On May 9, 2026, the Governor’s STEM Scholars celebrated its 12th graduating class as 100 students from across New Jersey completed the year-long program connecting students with New Jersey’s innovation economy. he commencement ceremony, held at Kean University, featured keynote remarks from New Jersey Lt. Governor Dr. Dale Caldwell and brought together families, educators, industry leaders, and partners from across the state to recognize the next generation of STEM talent.

On April 10th, Governor’s STEM Scholars Research Team 10 visited Dr. Simiao Niu’s biomedical engineering lab at Rutgers University.

STEM students putting more emphasis on their humanities education not only benefits themselves but also the world, people, and science around them.

Is quantum computing too hard for high school? Scholar Manntram Patel argues that it’s actually too important not to teach. From breaking encryption to solving climate change, discover why the "magic mouse" of computing is coming faster than we think and how New Jersey can empower the next generation to lead it.

From being dubbed the "most dangerous city" in 1997 to becoming a premier tech hub in the Northeast, Newark is undergoing a radical transformation. 2026 Scholar John Palacios explores the rise of disruptive innovation in the city—from the legacy of Audible to the arrival of HAX—and shares why the next generation of founders should look to Newark as a place that is truly "willing to ride with you.

What does a future in STEM actually look like? 2026 Scholar Elena Beepat reflects on her time at the NJIT conference, where hearing from industry professionals proved that there is no single "right" path to success.

Before attending the conference, I thought of STEM careers as mostly focused on labs, research, and academics. I knew strong science skills were important, but I had not really considered how people centered and interdisciplinary STEM careers can be. Spending the day listening to professionals and connecting with other Scholars gave me a completely new perspective on what a future in STEM can look like.

Explore highlights from the 2026 Governor’s STEM Scholars Industry Conference at NJIT. Discover how New Jersey high school and college students are connecting with leaders from Merck, Nokia Bell Labs, and Stryker to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world industrial application.

Before attending the conference, I thought of STEM careers as mostly focused on labs, research, and academics. I knew strong science skills were important, but I had not really considered how people centered and interdisciplinary STEM careers can be. Spending the day listening to professionals and connecting with other Scholars gave me a completely new perspective on what a future in STEM can look like.