Gottheimer Pushes For Greater STEM-Based Education Programs

The challenger in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District race has a plan to foster more interest and create more technology- and science-based jobs.

Democrat Josh Gottheimer, a former speechwriter for President Bill Clinton from Wyckoff, wants STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — education to programs in school to continue to meet the demand for jobs in these sectors.

Gottheimer is running against Republican incumbent Scott Garrett. Gottheimer has raised much more money than Garrett has and is expected to provide the seven-term incumbent with the only close congressional race in this year’s election in New Jersey.

According to Gottheimer, there could be 2.4 million unfiled STEM-based jobs by 2018. His five-point plan includes:

• Creating partnerships between area high schools, colleges to give students a chance to earn college credits in a STEM-related field and have boards of education implement college-level math and science programs.
• Facilitating internship programs at private-sector employers and providing tax incentives for corporations that do so.

Women only hold 27 percent of all computer science jobs, according to Gottheimer’s campaign. Schools could create mentoring programs that would connect young women and minorities working in STEM fields with students pursuing STEM educations.

All students should have greater access to broadband internet speeds and technology at schools to help meet those goals.

“Providing out children with a STEM education will make the district an attractive location for companies from the technology industry, and position our children to compete for the high-paying jobs of the future,” Gottheimer said.

The 5th district is made up of municipalities in Bergen, Sussex, Passaic, and Warren counties. In Bergen, the municipalities include: Fair Lawn, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Hillsdale, Mahwah, New Milford, Oakland, Oradell, Paramus, Ramsey, Ridgewood, River Edge, Teaneck, Washington, Westwood, and Wyckoff.

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PHOTO: Josh Gottheimer,with students at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, tours the school’s Robotics Lab. Courtesy of Josh Gottheimer for Congress