WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $503,399 for STEM research at Rowan University and the Spreadsheet Lab Manual in South Jersey.

“These grants will help advance cutting-edge projects in South Jersey and help ensure students and teachers are ready for the demands of the 21^st century economy,” said Congressman Norcross, a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor. “As our hometown researchers work to find cures for diseases and our local teachers gain new tools for the classroom, South Jersey will be able to continue innovating and thriving.”

“The National Science Foundation funds research that has the potential to strongly impact science, engineering, medicine and other disciplines,” said Dr. Ali Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “NSF’s support reflects the value it places on the work our researchers are doing in areas that include health care, the environment and other important fields.”

“Our students and teachers need to be fully equipped with the tools they need to succeed,” said the Spreadsheet Lab Manual’s founder, Michael McConnell. “Research shows that high school students who learn to work with spreadsheets are better prepared for college and their future careers. Unfortunately, high quality resources and training are not commercially available for teachers to learn computational modeling on spreadsheets. This funding will ensure that teachers in New Jersey’s First District can access resources for this fundamental and necessary part of their students' STEM education.”

Rowan University will receive:

• $228,399 to the College of Science and Mathematics for the development of a new chemical analysis technique.
• $50,000 to the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering for research into the detection of skin diseases.

The Spreadsheet Lab Manual in Blackwood, New Jersey will receive:

• $225,000 to develop new instructional materials for STEM teachers.

The NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 to promote the progress of science and to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare of our country. The organization supports research, innovation and discovery that provides the foundation for economic growth in this country.

Rowan University, founded in 1923, has developed from a teacher preparation college to an institution that today offers more than 80 bachelor's programs, 44 master's degree programs, seven doctoral programs and two professional (medical) degree programs for more than 19,500.

The Spreadsheet Lab Manual helps teachers from all over the country to teach their students to build and study spreadsheet models for physics, chemistry, biology and math.

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Contact: Ally Kehoe, Communications Director
ally.kehoe@mail.house.gov