Learning Central

Field Trips

The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) located in the American Dream Mall offers an interactive and inspirational experience for students. Through high tech, action- orientated exhibits, the NJHOF highlights the achievements of New Jerseyans who have significantly contributed to various fields, including science, arts, politics, and sports. The exhibits are designed to spark curiosity, foster creativity, and encourage students to reflect on their own potential to make a difference.

Educators bringing students to the New Jersey Hall of Fame will have the opportunity to inspire their students through lessons that not only cover traditional subjects like Science, Math, English Language Arts (ELA), Social Studies, and the Arts, but also offer valuable life lessons in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and citizenship. The Hall of Fame showcases the cultural, historical, and societal contributions of famous New Jerseyans, linking the local impact to the global effect New Jerseyans have and will continue to have on society. Through immersive learning, students gain a deeper understanding of the potential within themselves and the impact they can have on their community and beyond.

Field trip programming at NJHOF is proudly supported by Teachers’ Insurance Plan, whose partnership helps to expand access to meaningful educational experiences for students across the state. Through this support, Teachers’ Insurance Plan sponsors NJHOF Field Trip Passports that guide student exploration, provides field trip grants to help reduce financial barriers for schools, and supports Educator Preview Days, to give teachers the opportunities to experience NJHOF programming firsthand and bring it back to their classrooms with confidence. NJHOF would like to thank Teachers’ Insurance Plan for their generous support of our field trip programming.

Schools are encouraged to apply for this grant for classes of up to 50 students, plus chaperones. The next drawing will take place on May 8, 2026.

Click Here to Apply Today!

Educator Resources

These lessons are designed to be used in place of an on site visit, as pre field trip lessons designed to deepen background knowledge and schema, and post field trip lessons designed to strengthen connections to and reflect on information learned.

Biographies

These lessons are aligned with NJSLS informational writing standards- IW Standards, WP standards, and WR standards, and can be used in place of an on site visit or as pre or post visit lessons.

Pre-Visit Lessons

NJHOF Lesson Plans

Website Lesson Plans

Interested in more inductee lesson plans? Email alexandra@njhalloffame.org

Post-Visit Lessons

Classroom Hall of Fame:

Debate:

Post-Visit Lessons:

Special Programs and Partnerships

Montclair State University College for Education and Engaged Learning x NJHOF

The New Jersey Hall of Fame proudly partners with Montclair State University’s ADP Center for Learning Technologies to provide high-quality, technology-rich professional development grounded in New Jersey’s legacy of leadership, innovation, and civic impact. Together, we design engaging sessions at NJHOF at American Dream that blend the ADP Center’s expertise, NJHOF x MSU’s educator network, and NJHOF’s powerful inductee stories.

This collaboration strengthens our shared commitment to supporting educators and inspiring students statewide.
In February 2026, NJHOF and Montclair State University hosted two afternoon professional development sessions at NJHOF at American Dream: “Innovation in Action: Teaching with New Jersey Legends” and “Storytelling, Technology, and Civic Impact in the Classroom.” These sessions brought together New Jersey educators to explore strategies for integrating local history, storytelling, and emerging technologies into classroom instruction. Participants engaged with NJHOF exhibits and inductee stories while examining ways to connect these real-world examples to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards through interdisciplinary, inquiry-based learning.

Check back soon for upcoming Montclair State University x NJHOF professional development opportunities.

TeachRock x NJHOF

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is proud to partner with TeachRock to unite our missions of inspiring students, supporting educators, and celebrating New Jersey’s legacy of excellence. Together, we connect NJHOF inductees to dynamic, standards-aligned TeachRock lessons and offer collaborative professional development at NJHOF at American Dream.

TeachRock is a free, standards-aligned curriculum that brings academic subjects like Social Studies, Language Arts, and STEAM to life through music and pop culture. Designed by educators and artists, the lessons help students connect more deeply to what they’re learning and to each other. Founded by Stevie Van Zandt with support from Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, TeachRock began as a way to tackle the dropout crisis. Today, it has reached over one million students, empowering teachers to reimagine their classrooms and helping students stay engaged through graduation and beyond.

Through this partnership, educators gain meaningful tools to bring music, media, storytelling, and local heroes into the classroom. TeachRock is a free, standards-aligned curriculum that brings academic subjects like Social Studies, Language Arts, and STEAM to life through music and pop culture. Designed by educators and artists, the lessons help students connect more deeply to what they’re learning and to each other. Founded by Stevie Van Zandt with support from Bono, Jackson Browne, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Springsteen, TeachRock began as a way to tackle the dropout crisis. Today, it has reached over one million students, empowering teachers to reimagine their classrooms and helping students stay engaged through graduation and beyond.

