vaishnavi Mhaske, a program instructor volunteer at JerseySTEM. “When I wrote my first piece of code, it felt like magic to see my ideas come to life on the screen! This sense of empowerment is something I strive to bring into my teaching. I want our middle schoolers to experience that same spark of curiosity and realize that they, too, can be creators, not just consumers, of technology.”

Creating an Ecosystem of Support

The STEM gender gap doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Research consistently shows that girls begin losing interest in STEM subjects around middle school age—precisely when social pressures intensify and fewer examples of women in these fields are visible to them (Microsoft, 2018; National Science Foundation, 2023). This critical juncture is where JerseySTEM steps in.

Our after-school programs in coding, robotics, chemistry, and biology create safe spaces where girls can explore, experiment, and sometimes fail—all essential parts of the scientific process. By making these experiences accessible and engaging, we’re helping build the pipeline of future women in STEM.

One of our instructors witnessed this transformation firsthand: “A student who was initially hesitant about coding ended up leading her team in programming a Taco Bot with a distance sensor,” Vaishnavi recalls. “On the first day, she admitted, ‘STEM careers seem too challenging, and I don’t think I have what it takes.’ However, everything changed when she saw the robot successfully respond to obstacles. Her face lit up with excitement, and she turned to me and said, ‘I didn’t think I could do this, but now I want to build my own robot!'” These moments reaffirm why representation and hands-on learning in STEM are so crucial.

Join the Movement

“STEM is not just about numbers and code—it’s about creativity, innovation, and making an impact,” emphasizes Vaishnavi in her message to girls uncertain about pursuing STEM. “If you’ve ever been curious about how things work or wanted to create something new, then STEM is for you! Don’t be afraid to explore and make mistakes; every expert started as a beginner. The world needs more diverse perspectives in STEM, and your ideas matter.”

Together, we’re not just celebrating women’s history—we’re actively writing its next chapter, one after-school club at a time.

Want to make a difference like Vaishnavi ? Learn more about our open volunteer positions at JerseySTEM.org

“I’m proud to have worked for an organization that aims to enable young girls like my sister to have equal – and ample – opportunities to pursue a career in STEM,” says Sreerag.

Meet Sreerag – a data and business analyst who supported both the grant team and then the automation team. Sreerag joined JerseySTEM in February 2024 after graduating from the University of Maryland with a Master’s in Business Analytics. In his role, Sreerag was responsible for extracting insights from large datasets, which were then used to make recommendations that ultimately drove strategic, impactful decisions.

Sreerag was inspired every day by the amount of grantmakers that believed in JerseySTEM’s mission, and he is proud of his contributions that led to securing the support necessary to help JerseySTEM continue to make a difference in the community and beyond. Above all, Sreerag knows that his impact will be felt even after he transitions to his new full-time role at a new company.

When asked about his personal connection to the organization, Sreerag says that his young sister inspired his work.

“I’m proud to have worked for an organization that aims to enable young girls like my sister to have equal – and ample – opportunities to pursue a career in STEM,” Sreerag says. “I wanted to help make that a reality.”

Beyond fulfilling his personal goals, Sreerag also landed his full-time position from the connections he made at JerseySTEM. Networking around the organization led him to what would ultimately become his next step.

Outside of JerseySTEM, Sreerag is a talented artist. He maintains an art account on Instagram where he posts his latest drawings. He also works on personal projects related to data and business analytics to continue to learn new skills to meet his personal and professional goals.

Want to make a difference like Sreerag? Learn more about our open volunteer positions at JerseySTEM.org

“Climate change is a colossal problem that will require localized solutions. These issues need to be addressed in a way that keeps the context of the city and available resources in mind”, says Evelyn.

Meet Evelyn – a UCLA graduate whose volunteer work as a grant writer at JerseySTEM prepared her for a career in project management. In her four months as a volunteer, Evelyn applied her passion for solving climate change to helping JerseySTEM open new doors for young girls who might have never considered a path in STEM-heavy subjects at school.

In her time at JerseySTEM, Evelyn greatly impacted our grant writing team. Working with other grant writers, she would research, write, and apply for grants that power our partnerships with local schools and communities. Her proudest accomplishment from her volunteer work came when she received the news that her grant was approved, and she had successfully secured funding. In one instance, the letter of interest she wrote was the first step to potentially securing a $25,000 contribution to JerseySTEM’s mission. Throughout her volunteer experience, Evelyn was able to use her communication and storytelling abilities to make a lasting difference.

With a degree in Environmental Science, Evelyn understands the impact that having access to resources, such as mentors and high-quality learning materials, can have on a girl’s choice to pursue a STEM education. Today, her commitment to understanding the factors that influence environmental challenges – and working diligently to find equitable solutions – is evident in her new role as a project manager at ClimateWorks Foundation.

“Climate change is a colossal problem that will require localized solutions,” says Evelyn. “These issues need to be addressed in a way that keeps the context of the city and available resources in mind.”

Outside of her volunteer work and full-time role, Evelyn enjoys learning about philosophy and sipping on vanilla lattes (with oat milk, of course).

Want to make a difference like Evelyn? Learn more about our open volunteer positions at JerseySTEM.org

“I wanted to make a contribution that mattered – I wanted to give other students a boost at an early stage. I love what I do at JerseySTEM.”

Meet Amey – a software developer with a Master’s in Computer Science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He’s been with JerseySTEM since August 2023, and he has worked on the automation team – and more recently the Robotic Process Automation team – to help reduce repetitive tasks and minimize the workload for his fellow volunteers.

Amey heard about JerseySTEM from a previous roommate. The opportunity to work on automated solutions and artificial intelligence was something that was both new and exciting to him. The mission to make STEM education more accessible to young girls was inspiring to him, as he recalled the challenges that came from being an international student. When you don’t have access to the same resources as others, it can be detrimental to future success compared to one’s peers.

“I wanted to make a contribution that mattered – I wanted to give other students a boost at an early stage. I love what I do at JerseySTEM.”

The first project he worked on was very memorable to Amey. He was tasked with implementing a project that would make volunteers’ scheduled availability more accessible, making it much easier for volunteers to connect with each other. With the automation team, he was able to facilitate better communication throughout the organization.

Outside of JerseySTEM, Amey has a flourishing baking and cooking hobby. He’s currently working to perfect his vegan recipes for his friends with dietary restrictions, and he’s recently learned how to bake fudgy brownies.

With more than four years of experience in programming along with certifications in Tableau, Python, and Robotic Process Automation Amey is skilled in front-end development, project management, and generative AI-powered solutions. His educational background and real-world experience help him solve complex problems in a user-centric way. He is open to part-time and full-time software development roles and is based in Harrison, New Jersey.

Want to make a difference like Amey? Learn more about our open volunteer positions at JerseySTEM.org