Watch this video from Project REACH (Realizing Equitable Access to Cybersecurity in High School) where Chelsea, a cybersecurity major, talks all things cybersecurity, what it's like going to an HBCU, and what the future of cybersecurity looks like. 

Cyber.org's Project REACH (Realizing Equitable Access to Cybersecurity in High School) is a feeder program that connects K12 schools to Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) cybersecurity and computer science programs in an effort to close the diversity gap in cybersecurity. CYBER.ORG facilitates the relationship between high school classrooms and their local HBCU through cybersecurity activities, classroom support, campus visits, and more. 

Check out the new mobile My S.T.E.M. Adventure App, created by the STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMIE) Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The app is a fully accessible/born accessible app that will guide families or other adults in children’s lives to engage in STEM activities with young children from birth to 5 years old. The app provides step-by-step guidance for families or teachers to lead young children, including those with disabilities, on adventures in their homes or neighborhoods to learn about STEM. The prototype is now available and has been tested with families and practitioners with young children with disabilities. STEMIE is continuing to develop more adventures and additional accessibility features this year. 

The STEMIE Center website contains a collection of resources including: 

• STEM4EC Blog - join the STEM4EC community to engage in exchanging ideas, personal narratives, and questions about including young children with disabilities in STEM learning. 
• Resources for Families - evidence-based resource, tips, and ideas that you can use to help your child learn STEM in everyday routines and activities. 
• Discovery Play Activities - cultivate young children's STEM knowledge and experiences with these fun-filled activities with adaptations and question prompts. 
• Storybook Conversations: Curated Book Lists - these books, some award-winning, embrace everyday STEM concepts accurately and have lots of engaging illustrations and photos to talk about with your young children.

Diversity and Equity in the Education Workforce Resources

To support Michigan's efforts to grow and diversify the educator workforce, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) awarded the 2021 Diversity and Equity in the Education Workforce competitive planning grant.  Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) was a recipient of the grant and created high-quality professional learning for educational leaders as well as resources and materials designed to support and retain a diverse professional workforce. Materials include book study guides, affinity group facilitator guides, and slide decks for professional learning on recruiting and retain educators of color. 

KRESA's work is linked on the Diversity and Equity in the Education Workforce page of MDE.  Available resources include: 

• The Why of Diversity and Equity in the Educator Workforce 
• Recruitment and Hiring Process Strategies to Promote Diversity and Equity 
• Retention Strategies to Promote Diversity and Equity 
• Strategies for Cultivating a School Culture that Supports Diversity and Equity 
• Facilitator’s Guide: Educators of Color Affinity Group 

Through federal funding opportunities of up to $5,000, NOAA Planet Stewards supports educators in the implementation of hands-on action-based projects that conserve, restore, and/or protect human communities and/or natural resources from environmental challenges monitored by NOAA. 

Educators requesting support from NOAA Planet Stewards must submit an application and supporting documents by midnight (Pacific Time) June 5, 2022. Applicants will be contacted regarding the status of their submission no later than July 31, 2022. If approved, educators shall use the funds to carry out their project during the 2022/2023 academic year. 

Projects should focus on the conservation, restoration, and/or protection of human communities and/or natural resources from environmental issues in one of these four focus areas: marine debris, habitat conservation and restoration, carbon footprint reduction, and carbon sequestration. 

For more information and how to apply, please visit the NOAA Planet Stewards Supporting Stewardship.   

The 2022 Ocean Awareness Contest is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, and become advocates for positive change. Its theme, THE FUNNY THING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE, challenges students to learn about climate change and its impact on the ocean, and to explore new ways, like humor, satire, or kitsch, to communicate the urgency of the climate crisis.  

Visit the website for full details, and check out Bow Seat’s Resource Studio on methods that break the mold on typical doom and gloom messaging. 

Special Awards: 

• The We All Rise Prize View the 2021 Winners.  
• The Voice of the Sea Award – View Voice of the Sea Award Winners.  

There will also be an Educator Innovation Awards! If an educator brings the Ocean Awareness Contest into their physical or virtual classroom this year, Bow Seat wants to know about it! Nominate yourself or a colleague for a $750 award. Learn more > 

Contest Deadline: June 13th, 2022 

High-Demand & High-Wage Occupation: Software Developers

Software developers are the creative minds behind software programs, and they have the technical skills to build those programs or to oversee their creation by a team. They create software that enables users to perform specific tasks on computer devices. 

