THE UNTOLD HISTORY OF STEM

Developed the Learn Tech program (later called Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM). The program was dev at School 14 in Troy, New York.  With the help of Annette Orfitelli, a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) physics demonstrator, the program would recruit RPI students to create lessons using the New York State science curriculum in Ms. Schwartz’s third-grade classroom. Equipment and supplies would be borrowed from the RPI Physics department through Ms. Orfitelli. RPI students would perform demonstrations, while the elementary students would participate in hands-on activities, create their own science projects, be introduced to different careers, and take part in field trips to RPI. 

School 14, Troy, New York: Ms. Schwartz expanded the program to 5th grade students in the classroom of Marge Liebowitz.

RPI students worked with even more teachers at School 14 using the New York State Science curriculum.

New York State Department of Education observed the Learn Tech program at School 14 in Ms. Schwartz’s classroom and suggested Ms. Schwartz apply
for the New York State Christa McAuliffe Award.

Ms. Schwartz was notified that she had won the Christa McAuliffe award for New York State. Ms. Schwartz changed the name of her program to Science,
Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM).

Along with all other state winners, Ms. Schwartz received her Christa McAuliffe Award at the Kennedy Space Center.

A Capital District news outlet reported on Ms. Schwartz’s award, resulting in a news story about her, presented by Jane Pauley and narrated by Ann Curry
on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw on November 27, 1990.

Ms. Schwartz created a STEM program at the request of of the Eastern Council of Upstate New York State Engineers for four upstate New York counties:  Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga.

A STEM board was formed consisting of engineers, educators, school administrators, and other professionals. Mentors were recruited to visit schools
K-12th grades and perform science demonstrations, have students participate in hands-on science activities, create their own science projects, and would inspire students to consider careers in the area of STEM.

The STEM board activated Mentor Workshops to train mentors of how to use the science kits in schools and arrange their visits with teachers. A reception was held to inform teachers and the public about the program, along with an opportunity to meet mentors, and view science kits. A STEM Directory was distributed to teachers listing mentors who were available to visit classrooms. Evaluation forms for teachers and mentors were created to evaluate the program. There would be no cost for educators to participate in the program.  The Program would be available to four upstate counties:  Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga. The Board achieved not-for-profit 501(C)(3) corporation status for the STEM program in December, 1992.

As the program was evaluated, STEM created science fair opportunities, created additional science kits, and recruited more mentors. 

The STEM 501(C)(3) not-for-profit corporation was dissolved.