SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION AND REQUIREMENTS
The Christopher John Stupak (CJS) Scholarship for the Next Generation of Elementary School Science Teachers
Christopher John Stupak was an exceptional 5th and 6th grade Elementary School Teacher who had an extraordinary gift of removing the “fear of Science” from his classroom and making Science an exciting adventure for all. Adored by his students and winner of the “Teacher of the Year” twice for his region, Chris passed away suddenly when he was only 45 years old in June of 2012.
In this inaugural year of the CJS Scholarship, the MES Nonprofit will aim to award one or more $5000 scholarships given in the honor of Chris, for current Elementary Education majors who have a demonstrated passion and aptitude for Science, and who will shortly be conducting their full-time and unpaid Student Teaching experience (See “Eligibility Requirements” below). The rationale is to ensure that more Science-Capable Teachers complete their Elementary Education degrees and make it successfully to the classroom in their professional roles and not be stopped or delayed due to financial considerations.
Applicants, please print, fill out, scan, and email the table of general contact and application information (at the bottom of this page) along with the other “Required Application Materials” defined in the sections below to (mainenginestart1@gmail.com) using the email title, “MES CJS Scholarship Application”, by April 15, 2024.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Be a Graduate of the Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Elementary Education Program.
Be enrolled in the Centenary University Elementary Education Program.
Be a Senior in the Centenary University Elementary Education Program and who will conduct their full-time student teaching experience in the Fall Semester of 2024 or the Spring Semester of 2025.
Have a demonstrated passion and aptitude for learning and teaching Science for Elementary School age students.
(Note: Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) is located at 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876 and Centenary University is located at 400 Jefferson Street Hackettstown, NJ 07840)
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on:
Grades earned at RVCC and Centenary University Science courses.
A 1-2 page essay describing the student's passion for learning and teaching Science to Elementary School children, and their financial need. Points to include are: Formative experiences, why Elementary Education, why motivated to teach Science, how will the CJS Scholarship help overcome current financial challenges.
A Lesson Plan written for an Elementary School Science lesson of Physical Science, Biological Science, or Earth Science (Applicant can choose the topic and science area of focus).
Required Application Materials
Applications must include the following:
General contact information table including name, address, cell phone number.
Unofficial transcripts from RVCC and Centenary University. NOTE: The final scholarship awardees will be required to provide official transcripts from RVCC and Centenary University.
A 1-2 page essay describing the student's passion for learning and teaching Science to Elementary School children, and their financial need. Points to include are: Formative experiences, why Elementary Education, why motivated to teach Science, how will the CJS Scholarship help overcome current financial challenges.
A Lesson Plan written for an Elementary School Science lesson of Physical Science, Biological Science, or Earth Science (Applicant can choose the topic and science area of focus).
Scholarship Award Process
The scholarship award process will include the following steps:
Application materials are to be attached and sent in a single email to the MES Nonprofit email address (mainenginestart1@gmail.com) using the email title, “MES CJS Scholarship Application”, by April 15, 2024.
The MES Nonprofit Board of Directors will review the applications and semi-final candidates will be contacted for a further discussion using Zoom.
The MES Nonprofit Board of Directors will make the final scholarship award decision and contact the scholarship winners on or before May 15, 2024.
The final CJS Scholarship winners will be required to provide official transcripts from RVCC and Centenary University.
Final CJS Scholarship winners will be required to meet with MES Board members for a ceremony to award the $5000 check to the winning student, where photos and testimonials related to the CJS Scholarship will be then used on the MES website, mainenginestart.org.
The $5000 award check will be given directly to the CJS Scholarship winning student for use to pay for expenses directly related to completing their full-time Student Teaching experience and completing their Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. (Note: It is important to contact your Tax Advisor regarding the taxability of scholarships.)
The Final CJS Scholarship winners will be encouraged to maintain contact with the MES Board to celebrate their progress and success in their professional career.
Scholarship Diversity and Privacy Statement
The Main Engine Start (MES) Board of Directors administers The Christopher John Stupak (CJS) Scholarship for the Next Generation of Elementary School Science Teachers program.
By accepting the MES CJS Scholarship, the recipient agrees that MES may use photos, testimonials, and biographic accounts as promotional material for the benefit of the MES mission to promote and encourage additional students to become Science-Capable Elementary Education Teachers.
Main Engine Start a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation is a registered 501c3 public charity organization. The CJS Scholarship is awarded without regard to gender, race, color, creed, religion, or national origin.
All application records will be maintained confidential and kept for a period of seven years.
