MiSTEM Collaborative landing page

CS for Michigan - Expand access to, and highlight the importance of, high-quality Computer Science experiences

Michigan M in STEM - Elevating Math as the language of STEM, and as a tool for STEM exploration

Science & Engineering for Michigan - Ensure that students have Science and Engineering Literacy as a 21st century skill

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer is shining a spotlight on the power of hands-on learning to prepare Michiganders for in-demand, good-paying careers through high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that are helping students gain the real-world skills they need to succeed. That’s why Gov. Whitmer, along with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), has proclaimed February as Career and Technical Education Month!

With nearly 500,000 job openings projected in our state each year through 2032, CTE offers high school and college students hands-on learning experiences that can be applied to real-world training and career pathways. This February, students and job seekers of all ages are encouraged to explore programs that pave the way for career success, advancement, and further education.

“Career and Technical Education programs prepare Michiganders of all ages for high-skill, high-wage and in-demand careers,” said Governor Whitmer. “CTE programs also support Michigan businesses by developing the talent they need to fill jobs and grow our economy. Through our ongoing commitment to supporting our workforce, we’re creating opportunities for people to get the skills they need to secure brighter futures in Michigan.”

Alpena, MI – The Huron Shores Ed Tech Conference is set to return to Alpena Community College on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, bringing together educators, technology specialists, and industry leaders for a day of innovation and collaboration in educational technology. The purpose of the conference is to support educators in utilizing technology in their classrooms to enhance teaching and learning.

This year’s conference is thrilled to announce Mark Lyons as the opening keynote speaker. Mark is the Instructional Technology & STEM Integration Program Director for Saginaw ISD and serves as the Region 9 Director of the Regional Educational Media Center (REMC). Over the past two years, he has traveled the nation, delivering presentations on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in education. With a Bachelor of Science in Education from Saginaw Valley State University and a Master’s in Educational Technology from Central Michigan University, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. He spent 14 years as a Special Education teacher, holding endorsements in Autism & Emotional Impairment.

Beyond his work in instructional technology, Mark is also the co-founder of the non-profit program All Music Is Power, which promotes inclusive music education. Additionally, he is a Chapter Leader for Makers Making Change, an international initiative dedicated to achieving economic and social inclusiveness for people with disabilities.

The Huron Shores Ed Tech Conference will feature a diverse lineup of sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities designed to empower educators with the latest in technology-driven teaching strategies. A call for speakers will be announced soon, inviting passionate educators and tech innovators to share their expertise.

The conference is proudly supported by the Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District, REMC, and the MiSTEM Network.

For more information, stay tuned for updates or reach out to the conference organizers.

Contact:
Ashlie O’Connor
oconnora@amaesd.org
AMAESD

The Michigan DNR Salmon in the Classroom program helps hundreds of third through 12th grade classrooms across the state to raise, learn from and release young Chinook salmon in approved waterways. Over 30,000 students learn to appreciate these great natural resources each year.

Registration for the VPP virtual training series is open!

The Vernal Pool Patrol is a community-science program dedicated to mapping and monitoring vernal pools across Michigan. NEMIGLSI teachers/students have helped with this patrol in the past and it serves as a great place-based stewardship education activity.

The training will consist of three parts/sessions presented on Tuesday evenings: March 4, 11, and 18 from 6:00-8:00 pm EST

Join 4-H staff as we meet scientists from across Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, the MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and more! Take a look into life as a fisheries and wildlife researcher and manager! Follow along as we climb through bogs, peer into bear dens, mist net songbirds, snorkel for fish, or perhaps even tag deer. Meet researchers, learn about their field work, and the education and career path they've followed to get there.

ABOUT THIS SERIES:
Sessions last approximately 30 minutes and will feature 1-2 guest researchers. Following presentations, youth will be encouraged to ask questions to learn more through a live Q&A with scientists. Suggested audience age is 12-19 years. Viewers are encouraged to watch together with their families. This series is open to both 4-H members and non-4-H members. The series is free of charge.

DURATION:
This is an ongoing program that will continue through March 2025. By signing up for this program you agree to receive weekly emails directly related to this program for the duration of the event. Should the program no longer be of interest to you, please contact the event coordinator or feel free to cancel your registration using the link in your registration confirmation email to stop any further communication.

COST:
FREE

Monthly Sessions will be held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. ET through March.

• Oct. 8, 2024
• Nov. 12, 2024
• Dec. 10, 2024
• Jan. 14, 2025
• Feb. 11, 2025
• March 11, 2025
• April 8, 2025 (tentative)

LOCATION:
Online Meeting will be held using the app called Zoom. Link/password for the meeting will be in the registration confirmation email.

Explore exciting Computer Science workshops with CSforMichigan Collaborative this summer!

This summer, CSforMichigan Collaborative is thrilled to welcome teachers to a variety of engaging Computer Science workshops. Workshops are tailored to different grade levels and content areas. Each session is designed to inspire, inform, and elevate your teaching experience. Don't miss this chance to connect with fellow educators and explore innovative CS topics. Join us for an enriching summer of learning and collaboration!

Location: Bay City, MI

Dates: July 28-August 1, 2025 (SAVE THE DATE!)

Check out our TeacherCon Conference Page!

Register for Code.org Workshops

Register for Elementary Bootcamp or Bootstrap Workshops

Code.org AP CSA, AP CS Principles, or CS Discoveries

CS Workshops for High School & Middle School

The workshop is a nine-day professional learning series in Summer 2024, spanning five consecutive days in the summer and four days virtually during the school year. It supports new-to-CS and veteran CS teachers with the tools to implement MS & HS courses.