In February, NJHOF and TeachRock hosted a full-day professional development session titled “Teaching History through New Jersey Music Legends.” This session provided New Jersey educators with five hours of certified professional development focused on integrating music, cultural storytelling, and local leadership into standards-aligned classroom instruction. Participants explored TeachRock resources alongside NJHOF content to develop cross-curricular strategies that support student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world connections while aligning with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for Social Studies and history.

To view lessons that connect directly to NJHOF inductees and themes and to explore ready-to-use classroom resources and strategies:

Visit TeachRock

Teachers' Insurance Plan x NJHOF

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is proud to partner with Teachers’ Insurance Plan in support of New Jersey educators. Through the generous support of TIP, NJHOF is able to offer Educator Preview Days for local teachers and enhance our Field Trip Passport program.

As a result, every student who visits on a field trip receives an NJHOF Passport, extending learning beyond the visit and inspiring continued exploration, motivation, and connection both inside and outside the classroom. Their commitment to New Jersey’s educators helps us offer a meaningful, inspiring experience at NJHOF at American Dream, where teachers explore exhibits, connect with local stories of excellence, and discover new classroom resources.

Together, we celebrate the vital work of educators and ensure they have access to the tools and inspiration they deserve.

Learn More About NJHOF’s Educator Preview Day

National History Day New Jersey (William Patterson University) x NJHOF

New Jersey National History Day (NJ NHD), hosted by William Paterson University, is a statewide academic program that engages students in grades 6–12 in authentic historical research. Students explore topics connected to an annual theme and present their work through exhibits, documentaries, performances, websites, or research papers. NJ NHD emphasizes inquiry-based learning, primary source analysis, and critical thinking, culminating in a state competition where top students advance to the national level.

For more information:

Visit NJ History Day

The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) Special Award – “New Jersey Changemakers Award” recognizes exceptional student projects that highlight influential New Jersey individuals whose contributions have shaped communities, the state, or the world. The award celebrates leadership, perseverance, civic engagement, and innovation, aligning with NJHOF’s mission to inspire future generations by honoring New Jersey’s legacy of excellence.

Girl Scouts x NJHOF

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is proud to partner with the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey to deliver impactful, leadership-focused programming that empowers young women to explore their potential, build confidence, and connect with real-world role models. Rooted in NJHOF’s mission to inspire future generations by honoring New Jersey’s legacy of excellence, this partnership creates meaningful opportunities for Girl Scouts to engage with stories of leadership, resilience, and achievement across industries.

In March, NJHOF and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey hosted the Women in Leadership Panel Discussion at NJHOF at American Dream. This dynamic event brought together accomplished female leaders from media, education, athletics, and nonprofit leadership to share their experiences, challenges, and insights. Through an engaging and honest conversation, panelists emphasized the importance of mentorship, self-advocacy, and using one’s voice to lead with purpose. Girl Scouts in attendance had the opportunity to hear directly from women who are shaping their fields, ask questions, and reflect on their own leadership journeys.

This event represents just one part of a growing partnership focused on providing Girl Scouts with immersive, standards-aligned experiences that connect leadership development with real stories of impact from NJHOF inductees and community leaders.

Explore upcoming Girl Scout programs at NJHOF:

Visit NJHOF Events

Scholarships

Areté Scholarship

The Areté Scholarship is awarded to deserving high school seniors in NJ for use towards their college or trade school education. Rooted in the ancient concept of Areté, Scholarship winners exemplify moral excellence of character and a determination to achieve their goals regardless of the challenges they meet on their path to greatness.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame (NJHOF) awards The Areté Scholarship in partnership with the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and ADP.

Essay Contest

Annual Writing Contest for NJ Students Grades 3-11

Who belongs in the New Jersey Hall of Fame? This annual writing contest invites NJ students in grades 3-11 to shape the future of the NJHOF by recommending potential inductees—living or dead. Nominations can include famous people or even ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things in New Jersey. Students should research or interview (if possible) the person they wish to nominate and write an essay no longer than 500 words. Three categories for submission exist: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-11. The winner of each category will receive a $500 prize.

The NJHOF presents the annual Essay Contest in partnership with the NJEA.

Learn More | Apply Now