Great Falls STEM Summer Program

The Great Falls STEM summer program exposes students to cutting edge STEM learning opportunities while deepening their knowledge about their city’s historical and scientific relevance. It is designed to provide students with hands-on, skilled-based learning opportunities that enhance their in-school STEM education.

About the Program

Summer 2015 students visited the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Rifle Camp Park, Garret Mountain Reservation, the American Museum of Natural History Nature’s Fury exhibit, Sims Municipal Recycling Facility, and Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Curriculum

As part of a place-based curriculum students discover topics such as the geology of the Passaic River, the development of Paterson’s geologic landforms and ecosystems from prehistoric times to today, Lenape traditions and culture, natural disasters, hydropower, industry and invention, and the impacts of urban development on our local ecosystems.

Students have created final projects focused on reducing plastics use in the city and preparing for future natural disasters using stop motion video, green screen video technology, and digital graphic arts.

  • 4 Weeks

  • 47

  • 41 / 5 / 1

More Info

Of the participants, 32% are returnees from the previous summer, 91% have participated in the after school program for at least one year prior to attending the summer program.

The program staff consists of 8 certified teachers, 2 certified tutors, 2 curriculum specialist, 7 college students, 1 HS Student, 1 technology specialist, 1 site coordinator and 1 lunch monitor.

STEM Stat

Just over one-third (33%) of U.S 8th grade students performed at or above the proficient level on the NAEP math assessment in 2013 – National Science Foundation