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Dec 24, 2023

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June 06, 2023

Funds focus on expanding science, technology, engineering and math training for students in underserved rural and urban schools

LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity's (LEO) MiSTEM Network today announced grants totaling $237,640 to 13 K-12 institutions and organizations as part of an ongoing effort to create and bolster educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in communities throughout the state.

"These grants are yet another building block in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's historic and comprehensive work to provide the foundational tools and programs Michigan schools need to train our students for the high-paying jobs of the future and to fill the STEM talent pipeline for our employers and those considering bringing more high-tech jobs to the Great Lakes State," said LEO Director Susan Corbin.

Megan Schrauben, MiSTEM executive director, praised all the applicants for their continued efforts to work on behalf of all students to create, improve and expand STEM learning in all corners of the state and noted that Michigan is getting noticed nationally for its focus on STEM in K-12 education.

"Working together, we are creating a vibrant STEM ecosystem that will ultimately lead to more engaged students and a stronger Michigan workforce now and well into the future," Schrauben said. "We are confident our work will pay dividends in sustaining, attracting and growing the high-paying jobs that will drive Michigan's economy for generations. We congratulate these schools and community partners across the state for taking advantage of these grant opportunities to benefit students throughout Michigan."

Grant proposals were submitted and reviewed through a competitive request for proposal process. Projects were selected, in part, for addressing needs in vulnerable communities in both rural and urban areas. In addition, this year proposals were accepted not only from K-12 schools and intermediate school districts but also from other institutions and organizations that serve K-12 education.

"These grants are vital to establishing and expanding STEM programs early and often throughout the Great Lakes State, particularly in traditionally underserved communities," Schrauben said. "It is important to provide students with access to real-world STEM experiences and to give our educators the training and support they need in creating curriculum and programs to bring those opportunities forward."

The grant announcement, which also happens to coincide with Michigan's Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, awarded as much as $20,000 to each of the 13 grantees and included some programs pairing MiSTEM work, freshwater literacy and place-based STEM education to support innovative STEM 3-P (problem-, place- and project-based) learning.

MiSTEM's continued partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) promotes the natural pairing of STEM and water education, the "blue economy" workforce development, recreation opportunities and environmental protection of the Great Lakes and Michigan's vast freshwater resources.

To learn more, join EGLE for a virtual panel of MiSTEM and other professionals as they discuss ways to create new tools, resources, programs, and partnerships to support filling the Water talent pipeline on the upcoming "Building a Water Workforce in the Blue Economy" webinar. The virtual event will take place from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7. Learn more and register today at Bluewaterwork.

Grant awardees are:

Adams Township School District

(Houghton County)

$16,000for a hydroponic farming program that will provide K-12 students access to food produced by the hydroponic farm units as part of the school lunch program. The food produced by the units will provide the entire student body with fresh, locally grown produce. Additionally, the hydroponic units can grow produce for use in the high school culinary program.

Bullock Creek School District

(Midland County)

$20,000for developing and building a sustainable nature education program with an emphasis on STEM at each grade level.

Crossroads Charter Academy

(Big Rapids)

$15,420to develop, support and enhance Project-Based Learning (PBL) units among educators as they work to provide students with the critical thinking tools they need to succeed in the real world. PBL engages learners in a manner that builds confidence and the skills to think critically.

Grant Public Schools

(Newaygo County)

$20,000to provide 500 students in grades K-5 access to place-based STEM learning experiences with the Newaygo Conservation District at Kropscott Farm Environmental Center. Additionally, the grant will allow 450 students in grades 6-8 to complete STEM career pathway modules through Mavin Project software and IOT equipment.

Hancock Public Schools

(Houghton County)

$18,000to develop and enhance curriculum that will build student STEM and STEAM competencies in successive grades to prepare them for opportunities with local manufacturers. The training will help cultivate a workforce pipeline that will support the growth of the community.

Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

(Detroit)

$20,000for enriching and expanding 3P-aligned STEM programming in biology and chemistry courses. The grant will also provide students with more access to experiential learning opportunities through field trips, guest speakers and workshops, exposing them to STEM career opportunities.

Lawrence Technological University

(Southfield)

$19,873for enhancing peer-to-peer interaction and interaction with LTU students and faculty. The grant will expose participating students to 3-P STEM content, fields of study and career opportunities. The goal is to increase interest in STEM, particularly among underrepresented populations and communities served by LTU.

Levey Middle School, Southfield Public Schools

(Southfield)

$18,076for Levey Live, a project that focuses on using technology to promote students and their school. The Levey Live Project will be used in every aspect of school, including STEM nights, extracurricular activities, athletics and classroom projects.

Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

(Muskegon)

$20,000to provide second- and third-grade teachers in three districts (Reeths-Puffer, Orchard View and Three Oaks Public Academy) with training and support in developing and expanding project- and place-based learning. Throughout the course of the year, teachers will receive ISD support to enact projects, including group coaching, professional learning and learning labs. All projects include a public exhibition of learning that is shared with family and community stakeholders.

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

(Hastings)

$20,000for local students to participate in the Barry County Water Quality Monitoring program. Participants will collect data about water quality in Barry County lakes. With the experience and knowledge acquired while testing water quality, students and teachers can serve as water quality ambassadors for the community. In addition, they will produce educational materials in various media forms about water quality and fish safety to share with Barry County lake residents, lake associations and community residents.

Saginaw Valley State University

(Saginaw County)

$10,309forcontinued expansion of 3P and STEM learning to at-risk students in the historically underserved Saginaw community.Through peer-to-peer interaction and interaction with SVSU students and faculty, participating students will be exposed to 3-P STEM content, fields of study and career opportunities.

Stout Middle School

(Dearborn)

$20,000for the "Authentic Learning for the Future" program to help all Stout Middle School students gain authentic learning experiences. The 3P STEM grant will assist students with the help needed to gain a deeper understanding of the sciences, technology, engineering and math abilities needed to be competitive in their future careers through interesting hands-on experiences.

Whitehall District Schools

(Muskegon County)

$19,962for a project to increase the garden area at Ealy Elementary; strengthen and increase community partnerships allowing for sustained support and maintenance of existing and future garden areas; foster and expand outdoor and environmental 3P STEM learning for K-12 teachers districtwide; and develop and disseminate 4th-grade science unit on interactions between plants and insects.

STEM in Michigan

Michigan has the potential to become a world leader in STEM education and careers, due to strong talent, educational institutions and thriving industries. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM careers had median wages in 2020 that were more than double those of non-STEM occupations. These careers are expected to grow at more than twice the rate of other occupations in the upcoming years. Michigan has the fourth-largest engineering, design and development (EDD) workforce in the nation, with over 113,000 employed in related industries in 2020. Employment in EDD industries is almost twice as concentrated in Michigan as the national average.

To learn more about MiSTEM, visit www.michigan.gov/MiSTEM.

Jada Fisher

517-281-0944

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