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| Our mission is to be the catalyst for equitable access and engagement in authentic STEM experiences in every community in Michigan. MiSTEM Network Home |
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| On behalf of MiSTEM Region 9 – West Central – I would like to thank the students, teachers, and administrators at our Career and Technical Education Centers across the West Central Region. Feel free to reach out to your favorite CTE instructor, administrator, or assistant at one of our three CTE/CTCs and thank them for their work and passion that prepares our future workforce.
West Shore CTE
Director James Bandstra
Website Wexford-Missaukee CTC
Director Tim Rigling
Website |
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| Dr. Rema Reynolds Vassar and Dr. Clyde Barnett III would like to invite you to participate in the Sankofa Scholar Series, part of Centering Black Children in Education (CBCE)! February’s speaker is Dr. Bettina L. Love!
Session Date: February 22, 2024 Session Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST Session Title: Forty Years of Harm and How We Heal Session Description: Dr. Love delivers a potent narrative during her keynote presentation, shedding light on the impact of four decades of educational reform, particularly on Black children who lived it firsthand. She exposes the profound consequences of these reforms and, drawing insights from leading U.S. economists, provides a reparative roadmap. Emphasizing the pivotal role of transformation, Dr. Love advocates for reparations in her compelling address. Biography: Dr. Bettina L. Love holds the prestigious William F. Russell Professorship at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the acclaimed author of the New York Times bestseller Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal. In 2022, the Kennedy Center recognized Dr. Love as one of the Next 50 Leaders dedicated to making the world more inspired, inclusive, and compassionate. As a co-founder of the Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN), Dr. Love actively contributes to its mission of nurturing and empowering teachers and parents who are committed to fighting injustice within their educational institutions and communities. She has played a pivotal role in overseeing the distribution of over $350,000 in grants to abolitionist initiatives across the nation. Notably, Dr. Love is also a founding member of the Task Force that initiated the groundbreaking program “In Her Hands,” one of the largest guaranteed income pilot programs in the United States. This program has successfully disbursed more than $15 million to support Black women residing in Georgia. Renowned as a highly sought-after public speaker, Dr. Love covers a wide range of compelling topics in her engagements, including abolitionist teaching, anti-racism, Hip Hop education, Black girlhood, queer youth, educational reparations, and the use of art-based education to foster youth civic engagement. Her profound insights and expertise have earned her recognition in various news outlets, including NPR, PBS, The Daily Beast, Time, Education Week, The Guardian, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In 2018, Georgia’s House of Representatives presented Dr. Love with a resolution for her impact on the field of education Dr. Love is also the celebrated author of the bestseller We Want To Do More Than Survive, solidifying her position as a leading voice in the field of education and social justice. |
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| Research tells us that folks with a bachelor’s degree earn $1.3 million more over a lifetime of work than those with no college credential. College is “worth it,” but young people are hearing myths that tell them otherwise. So we need your help! Caseworkers, parents, HR reps, church leaders, community liaisons: Grab your lunch and join Mason and Oceana College Access Network specialists on the 2nd Thursday of each month to explore how to uplift our community by inspiring and supporting people through continued education. Registration link: https://forms.gle/tEB1yrARVuMVVfQX9 |
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| Educator Resources and Professional Learning |
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| | Which Math Recovery Training is for You? |
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| 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. Location change for March 7th to LAKESIDE CHARLIES in Cadillac. |
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| Also included: - Dinner
- $75 Stipend per session
- Up to 15 SCECHs – 3 per session
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| AP CSA, CS Principles, & CS Discoveries Workshop Series
Code.org Workshop for HS & MS
This is a nine day workshop series where participants spend five consecutive days in the Summer 2024 with participants from all around the state and eight after school or weekend modules throughout the following school year. These high-quality workshops offer year-round support for educators as they implement courses that are aligned to the Michigan Computer Science Standards. All facilitators are certified Code.org facilitators, educators, and CS experts.
