From The Michigan Works! West Central website: 

More than 1,400 students from 20 high schools across the region took part in the annual MiCareerQuest West Central event on April 23. The event, organized by Michigan Works! West Central, provides area ninth graders the opportunity to meet and speak with local industry professionals in high-demand careers.

A total of 71 local and regional employers, and training providers participated in the event, which was held inside Wink Arena at Ferris State University. Employers on-site were representing the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, as well as in-demand careers such as skilled trades, finance, first responders, IT and more. Training providers like Ferris, West Shore Community College and local career-technical education providers also were at the event highlighting their programs.

Photo Credit: Melica Smith, Reed City Robotics Facebook page.

MACUL Grants are Open

The MACUL 2024-2025 Grant Application Window is Open – Apply Today! 

2024 marks the 37th year of awarding MACUL grants to classrooms and education programs all over Michigan.  MACUL members are eligible to apply for their grants program and can get up to $1,000 for their classrooms.  The grants are awarded to encourage and support members interested in implementing effective instructional uses of technology. 

Each project should focus on an instructional use of technology, which has the potential of being replicated in other educational settings. 

It is strongly recommended that you read the grant guidelines, review the grant rubric, and complete the MACUL Grant Worksheet prior to starting the application. Applications are due by Monday, June 17th, at 5:00 pm.  

• Guidelines 

• Rubric  

• MACUL Grant Worksheet – You must have a Google account to access the editable worksheet with this link. 

Click here to apply. 

Metallurgy is the study of the properties of metals, and the application of this study to metal recovery, production, purification, and use. 

Metallurgists are materials scientists and are also called material engineers. They specialize in metals such as steel, aluminum, iron, and copper. They often work with alloys – metals that are mixed with each other or other elements – to create materials with specific desirable properties. They’re also referred to as metallurgical engineers or material science engineers. 

Metallurgists deal with extracting and processing metals. They examine the performance of metals, and determine which ones can be put to which uses. 

Chemical metallurgists test ores to determine the recoverability of metals from them, and design processes to recover them efficiently. They also monitor metal corrosion and fatigue, and develop ways to strengthen metals. They may also test metals to ensure they’re of acceptable quality. 

Physical metallurgists monitor the behavior of metals under stress, and write reports on test results. They also investigate accidents potentially caused by metallurgical failure. 

Process metallurgists design metal parts and control the processes through which they’re shaped, such as casting. They also weld and solder metal parts together. 

Metallurgists interested in the environment can help design cleaner, less wasteful processes that produce less slag to be landfilled. They can also help optimize product designs so that they’re lighter, requiring fewer resources to produce and less fuel to transport. 

Key metallurgist skills include:  

• Problem solving 
• Interpersonal skills 
• Attention to detail 
• Innovative mindset 
• Persistence 

Materials engineers usually must have at least a bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering. Students typically take courses in engineering, mathematics, calculus, chemistry, and physics. Laboratory work is also required. Some engineering schools offer cooperative 5-6-year programs that combine coursework with job experience. These programs, as well as any other type of hands-on experience, are highly valued by prospective employers. 

The Department of Labor is actively planning its very first Youth Apprenticeship Week (YAW), which is scheduled to take place from May 5-11, 2024.  YAW will spotlight the importance of youth ages 16 to 24 connecting to the apprenticeship model in order to jump start their careers.  

A variety of planning resources and tools are available at the YAW web page.   

Use this link to register your YAW Event! and LEARN MORE HERE. 

In support of K-5 science teaching and learning, a leadership team of representatives from the Michigan Science Education Leadership Association (MSELA) and Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA), in partnership with the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University (MSU), will bring together state and national science leaders to the campus of MSU on May 29, 2024 to discuss a shared research-based vision for teaching and learning of science in the elementary grades. We hope this will result in recommendations and next steps for achieving this vision so that all children in the state of Michigan can experience the joy of learning science. Educational leadership teams will be invited to attend the event including ISD and district curriculum directors, instructional coaches, principals, teacher leaders, and other local district leadership. This is a no-cost event.

Science & Engineering

• Advancing Science in Elementary: A Call to Action 

• Battelle Teacher Academy

• Cereal City Science Virtual Learning

• NGSx Pathway

• MiSTAR Phase 1 Curriculum Training

Mathematics

• Tri-County Culturally Responsive Mathematics Institute

• Math Recovery AVMR 1, AVMR 2, AVMR Fractions

• Algebra in Manufacturing Processes, Entrepreneurship & Design

• Geometry in Construction

• Data Science: Bootstrap

• 3P Train the Trainer

• MCTM 3P Pre-Conference

Computer Science

• CS Discoveries

• CS Principles

• AP CSA

• Elementary CS Bootcamp

• CS Fundamentals

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.