Who is Invited: 6th-12th grade educators

Workshop Dates/Locations:

• TEACHERCON- Bay City - July 28 - August 1, 2025, <or>

• Virtual - Aug 4 - 8 , 2024

What is included ($2,500-$3,000 value):

• Workshop registration, workshop materials, 5-nights lodging, breakfast/lunch meals, and swag ($750 stipend for virtual participants)

Kickstarting CS in Elementary Grades

This three day workshop series will equip educators with a fundamental computer science curriculum, connections to physical computing, and laying the groundwork to integrate computer science into core curriculum.

Who is Invited: Kdg-5th grade educators

‘Workshop Dates/Locations:

• TEACHERCON- Bay City - July 28 - 30, 2025, <or>

• Macomb ISD - Aug 4 - 6, 2025

What is included ($1,500 value):

• Workshop registration, workshop materials, 3-nights lodging, breakfast/lunch meals, and a Micro:bit

Register for Elementary Bootcamp or Bootstrap Workshops

HB 5649 has been signed! This will require all high schools in Michigan to offer a computer science course. Take a look over what MDE has released and I would suspect that we will get more information from them in time.

WHEN DO SCHOOLS HAVE TO PUT THIS IN PLACE

Beginning in the school year 2027-28. This gives districts plenty of time to plan, do curriculum reviews, and designate an instructor for the class. MiSTEM Advisory Council Grants - Computer Science Collaborative is providing no-cost-to professional learning to help instructors.

CSforMichigan Collaborative

The Collaborative is working on a one-page document that will help folks about the bill and what supports/resources are available. More to come about how the Collaborative will work with partners to communicate this out over the next year.

Are you looking for more clarity on how to conduct place-based education (PBE) with your students? Are you a community partner trying to get your staff on board with the concepts of PBE?

Check out Michigan Learning Channel's PBE Video Playlist and learn how to consider math as an outdoor subject, how to practice intentional inquiry with young learners, and explore other skills.

The playlist of curated videos was developed by the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.

Free workshop at MSU St Andrews in Midland for school staff who want to learn more abut school gardens, farm to school, ten cents a meal.

Friday March 14th, 2025

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Register by February 28th

Space is limited

Take a pledge of sustainability and become a Michigan Green School! The application process is now open through March 9th.

The Michigan Green Schools Program supports and celebrates the achievements of PreK-12 schools in protecting the state's air, land, water, and ecosystems through their commitments to environmental education and stewardship actions.

Applications are accepted from January 1st through early March of each year. Visit the portal for activity ideas and to view a sample application.

Join this network of educators engaging students in STEM thinking and learning. Innovator's Mindset Book Study.

9/25 Dinner 5:00-7:30 in Grayling.

Materials and give-aways we will use through the year!

Virtual... 4:00-5:30 Zoom.

Thursday 12/5

Wednesday 2/26

Thursday 4/24

Let’s Build Something Together

February 22, 2025

Visit STARBASEALPENA.ORG for details and to sign up!

We’re thrilled to host another brick-building competition! School-age students can participate in the original competition by building their projects at home and dropping them off for judging. For those who prefer a live challenge,

teams of 3-5 people can compete in the

LIVE brick build, showcasing their skills in front of an audience!

The competition returns to the incredible Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center! For full details and deadlines, visit the STARBASE website.

Please enjoy the February Edition of the Instructional Technology Newsletter from REMC 3.

This edition includes:

• AI Privacy & Safety Checks
• 10 Components for Prompt Engineering
• REMC Courses
• AI Webinars
• EDU on Air-Google Webinars
• MACUL

Check out the latest Science & Tech News from Adrianne Cole at BAISD.

January 2025: https://secure.smore.com/n/duz5j

February 2025 link to the February newsletter

Are you a K-12 Teacher looking for funding to attend a conference or workshop?

The K-12 Educator Incentive Program of the Michigan Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) is designed to:

• Encourage teachers to engage in STEAM educational enhancement activities, such as conferences and workshops, related to mathematics, science, and technology.
• Purchase materials and supplies for innovative instructional initiatives.

Preference is given to activities directly related to NASA strategic interests, including aerospace, space science, and Earth system science. Activities in other related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) fields, including educational research topics in STEAM, are also eligible for consideration.

Details at a Glance:

• Awards $400.00 maximum for conferences and workshops $200.00 maximum for materials and supplies
• Funding period: Available throughout the year.
• Award disbursement: Approximately one month after submission of application
• Eligibility: This program is open to participation from K-12 educators throughout the state who are currently teaching in a traditional classroom. Women, under-represented minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here for more information and how to apply.

Use this free tool to help you locate STEM grant opportunities available in your community! Funds may be used for a variety of learning activities, including technology, science and engineering kits, and makerspaces - anything that expands STEM education. Grants are supported by federal, state, and local foundations/corporations.

Local Community Foundations offer many grant opportunities for teachers and schools.

Going PRO with Professional Trades Careers in Michigan

Discover how Michigan is Going PRO with professional trades. Find rewarding careers with competitive salaries and less schooling in a variety of emerging industries. Learn how you can get started on a Professional Trades career path today.

launchgoing-pro.com

• ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS Careers related to the humanities and to the performing, visual, literary and media arts.
• BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND TECHNOLOGY Careers related to all aspects of business including accounting, business administration, finance, information processing, and marketing.
• ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY Careers related to the technologies necessary to design, develop, install, or maintain physical systems.
• HEALTH SCIENCES Careers related to the promotion of health as well as the treatment of injuries, conditions, and disease.
• HUMAN SERVICES Careers in early childhood, civil service, education, hospitality, and the social services.
• NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRISCIENCE Careers related to natural resources, agriculture, and the environment.