Code.org Workshop One-Page Flyer – MS Flyer Link & HS Flyer Link
Michigan Code.org Informational Website – Mi-Coding.com & Workshop Details
Link to Application – Code.org Application Page
Workshop Logistics
Summer Workshop
Participants will engage in high quality professional learning workshops during the summer. Participants will have the opportunity to dive into the curriculum, deepen their CS content knowledge, and connect with other CS educators from around the state. A virtual option will be made available for those that are unable to meet face-to-face.
Dates: Two Options for Professional Learning Workshops - Bay City (Face-to-face) – July 8-12, 2024, or
- Virtual Workshop – July 22-July 26, 2024 (Not available for AP CSA)
Summer Workshop Include: - Face-to-face Workshop: Workshop materials, lodging, breakfast/lunch meals, and swag
- Virtual Workshop: Workshop materials, swag, and $750 stipend pending approvals
Quarterly Implementation Workshop
Participants will engage in eight afterschool module workshops throughout the school year to support implementation of CS Discoveries, CS Principles, and AP CSA. These workshops prepare educators for the upcoming curriculum in a timely fashion.
Dates: To be determined – determined during Summer 2024 workshops
Location: Virtual – Zoom connection
Workshops Includes: Workshop Materials, $600 stipend for completion of all module workshops pending approvals
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for educators who are willing to commit to the professional learning series and use the lesson materials in Fall 2024. No computer science experience is required to attend this learning series. Administration at the school district/organization will be part of the application process.
Applications Are Now Available – Apply Today!
Applications are now available on the Code.org website. All participants must complete the application process in order to attend. Participants will automatically be considered for a scholarship (valued at $2,500) as part of the application process. This workshop has limited seats, apply today!
Code.org Application Page |
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| Applications are now open for the Inland Seas Education Association 2024 Great Lakes Watershed Field Course! The GLWFC is a 4-day free professional development experience for teachers from throughout the Great Lakes region and runs from August 6-9, 2024 in Suttons Bay, MI on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. Training in the course includes watershed and environmental concepts, place-based education and environmental education pedagogy, and time for curriculum development. Educators will learn how to engage students in local environmental issues, investigate solutions, devise a plan, and take action during this course. Inland Seas supports teachers throughout the school year with additional training, online forums, and other forms of assistance to help teachers implement their watershed-based stewardship action projects. There is no cost for this experience, but space is limited to 30 participants. Interested educators can learn more and apply at schoolship.org/glwfc. The deadline for applications is April 21, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. EST. |
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| Teaching with Spatial Technology (TwiST), is designed to provide teachers (grades 6-12) with meaningful and challenging lesson plans about using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in the classroom. TwiST is a week-long (June 16-21, 2024) workshop intended to provide the participants with basic proficiencies about some of the many aspects of spatial technology which is growing in importance in this global environment. Covered Expenses: - Overnight Lodging (including breakfast)
- Two Dinners (Welcome BBQ and Farewell Dinner)
Each participant of the program will receive the following materials to keep: - Course hands-on teaching materials
- Garmin GPS Receiver
- ESRI GIS Software for teachers
- 2GB thumb drive loaded with lesson plans
- Hand Compass
- Additional training materials
$100 deposit required to hold your spot.
(100% of deposit will be refunded upon course completion.) Click here for additional information and to access the registration form. |
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| Announcing the Place-Based Education Institute! We are excited to announce the launch of our latest offering, GLSI’s Place-Based Education Institute! K-12 educators throughout Michigan can apply today! The launch of the institute is a strategic step forward for GLSI as we strive to expand access, throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region, to place-based education professional development, resources, funding, and peer learning networks. The institute draws upon GLSI’s 17-year history of leadership and innovation in place-based education design, delivery, evaluation, and development of the Place-Based Stewardship Education model. The institute will be co-facilitated by Mary Whitmore (GLSI Executive Director Emeritus), Caleb Carlton (GLSI Executive Director), and Lisa Marckini-Polk (GLSI’s Project Evaluator). |
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| Salmon in the Classroom Are you ready to join the almost 300 Salmon in the Classroom teachers around the state? Classes raise and learn from Chinook salmon, from eggs in the fall to releasing young smolts in the spring. Classrooms utilize provided activities, maintain the tank, care for the fish and then release them in a fun culmination of the year. Applications are due between Jan. 1 and April 15 each year. Any third-12th grade classrooms are able to apply. |
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| Things to know before you apply: - Applicants will know in May if they are accepted to the program.
