Edison Across the Curriculum Press Release

Feb. 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TO THE POINT: Edison-inspired curriculum funded by GE Foundation grant to bolster science, math, and technology literacy for New Jersey's public middle-schools

NEW BRUNSWICK/PISCATAWAY, NJ; FAIRFIELD, CT - Scholars at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, will use a $100,000 grant from the GE Foundation to launch "Edison Across the Curriculum", a high-impact program that integrates the legacy of Thomas A. Edison with science, technology, and mathematics concepts for middle-grades in New Jersey public schools. Among the schools targeted to receive the curriculum will be the state's Abbott districts - traditionally underserved areas whose schools have amongst the lowest scores on standardized assessments in New Jersey and whose reform is proceeding under judicial mandate.

Edison Across the Curriculum will promote an inquiry-based, integrated approach to learning - not just for the students but also for math and science teachers, who are often looking for exciting new content that brings their lessons to life. The curriculum provides a platform of educational enhancements that weave Edison-inspired concepts into lesson plans, hands-on demonstrations, and professional development workshops. The effort draws on the resources of three research units at Rutgers University: the Thomas A. Edison Papers, the Math and Science Learning Center, and the Center for Mathematics, Science and Computer Education.

"New Jersey's schools are a perfect fit for an Edisonian initiative," explains Theresa M. Collins, associate director of the Edison Papers. "Not only is Edison one of the best-known Americans in world history, but he is also one of New Jersey's most renowned figures. This state enjoys an awareness of Edison beyond the academic environment, and this guarantees an engaging content advantage for the students," adds Collins, who will lead the effort behind Edison Across the Curriculum.

GE Foundation President Bob Corcoran says, "By weaving Edison's exemplary legacy into the state's middle-school curriculum, the project will bring Thomas Edison full-circle. The technology they will use is rooted in his work, and promotes more effective, inquiry-based methods for problem-solving." The GE Foundation is the philanthropic arm of General Electric Corp., which was founded by Edison over 100 years ago.

Edison was the inventor of the incandescent light bulb and many other technologies essential to modern life, was a self-educated genius and a self-made entrepreneur. Edison Across the Curriculum will encourage middle-school students to approach any academic problem by asking themselves how Edison would have addressed it. According to scholars who have studied his life and work, Edison consistently got excited about his challenge, learned the key concepts surrounding it, tested his ideas with the best technology available, learned from his mistakes, and went beyond conventional standards.

The faculty of the Edison Papers will draw on an unparalleled knowledge of the inventor's life and work, based on the 5 million pages that make up the papers, to weave Edison into all aspects of the middle-school curriculum in New Jersey. The Rutgers' Center for Mathematics, Science and Computer Education and the Edison Papers currently offer workshops for teachers, instructional materials for students and video-conferencing to reach as wide an audience as possible. The Edison Papers and the Rutgers' Math and Science Learning Center (MSLC) will also construct an exhibit for the New Jersey State Museum's Super Science Weekend in May. Beginning in September 2005, MSLC will use its new Science Bus to bring interactive demonstrations of Edison's work to individual school districts.

The Thomas A. Edison Papers (http://edison.rutgers.edu/) edits and publishes the documentary legacy of Thomas A. Edison through books, articles, Internet services, community outreach, and collaborative projects.

The Math and Science Learning Center (http://mslc.rutgers.edu/) provides teaching, outreach, training, and interactive programs, including hands-on interdisciplinary science demonstrations for middle-school students and teachers.

The Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education (http://cmsce.rutgers.edu/index.html) sponsors more than 30 projects and programs that improve mathematics, science, and computer education throughout New Jersey and the nation.

The GE Foundation, the philanthropic organization of the General Electric Company, works to strengthen educational access, equity, and quality for disadvantaged youth globally; and supports GE employee and retiree giving and involvement in GE communities around the world. In 2004, the GE Family contributed $150 million to community and educational programs, including $52 million from the GE Foundation. For information, visit www.gefoundation.com.