Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
The Office of Innovation leads statewide efforts to support New Jersey educators in advancing STEM education and design thinking, ensuring all K–12 students have equitable access to high‑quality, standards‑aligned learning experiences. The NJDOE positions STEM as a foundation for modern instruction integrating design thinking, creativity, and real‑world problem‑solving while aligning teaching practices with updated frameworks such as the NJSLS for Computer Science and Design Thinking. This approach also incorporates emerging fields including artificial intelligence, sustainability, and digital literacy to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
New Jersey strengthens STEM implementation through a wide range of statewide programs, resources, and collaborative partnerships. Districts benefit from planning tools, facilities guidance, safety resources, professional development, and curriculum supports that build educator capacity and promote consistent, high‑quality instruction. These supports create a cohesive statewide STEM program that drives innovation, expands inclusive learning opportunities, and empowers New Jersey students to develop as creative thinkers and effective problem‑solvers ready for future challenges.
STEM education provides an integrated framework for advancing student learning across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Within this framework, technology and engineering design engages students in applying the design process to solve problems, develop solutions, and understand how technologies function and impact society.
Other closely related areas, including computer science, educational technology, and information literacy, are often associated with STEM and frequently conflated with it. However, these areas support and extend STEM learning in distinct ways. Together, they contribute to students’ ability to design solutions, think computationally, and critically evaluate the role of technology in a rapidly evolving world.
| Terminology | Definition | NJ Standard | National Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology Education | Technology Education is a branch of education that focuses on teaching students how to use technology to create and solve problems. It is often associated with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses, but can also encompass other topics such as coding, game design, and digital media. Tech Education courses typically teach students practical skills such as troubleshooting, design, and problem-solving, as well as the fundamentals of a specific technology | NJSLS-CS-DT | Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy |
| Educational Technology | Educational Technology (EdTech) focuses on the use of technology to support learning, teaching, and assessment in education. The term is typically used to refer to the use of computers, mobile devices, and other digital technologies for educational purposes. EdTech can include anything from online interactive tools to virtual learning environments and adaptive learning systems. | NJSLS Standard 9.4 | ISTE Standards |
| Computer Science | The study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation, and their impact on society. | NJSLS-CS-DT | CSTA K–12 Computer Science Standards |
| Information Literacy | Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively. It involves the ability to locate, interpret, analyze, evaluate, and apply information from a variety of sources. Technology literacy is the ability to understand, use, and effectively apply technology for a variety of tasks. It involves understanding how to use and troubleshoot technology, as well as how to use technology as a tool for communication, problem-solving, and collaboration. | New Jersey Association of School Librarians (NJASL) | American Association of School Librarians (AASL) |
| Technology Literacy | The ability to responsibly use appropriate technology to communicate, solve problems, and access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to improve learning in all subject areas and to acquire lifelong knowledge and skills in the 21st century | NJSLS Standard 9.4 | ISTE Standards |
