STEM Advance

STEM Advance Undergraduate Laboratory Instructional Assistant

Laboratory Instructional Assistants assist in teaching and maintaining safety in STEM laboratory courses. Duties include preparation, demonstration and clean up of experiments. Students also assist the instructor in pre-laboratory lectures, administer quizzes or exams, and answer questions for students. Students also work with STEM Advance Project faculty and staff to promote programs to students throughout the year. 

STEM Advance Supplemental Instructors

Upper-class STEM majors lead supplemental instruction sessions for selected STEM gateway courses, such as algebra, pre-calculus, general biology, and general chemistry. Supplemental Instructors attend their assigned class; collaborate with the STEM professor on classwork, home assignments, and tests; and meet at least twice a week with students in small groups, in-person, and virtually.

STEM Advance Ambassadors

Caldwell University students serve as special STEM Advance Admission Ambassadors to assist that office in targeted outreach to high school and community college students at those locations and on campus (tours, open houses, social media, emailing). They will also help to create new STEM-focused videos highlighting key courses, student experiences, and extra-curricular STEM activities.

STEM Advance Unsalaried Intern

Students who have received an unpaid external internship may apply for the STEM Advance Intern program. Many industry summer internships are unpaid. This program will allow students to gain experience and broaden their professional networks while providing financial assistance. 

Recent students have interned at Biotia, Morphbot and SheTek: Women in Technology. 

Registration Fees for Salaried Summer Internships

Students who have applied for and received an external paid summer internship may apply for funds to cover the registration fee for course credit from Caldwell University. This registration fee is required for internships to count towards academic credit and be listed on official transcripts.

Recent students have interned at Rutgers-Newark 2022 Summer Research Institute, Gates Summer Internship Program, Atlantic Health System, Deloitte, NJ Transit, Twilio, Inc., The Scripps Research Institute.

STEM Advance Summer Researchers

This program will support STEM students in conducting research at Caldwell University during the summer, under the supervision of faculty mentors. Students receive a salary and research supply budget. 

Student projects have included: 

• A Facile Conjugate Addition of Electron-Rich Arenes or Heteroarenes to Cyclic α, β-Unsaturated Ketoesters Catalyzed by Lewis Acid
• Unintentional Effects of Digital Advertisement on Site Content Recall
• Hyperbolic Space in Virtual Reality
• Antibiotic Effectiveness of Honey and Tea Using the Kirby Bauer Method.
• The Effect of Béres Drops and Vitamin C on Breast Cancer Cells
• Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis

The STEM Advance Project provides support to students who may encounter challenges throughout their time at Caldwell. 

The STEM Advance Academic Coach offers one-on-one help for academic challenges and serves as a point person to communicate with professors and connect students to supplemental instruction, tutoring, and other in-person and virtual support services available within Caldwell’s Academic Success Center. Academic coaching can help students to develop and achieve individual goals; identify obstacles preventing your success and overcome them; employ effective learning, time management, and organizational strategies; and learn about campus resources. Services are provided virtually and in-person, in both English and Spanish.

Contact Brianna Casagrande
Email: bcasagrande@caldwell.edu Phone: 973-618-3712
Cougar Link: https://caldwell-insight.symplicity.com/students/

The STEM Advance Resource Coordinator, within the Office of Student Life, addresses immediate non-academic concerns such as financial needs, insecurity in food or housing, family issues, transportation, and other challenges. The resource coordinator will connect students to resources that are available on campus and in the community such as mental health counseling and financial aid.

Contact: Benahir Crespo, Resource Coordinator
Email: bcrespo@caldwell.edu
Phone: 973-618-3523

The Office of Career Planning and Development is an important resource for students exploring their postgraduate career options. You can meet with a career counselor, find internships using Handshake and take advantage of workshops designed for STEM majors. 

CH 101 Connecting to Chemistry (3 credits)

This course will introduce nonmajors and science majors to the basic principles of chemistry within the context of forensic investigations and careers in science. The course will introduce students to relevant math concepts and chemistry careers by focusing on how to approach college-level chemistry. This “how to” approach will explore the fundamental concepts of chemistry, helping students consider how chemistry applies to studies in the sciences and science careers; how to apply chemistry concepts, the scientific method, and algebra to solve problems in chemistry; and ways to approach learning, studying, and problem-solving in science. These tools are relevant for students in any STEM discipline, and success will boost STEM learners’ confidence in their own science identity. 

CS 101 Survey of Computer Science (3 credits)

Recognizing that many students are unfamiliar with computing careers, this course will introduce students to the computer science major and the roles computer scientists play in business and industry. Students will be introduced to the hardware, software, and operating systems most common in professional settings. Class activities will give students a foundation in core skills for programming, databases, networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, web design, mobile devices, and data analytics, with an aim toward enticing more students to pursue computer science courses and majors. Computer scientists who work at area employers will provide guest presentations and/or host field trips to their workplaces.

NS 101 Survey of Science Careers (1 credit)

Students will learn about different scientific professions and settings; how they are funded; and what education, training, and skills are required. The course will include field trips to visit local STEM employers, as well as guest speakers from STEM employers and alumni who are employed in STEM. Students will learn how to search for and apply for internships and jobs; draft cover letters, resumes, and application essays; and practice interview skills.