The Michigan Department of Education’s efforts to support African American students began in 2015 with the creation of the African American Young Men of Promise Initiative (AAYMPI). In 2017, the Initiative expanded to include the support for young Black men and women in Michigan schools through the African American Student Initiative (AASI). To date, the AASI is the only State-level Initiative to reach classrooms and has engaged with over 1,500 Michigan educators.

Each year the Initiative is designed to take educators on a journey that focuses on personal and professional transformation by providing the brave space to reflect and dialogue about topics that are central to our collective humanity. Together educators engage in learning that explores facets of their cultural selves and the intersection of their multiple identities. Additionally, the Initiative equips educators to examine and interrogate individual and collective values and beliefs to eliminate marginalization, disparities, and disproportionality within Michigan schools. Integrating knowledge, skills, and behaviors that systemically eradicate racism and advance diversity, justice, equity, and inclusion is the core of this Initiative.

Phase 1

The initial Phase of the AASI grounds participants in a common vocabulary and understanding of topics such as race, racism, microaggressions, privilege, implicit bias, equity, and inclusion through dialogue and self-reflective practices. Educators are provided space to examine and critique their existing individual and collective belief and value systems that reproduce inequities in the status quo.

Phase 1 Application

Phase 2

After completing Phase 1, Phase 2 continues the journey of examining and dismantling systemic barriers of race, power, and privilege in educational spaces.  The next Phase of the Initiative builds on Phase 1 learning of self-reflective practice, dialogic communication structures, and the common understanding of topics such as race, racism, privilege, and implicit bias. Together, Michigan researchers, practitioners, and educators engage in shared learning to transform critical consciousness from theory to action by addressing social injustices that prohibit liberation, justice, and the prioritizing of humanity in educational systems.

Each Phase is:

• Available for educators across Michigan;
• Free for educators associated with schools designated as Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI), Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI), and Additional Targeted Support (ATS); and
• Offered with FREE SCECHs

For more information regarding the MDE’s AASI, please email MDE-AASI@michigan.gov or Dr. Jill Griffin.

Come experience the Challenge Cards at the next STEM Leaders Meeting in Oceana County on February 8th. More information and registration for STEM Leaders can be found HERE. 

Michigan, together with business, education, and community partners, is embarking on a journey to make Michigan a world leader in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. The work of the MiSTEM Network is to build on existing STEM networks to create a STEM ecosystem that supports and implements the components outlined in the four pillars: creating a STEM culture; empowering STEM teachers; integrating business and education; and, ensuring high quality STEM experiences.

This story map provides an interactive map to explore where various STEM career opportunities are in the west central region.

STEM Leaders Network

Engage in conversations with colleagues from Region 9 on topics related to STEM and 3-P learning. Collaborate with the STEM business/industry community. Enjoy a complimentary dinner and take away new ideas to use in your classroom and school.

Also included:

• Dinner
• $75 Stipend per session
• Up to 15 SCECHs – 3 per session

Desmos PL Workshops

This workshop introduces new users to Desmos, showcases using activities in different scenarios, introduces users to creating custom activities, and introduces users to Computation Layer, which adds spice to the activities. Throughout the workshop, we break down into build-along sessions, where teachers can put their new understanding into practice by creating to meet their individual needs.

Workshop Objectives

• Introduces teachers to the different Desmos calculator tools.
• Practical ways to teach lessons using Desmos activities.
• Addresses all levels of teacher familiarity, from beginners to experienced users.
• Strategies to improve the depth of student thinking using the Desmos platform.
• Practical ways to create and use Computation Layer to add engagement to your lessons.
• Classroom-tested lessons and tips to reach students’ levels of understanding.

1/23/24 – Wexford-Missaukee ISD

2/19/24 – West Shore ESD

2/20/24 – Mecosta-Osceola ISD

Register HERE

Register HERE

Register HERE

• All workshops are from 8:30am-3:30pm
• Lunch is provided at all locations
• SCECHs are pending approval
• Sub costs are not covered by MiSTEM Network or ISDs
• Bring your own laptop or Chrome book

Questions contact MiSTEM Regional Director, Brian Dotson at briandotson@wsesd.org.

Timeline and Application Updates for 2023-2024:

Reminders

• Application period is January 1 – March 3 for 2024
• Applications are online again this year, along with your review and approval.
• Flags are now free for schools receiving certification for the first time. Schools can also request a free flag once every 5 years.
• No more requirement for a signed letter for support from administrators.

 
State of Michigan Earth Day 2024
EGLE is leading the development of an Earth Day Student Summit on April 25, 2024 at Kellogg Conference Center, MSU, East Lansing. This event is for students in grades 6-12 and is geared toward student leaders (Think: Green Teams) and those who are interested in sustainability. Registration will open in early 2024, but please share information so that schools can save the date. Space will be limited. More information on that event and other EGLE-sponsored Earth Day events is at www.michigan.gov/EarthDay.

Encourage high school students to become coders with Girls Who Code in summer 2024!

