Nurture thru Nature was initiated in Summer 2010 as a partnership of Rutgers University, Johnson & Johnson Worldwide, New Brunswick Public Schools, and the New Brunswick Education Foundation (NBEF) to support students from the Paul Robeson Community School. Currently, we have students from Paul Robeson, Lord Stirling, Roosevelt, Redshaw, McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson participating in the Nurture thru Nature Program.
Funding for this program is provided by Johnson & Johnson Worldwide and New Brunswick Education Foundation (NBEF), with in kind support from Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS/DAFRE) and Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy.
Rutgers University
Johnson & Johnson
“The concept resonates with Johnson & Johnson values. Through a committed partnership, Johnson & Johnson and Rutgers have played prominent roles in New Brunswick over the course of many years. We share a common goal of bringing health and vitality to the New Brunswick community. The Nuture thru Nature program has enabled us to engage the school district, neighborhood school, parents, students and community residents. This is a wonderful program model of a community coming together to achieve success for its children. What better investment than enriching the lives of children who are our future leaders of tomorrow. My special thanks to Rutgers Professors Michael Camasso and Radha Jagannathan for their visionary thinking and dedication and commitment to this important program.”
Joanne Fillweber
Retired
New Brunswick Public Schools
“The Nurture to Nature program is a partnership between Johnson & Johnson, Rutgers University and New Brunswick Public Schools. We have cohorts of students in 9 of our district schools ranging from 4th grade to 10th grade. The program provides hands-on activities related to the district science curriculum. The City of New Brunswick supported the creation of 3 gardens at Woodrow Wilson, Mckinley, and New Brunswick Middle School. This is a program that involves research which compare the progress of the students who were randomly selected to join the program with the progress of students who have not participated. Past district data shows that students in the program out perform their peers in the Language Arts, Science and Mathematics as measured by report card grades. The Board of Education supports the Nurture to Nature program and we are committed to its success.”
Dr. Aubrey A. Johnson
Superintendent of New Brunswick Public Schools
“I am thrilled to have Rutgers University and The Nurture Through Nature program as partners with Paul Robeson Community School. Students involved in the program have participated in a wide variety of activities that extend their learning in the areas of Science and Math. Through participating in this program our students have visited Rutgers Gardens and met with horticulturalists, planned, designed and created a garden in their own community, worked with exemplary Rutgers staff and students, and given presentations to schoolmates about the learning that’s taken place in the NtN program.
Having the chance to participate in this program is making a tremendous impact on the lives of our students by exposing them to the many opportunities available to them in the fields of science and technology.
Staff members of the NtN program have been extremely supportive of our students and their families, always striving to keep students engaged and involved. The NtN staff members’ dedication and support of the Paul Robeson Community School students involved in the program is tremendous and should serve as a model for further programs between Rutgers University and the New Brunswick Public School District.
I can only hope that other students in the New Brunswick community get the opportunity to participate in this wonderfully dynamic and stimulating program!”
Kelly D. Mooring
Principal, Paul Robeson Community School