Those tasks might involve playing a game, watching a movie, writing a business letter, or building a spreadsheet. Specialized software is created or customized for virtually every profession, industry, and government department. Software Developers usually have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. They also have strong programming skills. 

There are countless ways to get into software development. Some people find their passion for coding in a middle school workshop or college club; others stumble into development midway through their career.  

Generally speaking, software development often falls into four broad categories: front end, back end, full stack, and mobile development. Explore the necessary technical and professional skills and education/experience requirements you will need to become a Software Developer by visiting Computer Science.org.   

To explore a Software Developer's career pathway and to learn more about front end, back end, full stack, and mobile development Software Developers, visit Georgia Tech's article on Software Developer Career Paths: Everything You Need to Know. The article outlines the software developer career path, suggestions to help you prepare for your professional journey, and how you can succeed as a software developer.  

Job Outlook 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in this field will grow by a significant 22% from 2020 to 2030, compared to 8% growth for all jobs overall. 

There are many factors driving the demand for software developers, including competition to create new applications for mobile devices, the needs of the health and insurance industries for innovative software to manage patient care, and concerns over threats to computer security that require investment in security software. 

This chart shows the low, average, and high salaries of a Software Developer in Michigan: 

Did you know that Michigan has the 5th largest advanced manufacturing workforce in the country, with more than 65,000 workers employed in advanced manufacturing industries in 2019? Or that Michigan ranks in the top 10 nationally for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness?  

So, why is it called Advanced Manufacturing and not just manufacturing? Advanced manufacturing differs from traditional manufacturing in several ways. For starters, traditional manufacturing refers to the process of converting raw materials into a finished ready-to-sell product through the use of manual and/or mechanized transformational techniques. The end goal of traditional manufacturing is to add value to achieve the objective. Advanced manufacturing, on the other hand, typically involves manufacturing processes in specific industries such as aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, etc., while using advanced techniques and equipment. 

A career in advanced manufacturing is an exciting, creative and high-tech field. You can be part of a team that uses or invents new processes and materials to make futuristic products using technologies that didn’t even exist a few years ago. Turning an idea into a product requires a wide range of skills, so careers are varied based on your team’s role in the manufacturing process. 

Some examples of advanced technology careers in manufacturing to consider are: 

• Additive manufacturing – 3D Printing
• Computer Numerical Control (CNC Operators)
• Advanced materials, composites, and alloys
• Robotics and automation
• Welding and welding with lasers   
• Nanotechnology
• Reliance on IT networks and connectivity

NEW Advanced Manufacturing Summer Camp 
Are you interested in learning more about Advanced Manufacturing? Will you be entering 6th or 7th grade by fall of 2022?  

Computer engineers are scientists who combine their knowledge of electricity, mathematics and computer sciences to think of new ways that computers can be used. They blend together computer science and electrical engineering to further advancements in digital technology, computer networking and computer systems. In turn, computer engineers use their extensive knowledge of hardware and software design and computer programming to make computing platforms and applications more efficient and effective. Seamlessly integrating the latest innovations, computer engineers develop new computer hardware, design and implement software applications, and enhance the capabilities of networks and communications systems. 

Primary duties for a Computer Engineer includes designing computer hardware, writing computer software, creating and testing robots, researching new tools in computer engineering and managing teams of engineers.  

A structural engineer's job includes: 

• Analyzing blueprints, maps, reports, and topographical and geological data; 
• Estimating the cost and quantities of materials, equipment and labor; 
• Computing load and grade requirements, water flow rates and material stress factors to determine design specifications; 
• Inspecting project sites to monitor progress and ensure the project is being constructed according to design specifications; 
• Conducting studies of traffic patterns or environmental conditions to identify potential problems and assess how they will affect the project. 

Visit Solid Professor to learn about average salary, education and certification options and more!   

Deeper Dive: 
Wondering how structures stand up or how much weight a crane can actually lift? Listen to these short 30-35 minute podcasts from real engineers from Engineering, Solve IT! For Kids. Peek into the world of real-life scientists, engineers, and experts as they solve problems in their every day jobs. Kids and families are then invited to take on a challenge and solve a problem themselves! Don’t forget to participate in their weekly challenges! If you do, you can be entered to win a free book.   