Girls Who Code offers free virtual programs for high school girls and non-binary students to learn the computer science skills they need to make an impact. More than learning to code, participants will meet inspiring professionals across diverse industries and tap into lifelong college and career support to help them succeed in their first interviews and jobs.

• In the 2-week Summer Immersion Program for current 9th-11th graders, participants will join live, supportive classrooms hosted by industry-leading companies like MetLife, Bank of America, and Accenture. They’ll learn the fundamentals of game design, UX, and the iterative design process. By the end of the program, participants will build a suite of short games using p5.js, a JavaScript library for creative coding. Eligible students can apply for laptop or hotspot access and $300 grants for financial support.

• In our 6-week Self-Paced Program for current 9th-12th graders, participants will learn to code through independent study and real-world projects. Students can choose from four learning tracks and earn beginner-level certificates of completion in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript for web development or intermediate-level certificates of completion in Python for cybersecurity, data science, or artificial intelligence.

Fill out the interest form at girlswhocode.com/summerapply to be one of the first to know when the application goes live in mid-January.

All high school girls and non-binary students are welcome to apply, including past participants. We especially encourage students historically underrepresented in tech to apply, including students who are Black, Latinx, or eligible for free or reduced lunch. 

Share our digital flyer, request a pack of physical flyers, or watch a webinar for more information.

The U.S. Department of Education, in partnership with EXPLR, will co-present the first-ever National STEM Festival to celebrate student achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This festival is dedicated to showcasing innovative student solutions to urgent global challenges.

Mark your calendars for April 11-13, 2024, as the National STEM Festival is set to take place in Washington, DC. Sign-up below for event schedule, featured speakers, and various activities.

Phillipe Cousteau Jr.’s nonprofit EarthEco International is inviting submissions from United States teens aged 13-16 to compete in the 2024 OurEcho STEM Challenge. The challenge goal is for proposals to identify local ecological threats to biodiversity and propose solutions to protect or repair them.

Applications from U.S. individuals or teams of up to three will be open through March 1, 2024. Teams can enter directly without an adult teacher or mentor this year. Although entries can be supported with free resources from the OurEcho Challenge, such resources are not required to enter. There is no cost to submit an entry.

EarthEcho will select 10 finalist teams in April 2024 to compete for project grants to bring their proposals to reality. Three individuals or teams will be awarded grant awards of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 to develop their projects.

Online Mathematics and Literacy Tool Grant Application Process

MDE is announcing the availability of funds under Public Act 103 of 2023 Section 99u for Fiscal Year 2023-24 (FY24) to provide districts access to Imagine Learning online mathematics and literacy tools.  This grant opportunity for site licenses will be awarded to ISDs and LEAs, both traditional public school districts and public school academies, through a competitive application process from funds allocated section 99u. The total amount of funding available is $6 million.

2023 – 128 Announcing the Online Mathematics and Literacy Tool Application Process

• Every district is still trying to support non-CS teachers to incorporate CS into other classes.        
• The application is not overly complicated 
• Funding can support costs of mentoring and coaching staff in CT or CS
• Funding can support costs for professional learning

• Attend CS or AI conferences 
• Provide support for educators to attend TeacherCon (Code.org or Bootstrap trainings)
• Pay for CS Coaches or Mentors

• CS Action Area Example – Code.org Educators Becoming Coaches
• MDE Example – Elementary Focus Professional Learning 

2024-2025 Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), is pleased to announce the Nita M. Lowey 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (21^st CCLC) grant program opportunity.

The purpose of the 21^st CCLC grant program is to create community learning centers for those times when school is not in session. Programs must provide students with academic enrichment opportunities as well as additional activities designed to complement their regular academic program.

These funds will be awarded through a competitive grant process to intermediate school districts and local education agencies, both traditional public school districts and public school academies, community-based organizations (CBOs), Indian tribe or tribal organizations (as such terms are defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and other public or private entities, or a consortium of these entities, to provide comprehensive community learning center services. The 21^st CCLC grant program aligns with Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan (SEP) and supports multiple SEP Goals.

It is strongly suggested that potential applicants participate in the application information webinar on January 16, 2024 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (noon). To determine if your organization qualifies for the grant and to better understand all existing, new, or revised requirements of the grant and competitive grant process, you may register here for the webinar.

A notice of intent to apply form is required to be submitted no later than January 10, 2024 to allow time for MDE staff to provide login and access information to the online application. Submission of this notice is a prerequisite for this application; however, it does not obligate the organization to submit an application.

The intent to apply form and corresponding link will become available for interested organizations to access on the 21^st CCLC webpage under Grant Opportunities no later than December 21, 2023.

Please send any questions about this announcement to Lorraine Thoreson, 21^st CCLC Manager, at ThoresonL@Michigan.gov.

Contact Information

Brian Dotson
Regional Director
(231) 898-1548
briandotson@wsesd.org 

Services provided through a MiSTEM grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.

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