Get ready to make waves with FIRST…

Our upcoming 2024-2025 ocean-inspired robotics season will soon wash ashore: FIRST^® DIVE^SM presented by Qualcomm. Program registration opens May 15 in the FIRST Dashboard*.

The ocean is more than what you can see on the horizon. Beneath the surface lies our planet’s most complex ecosystems, full of life and potential for exploration and learning. And like in our global robotics community, each ocean inhabitant has a role to play in building a thriving environment.

Beneath the surface of bold technological innovations and powerful solutions are passionate, curious, creative problem-solvers. FIRST Strategic Partner Qualcomm Incorporated returns as Season Presenting Sponsor to inspire the FIRST community to uncover the potential in each of us to strengthen our community and innovate for a better world.

This season, teams will use their STEM and collaboration skills to explore undersea life. As part of our community of supporters, you will buoy FIRST participants as they navigate the uncharted waters of our new program challenges:

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• K-12 Teacher Trainer
  • Current full-time teacher trainer for STEM disciplines at a school or educational organization located in the U.S.
  • Teacher trainers include education faculty, supervising teachers for student teachers, STEM/content area specialists, museum educators, employees of education organizations reaching teachers, etc.
• Able to travel to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
• Attend and participate in all three workshop days in-person for the full length of time
• Once accepted, complete pre- and post-workshop requirements
  • Submit a letter of support from your school or organization’s department, administration, or other leadership by June 4, 2024
  • Attend pre-workshop webinar
  • Complete pre-workshop paperwork on time
  • Join NASA CONNECTS Community of Practice in NASA STEM Gateway
  • Contribute to the conversation within the NGS 101 Workshop – Train the Trainer group by responding to posts, creating new posts, etc
  • Develop an implementation plan for sharing NGS activities with teachers
• Applicant Benefits:
  • Join NASA CONNECTS and the NGS 101 Workshop – Train the Trainer community of practice
  • Become a part of an ongoing collegial conversation with Education Specialists and Train the Trainer alums to share resources and enhance our practice
  • Access to NASA Educator Professional Development specialists during reserved office hours for support sharing NGS activities with educators
  • Opportunity to present your implementation plan to fellow educators for feedback

• Application closes May 3, 2024
• Applicants selected by May 10, 2024
• Attendees complete all pre-workshop paperwork by June 4, 2024
• Pre-workshop webinar on June 11, 2024
• Workshop held June 25-27, 2024
• Post-workshop requirements completed by July 11, 2024

Bring your fourth-graders to a Michigan State Park for a FREE field trip! Your students will enjoy a day in the park while learning all about Michigan’s natural resources. 

In addition to free park entry, grants will be available to cover transportation costs. 

The field trip aligns with state education standards – including science, social studies, physical education and language arts components – with hands-on activities and a nature hike on park trails. Teachers will get pre- and post-visit materials to supplement the learning at the park, and students will leave with a junior ranger badge and guidebook, including a free pass to bring their families back to a state park for another visit. 

Learn more about how your school can participate in this program and register at www.Michigan.gov/NatureAwaits. 

This is a FREE event with activities throughout any one of these locations: 

• Hackley Park 
• Hackley Public Library 
• Lakeshore Museum Center 
• MCC’s Lakeshore Fab Lab 
• Muskegon Museum of Art 

Kindergarten through 12th Grade students and families are welcome! 

The first 750 students will receive free STEAM kits and a t-shirt at Hackley Park.  A Chick-fil-A food truck will be there! 

West Shore Community College is pleased to offer Kids Summer Camps from June 10-August 15 for ages 4-9 and 9-15. Below (and attached) are descriptions of the various programs and a link to the website where you can register your child(ren). Scholarships and transportation are available for College for Kids Unlimited and College for Kids. Seats are limited. Online registration is now open.

Link to website: https://www.westshore.edu/kids-summer-programming/

This Summer Aviation Camp programs involve a week-long immersion in physics, math, drones, flight, and engineering design. It is open to anyone interested in aviation science. Flying will ONLY take place on the LAST DAY of camp.

Grades 6-12. In this advanced camp, the focus turns to flight, with an introduction to aircraft for beginner flyers. Students receive ground instruction for half of the day and take flight with an FAA Certified Pilot the other half of the day. Monday through Thursday is reserved for pilot camp and Friday is designed for flying drones.

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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