- Over the summer, teachers should seek out sponsors and purchase the $1,500-3,000 worth of equipment needed.
- In mid-October, new teachers must attend a two-hour Zoom workshop on aquarium setup and maintenance, then set up their own tanks.
- In mid-November, new teachers must attend a one-day, in-person professional development workshop.
- At the end of the workshop, you get your eggs and go straight to your classroom to acclimate them to your tank.
- From January through release, fish must be fed daily on weekdays, with any debris siphoned out.
- Weekly, you must measure water parameters, siphon the bottom and exchange 25% of the water.
- Throughout the year, you will use the classroom activity guide to incorporate learning about the salmon, the Great Lakes and ecology.
- In the spring, you and your students will select and travel to a local approved stream to release your fish. This day can be a short fieldtrip, or include learning stations and activities.
Apply and learn more:- Read through our Start-Up Guide and Application to understand the program and to apply between Jan. 1 and April 15.
- Check out all our great resources for SIC teachers.
Returning or replacement teachers If you are returning to the program after a year or more off, or you are replacing a teacher that used to participate in the program, you must: - Submit a completed SIC application by Oct. 1.
- Read your confirmation email for the next steps.
For questions about the program, contact the DNR’s aquatic education coordinator, Tracy Page. |
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| Lake City Robotics Competition
March 9th & 10th We are looking for up to sixteen community professionals to fill out the judge panel. It is very important and beneficial for the high school students to interact with adults who have been out working in the real world. We prefer that judge applicants be at least 24 years old. Good judge candidates come from many backgrounds including: - Engineering and manufacturing professionals
- Business professionals, retail, chamber of commerce
- Health care professionals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists
- School professionals, board members, administrators, teachers
No experience is required. The event is a two-day commitment on Saturday and Sunday. If interested, you will not need to know the rules of the competition itself. You will be responsible for judging four to five awards and will be furnished with all the award criteria and interview questions for the teams. Judges will be sent more information and their assignments two to four weeks prior to the event. You will be assigned to judge awards that best fit your interest and experience. More Information |
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| EGLE Accepting Submissions for K-5 Earth Day Poster ContestThe Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) invites students in kindergarten through 5th grade to enter the annual Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest. Prizes are awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners in each grade. Students should include wildlife, plants, land, or freshwater ecosystems native to Michigan in their Earth Day 2024 Poster. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act in 2024, EGLE is also accepting posters that highlight the importance of safe drinking water and source water protection and will award one 1st and one 2nd place prize for this category. Please see the Earth Day webpage to download the forms and poster template. Poster submission deadline is March 8, 2024. For more information, contact Pam Howd at HowdP@Michigan.gov. |
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| EcoGIS Mapping Environmentally Just FuturesFree Pre-College Program
8 Weekly Sessions from February 27 through April 30, 2024
6:00-7:30 pm ET
Deadline to Register: February 12, 2024
No cost to participate. These workshops focus on the intersections of environmental justice (EJ) in Michigan and using technical tools for social change. Through the series, you will be exposed to GIS (geographic information systems) skills and analytical methods to advance EJ efforts in your community and region. The workshop series will incorporate a mini project element focused around an environmental theme. These themes will be explored: - Water & Land Resources
- Energy
- Air & Pollution
- Urban Development
- Conservation & Habitats
- Food & Agriculture
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| Community Foundation Grants Be sure to check September’s MiSTEM Newsletter for Community Foundation Grant information that relates to both Fall and Spring Application Due Dates. |
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| 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. Sign-up for our newsletter and get more information at www.mistemregion9.com. |
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