Career Exploration Camps for over 300 middle schoolers offered students hands-on STEM learning

Embedded teacher externships equipped educators with real-world STEM experiences, training from the MiSTEM Network

LANSING, Mich. — MiSTEM collaborated with local partners in Northeast Michigan to provide 17 educators with externships and 36 STEM sessions for 347 middle school students. A portion of the $3.05M MiSTEM Advisory Council annual grants supported this collaborative Career Exploration Camp effort alongside over 50 local partners, to advance STEM education in the region and position more student for successful STEM careers. 

“Engaging in real-world tasks and solutions is key to developing students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which serve as the building blocks for a successful STEM career,” said Megan Schrauben, executive director of the MiSTEM Network. “By making these investments, we’re building partnerships that foster connections between students, STEM educators and local employers, creating pathways for future learning and employment opportunities, and ultimately building a vibrant STEM ecosystem in Michigan." 

Students gained firsthand experience in a variety of STEM careers, and acquired practical skills in areas such as welding, programming, drone operation and environmental science. The student interest-led sessions incorporated an array of engaging activities using resources like Google Classroom that inspired students to pursue careers aligned with their passions. 

"Our goal is to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers by giving them a true sense of what it's like to work in these dynamic and rewarding fields," said Laura Percival, MiSTEM Northeast Michigan Regional Director. "By combining hands-on experience with real-world connections, we're helping students see the possibilities for their future and the steps they can take to get there.”  

The intent of the educator externships being embedded in the camps was to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications by connecting teachers with careers, essential skills, community partners and training providers. By immersing educators in paid externships within STEM fields – including the automotive industry, electricity, building and construction, public safety, and healthcare – the educators were equipped with firsthand experiences that will empower them in the classroom. 

Participating teachers earned a stipend and State Continuing Education Clock Hours. Following the externships, participants shared anonymous feedback on their experiences, with many emphasizing the joys of gaining fun and engaging hands-on experience and walking away with a plethora of applicable knowledge. The teachers overall found the instructors to be encouraging and meaningful to students and their own instruction style, with many teachers planning to tailor future instruction to the students’ interests and incorporate more hands-on learning.  

One science educator said: 

We not only talked and learned about [car maintenance] but we DID with our own hands: oil changes, brake pads, tire pressure and air, changing tires, looking at brake lines and so much more! I truly never knew how complex automotive technology was! It has so much science in it such as chemistry, physics, and more! I was really blown away with the way that these science concepts were what ran these vehicles. That was awesome to see as a science teacher!

The summer externships and STEM camps were provided in collaboration with local partners: Awakon Credit Union; Barton Marlow; Boilermakers Local 169; Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 2; C.O.O.R. Advanced Technical Innovation Center; Caldwell Banker/Schmidt Realtors; Carmeuse Calcite Operation; Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Education Service District; Compassionate Veterinary Care; Crawford AuSable School District; Crawford-Oscoda-Ogemaw-Roscommon Intermediate School District; Daifuku Airport America Corporation; DTE Little Trout Solar Project; Gaylord City Police Department; Hammond Bay Biological Station; Industrial Arts Institute; Industrial Magnetics; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 692; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; IOSCO Career & Technical Education Center; IOSCO Regional Education Service Agency; Ironworkers Local 25; Kirtland Community College; Lear Corporation; Mackinac Bridge Authority; McLaren Hospital Cheboygan; MDOT - Michigan Department of Transportation North Region Office; Michigan High School eSports League; Michigan National Guard Camp Grayling; Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Local 202; Moran Iron Works; MSU Extension 4-H; MSU Extension Northeast Michigan; MyMichigan Health; Northeast Michigan Works; North Central Michigan College; Northeast Michigan Council of Governments; Ogemaw County EMS Authority; Onaway Area Schools; Operating Engineers 324; Presque Isle Electric & Gas; Rogers City Vex Robotics team 3734M; Roscommon Area Public Schools; Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 7; Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary; Tip of the Mitt Watershed; UA Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Local 85; Van Dam Custom Wooden Boats & Yachts; and West Branch Rose City Schools. 

Get Involved

There’s a clear need to secure more resources, whether through grants, sponsorships or partnerships, to accommodate more students and enhance the program’s offerings. The MiSTEM Network welcomes any partners who are interested in providing funding or other resources to address logistical barriers, such as transportation, to make future camps more accessible to all students. Other ways your business or institution can get involved include offering internships or job shadowing opportunities to provide students with a clear pathway from education to employment. 

Contact the regional director in your area to join the MiSTEM Network in building the next generation of innovators by volunteering your time or other resources to support events like this in your community.