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Local to Global STEAM Project

RU-N The 2025 Dr. Paul Shane Social Welfare Policy Symposium

Friday, February 28th

On February 28, 2025, Stockton University hosted the Annual Dr. Paul Shane Policy Symposium in collaboration with the New Jersey Baccalaureate Social Work Education Association and the Child Welfare Education Institute. This year’s symposium was a dynamic gathering that provided students an opportunity to present their research and innovative projects to a broad audience.

Among the featured presentations were two RU-N students, Carina and Olivia, who, are also OGIEL staff, presented their groundbreaking work on the Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Project. This project is part of the We Care Solar initiative, which provides sustainable energy solutions to underserved communities by distributing solar-powered Suitcases to schools in regions like Tanzania, and Belize.

Carina and Olivia’s presentation focused on how We Share Solar has been instrumental in making students feel safer and more secure in their schools. By providing schools with solar-powered lighting and educational resources, these Suitcases ensure that classrooms remain illuminated even in areas without reliable access to electricity. This not only makes the learning environment safer but also extends the time available for learning, particularly in regions where electricity outages are frequent.

The initiative also promotes solar education, empowering students with knowledge about renewable energy. Carina and Olivia emphasized how the project has not only brought much-needed resources to these communities but has also sparked a sense of global service and solidarity among the students involved. By introducing solar energy solutions to these regions, the project is inspiring the next generation of leaders to consider sustainable solutions to energy challenges on a global scale.

Their presentation highlighted the tangible impact of We Share Solar, showing how it’s helping to bridge the gap in education and creating a lasting effect on both students and teachers in these communities. Carina and Olivia’s contribution to the symposium was an excellent example of how S.T.E.A.M. education and global service can intersect to create meaningful, real-world impact. Their work continues to inspire and prove that when we think globally and act locally, we can make a real difference.

Rutgers Newark- School of Arts & Science -Social Work Students

The Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Project is the educational arm of We Care Solar, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions for equitable healthcare and education in underserved communities. Established in 2012, this immersive initiative fosters community engagement while highlighting the importance of sustainable living for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students worldwide.

This hands-on STEAM education program seamlessly integrates practical engineering skills with global humanitarian service, empowering students to construct and distribute Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases to schools in regions lacking reliable energy sources. The project actively involves educators and students in solar education initiatives, promoting a project-based learning approach.

Through our strategic partnership with the Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Project, the Office of Global Initiatives and Experiential Learning (OGIEL) creates immersive, hands-on learning opportunities in our travel programs. These experiences equip students with the skills needed to collaborate with international partners to expand the utilization of Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases in global communities. This collaborative effort encompasses interdisciplinary initiatives that include sustainable living, community leadership, clean solar energy, K-12 education, and public health.

The construction of Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases is undertaken by students from Newark Public High Schools, while teams of undergraduate and graduate students from the RU-N International Leadership Exchange (ILE) program manage their deployment in resource-constrained rural communities. To date, International Leadership Exchange teams, in conjunction with Newark Public Schools, have successfully deployed 32 Local to Global S.T.E.A.M. Suitcases, executed 7 school revitalization projects, and initiated 5 community gardening restoration efforts. These endeavors have positively impacted over 40,000 individuals in Tanzania, Zanzibar, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, India, and Belize.