I recently had the opportunity to visit a new kind of technology center designed not just to educate, but to inspire students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) through hands-on experiences. Students 2 Science’s Apollo Technology Center is an ambitious new facility devoted to giving every New Jersey student, especially those from underserved communities, access to real-world science.
As a self-identified techie (at least I used to be), I’ve always been drawn to science, even if math was never my strongest subject. What has always fascinated me is how science and technology can amaze us and improve our lives. That’s probably why my career centered on using technology to solve problems and make things work better.
Today, science faces growing skepticism and misinformation. Healthy questioning is one thing, but the outright rejection of evidence and expertise has become troubling and discouraging for young people who might otherwise pursue careers in the sciences.
My son-in-law, John Dempsey, a trustee of Students 2 Science (S2S), had long spoken highly of the organization and invited me to the opening of their brand-new Apollo Technology Center. I knew little about how science is taught today or what truly motivates students but I was eager to find out.
What I discovered was an impressive nonprofit that has spent years building a professional team of educators, corporate partners, and volunteers dedicated to one mission: making STEM education accessible to all. S2S has already reached nearly 250,000 students across Newark and 25 other New Jersey school districts. The Apollo Center in Whippany, a newly renovated, 20,000-square-foot facility in a once-vacant office building, represents the culmination of those efforts. I wanted to see firsthand how science itself could be re-imagined to inspire the next generation.
During the Open House, visitors could tour the labs and classrooms of this unique facility. I watched demonstrations in ecology, electronics, communications, biology, and medical science. The equipment was modern and professional-grade; the instructors and staff were enthusiastic and eager to share their work.
Two labs especially stood out. The Virtual Lab featured a microscope linked to a digital display, allowing instructors to project real-time images, like a magnified view of bees, to large monitors and even broadcast them live to classrooms across the state via Zoom. Few school districts could replicate this kind of technology and expertise on their own, but through S2S, they can all share in it.
The Medical Diagnostics Lab was equally impressive. Designed for high school students, it simulates real-world medical problem-solving. Teams of students are presented with a (hypothetical) patient in crisis and use vital signs and blood test results from actual diagnostic equipment to identify the condition and propose treatment. It’s the kind of immersive, problem-based learning that makes science come alive.
Experiencing the energy of these labs and meeting the scientists, educators, and volunteers behind them convinced me that Students 2 Science offers something truly special. Programs like this not only teach skills, they spark curiosity, confidence, and ambition. With the growing demand for professionals in science and technology, we need more initiatives like this to cultivate future innovators.
Students 2 Science is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of its corporate partners, volunteers, and donors. Companies can contribute equipment, expertise, and mentorship, while individuals can volunteer their time or make donations to support the mission.
If this new “branch” of STEM education is any indication, the future of science in New Jersey and beyond is looking bright and growing.
My Plan C 