Empowering stem learners: modernizing labs and computing facilities for interdisciplinary impact

New Jersey City University received a $152,004 Project Grant award dated October 1, 2025, from the National Science Foundation's Division of Undergraduate Education under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076). The award, funded through the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program, supports the modernization of computing facilities and laboratory infrastructure to strengthen undergraduate education in computer science, mathematics, and chemistry. The primary deliverable is the establishment of a new computer laboratory equipped with computing equipment that enables students to engage in artificial intelligence, data science, and computational chemistry learning experiences, including course-based research opportunities.

The project is designed to serve approximately 650 undergraduate students annually across 13 courses, 7 majors, and 2 minors through September 30, 2027. The equipment investment will facilitate the development of computational and research skills, preparing students for employment in the STEM workforce. Project outcomes will be assessed through student feedback, course enrollment metrics, and the development of new curricula and course-based undergraduate research experiences utilizing the newly acquired computing resources. No sub-awards are planned for this project.

Abstract

With support from the improving undergraduate stem education: hispanic-serving institutions (HSI program), this educational instrumentation project at new jersey city university will strengthen undergraduate learning in computer science, mathematics, and chemistry. Specifically, this project will secure computing equipment to outfit a new computer lab, which will allow students to engage in AI, data science, and computational chemistry learning experiences, including course-based research opportunities. An estimated 650 students will utilize the project-funded equipment each year across 13 courses, 7 majors, and 2 minors. The goals of this project are to enrich the learning and experiences of undergraduate students by providing critical computing resources for students in computer science, mathematics, and chemistry. Providing students with opportunities to build computational and research skills will better prepare them to find gainful employment and contribute to the stem workforce. The project will assess the impact of the project funded equipment using student feedback, enrollment in impacted courses, and the development of new curricula and course-based undergraduate research experienced that utilize the new computing resources. This project is funded by the HSI program, which aims to enhance undergraduate stem education, broaden participation in stem, and increase capacity to engage in the development and implementation of innovations to improve stem teaching and learning at hsis. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.