The BTE-New Brunswick program seeks to increase the number of students attending institutions of higher education and pursuing high-level healthcare careers. To achieve these goals, Johnson & Johnson and Rutgers University implement activities aimed at enhancing the academic and extracurricular performance of 27 students from New Brunswick Health Science Technology High School (NBHSTHS) or New Brunswick High School.
In 2008-2009, the program “built a strong academic foundation.” BTE students strengthened basic academic concepts and mastered core math and science fundamentals through weekly academic support and tutoring with students from Rutgers University. Rutgers University’s Marine Science Department hosted BTE students for a marine biology research project and organized related field trips.
School Year 2009-2010, “excellence in academia,” focuses on developing and strengthening test taking and study skills. The Saturday Academy at Rutgers University will include academic support sessions, as well as Chemistry, Geometry, and Algebra II tutorials. BTE students will also complete a science-based, team project.Johnson & Johnson Mentors will help students explore potential healthcare careers, and BTE students will spend four days job shadowing a STEM professional.
In Year 3, the program will be devoted to college connections, college preparation and mastering the SATs.All students will participate in an intense SAT Prep course run by the New Brunswick Saturday Scholars Program.Students will receive guidance from the Johnson & Johnson Mentors on their college and scholarship applications and participate in a six-week Summer Program, preparing them for college-level Biology and Chemistry.
During the final year of the program, BTE “college-bound” students will be given a host of college application assistance. Students will take two college level English courses, equivalent to Basic Composition 100 and Expository Writing 101 at Rutgers University, receiving up to six college credits.
Throughout the program, BTE students work with Johnson & Johnson mentors forty hours per year, developing life skills and soft skills, which are necessary in a professional environment. Visits and tours to Johnson & Johnson World Headquarters and other local operating companies will expose students to different healthcare careers.
