MiSTEM Awards Grants to 13 Michigan Schools, Other Educational Organizations to Prepare Students for In-Demand Jobs

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 4^th-grade science unit on interactions between plants and insects.