Want to learn more about a Geodesists? Visit Career Explorer – an overview of a Geodesist, for average salary, job market outlook, education requirements and more!  

Visit Environmental Science.org to learn where Geodesists work, a  job description, job demand, and requirements, Geodesist professional organizations, and related degrees.   

The MiSTEM Network is bringing educators a professional learning series to meaningfully connect students' knowledge, formative assessment pedagogy, understanding of students’ learning of early mathematics, and instructional moves. These workshops will equip educators with the ability to implement Math Recovery as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 system of support for K-5 learners: 

• Add+VantageMR® Course 1 (AVMR 1) 
• Add+VantageMR® Course 2 (AVMR 2) 
• Add+VantageMR ® Fractions 

These workshops are geared towards Pk-5th grade teachers that teach mathematics. AVMR 1 is a prerequisite for AVMR 2. There is no prerequisite for AVMR 1 or AVMR Fractions.  Each workshop series consists of 8 virtual sessions for two hours each. The MiSTEM network is offering a scholarships for attendance that includes: 

• Course registration 
• $400 stipend for full course engagement 
• Math Recovery Course materials kit - $435 value 
• SCECHs 

For more information and to register, click here.

The Grand Rapids Public Museum School's unique approach to community partnerships—including the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State University, and Kendall College of Art and Design — shapes student learning through the synthesis of: 

• place-based education 
• design thinking 
• museum mindset 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum School and founding partners are excited to share their strategies and learnings in a 3-day workshop for educators in August 2022.  This workshop will equip participants with the tools to integrate best practices of museum mindset, place-based learning and design thinking in their own communities. Facilitators will share advice and experiences to help schools unlock the power of community partnerships. If you think, “I want my teaching to be bigger than the 4 walls of this classroom, this workshop is for you!” 

The workshop is FREE! In fact, participants will each receive a daily stipend and will receive 20 MDE SCECHs for this professional learning.  

Key Details 

• Dates: August 9, 10 and 11 from 8 AM to 4 PM 
• Location: Grand Rapids Public Museum High School at 54 Jefferson Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 
• Audience: Middle and high school educators, administrators, community partners and organizations that work with middle/high students.  
• Breakfast snacks, coffee and lunch will be provided each day. 

What to Expect 

• Hands-on experience with design thinking, place-based learning, and community partnerships 
• Expert facilitators from the Grand Rapids Public Museum School, Kendall College of Art and Design, Grand Valley State University and the Grand Rapids Public Museum 
• Inspiration, application, and motivation 
• Time to develop your own projects and units with expert guidance from experienced practitioners 
• Continued support throughout the upcoming school year 

Workshop Application 
Applications for the 2022 Summer Workshop are now open and space is limited! Applications are due May 27, 2022.  Applicants will be notified of acceptance by June 10, 2022.  

Apply Now 

For questions, please reach out to Erin Koren, Director of Education at ekoren@grpm.org.   

Note: Text and pictures below taken from the School News Network article by Erin Albanese posted on April 13, 2022 

Teaching math at the most diverse high school in the state was the impetus for Luke Wilcox and Lindsay Gallas to join forces to launch free online math lesson sites to address gaps in achievement and improve access to resources, both nationally and locally. They started Stats Medic seven years ago; Calc Medic three years ago; and in August broadened their efforts to launch Math Medic. The newest site offers free lesson plans – designed and tested with real students from East Kentwood – for all 9-12 high school math courses. Those include Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry and Precalculus.   

On Calc Medic, Stats Medic and Math Medic, lesson plans are offered for every day of the school year for each class. “All of our lessons are student-centered and activity based,” Wilcox said. 

Gallas, Wilcox and former East Kentwood calculus teacher Sarah Stecher designed all the lessons. They also blog about teaching tips based on their experiences delivering the lessons. 

Gaps in math achievement are striking and pervasive. The overarching goal of the foundation and lesson sites is to improve outcomes, Wilcox said.  “Making our lessons free is in line with that idea of equity, because it doesn’t matter what school district you come from or how much money your school district has for curriculum, any teacher on the internet can access the lessons and use them in their classroom. 

“We want teachers to have access to these high-quality lessons, so ultimately that benefits their students,” he added. “That’s in line with connecting resources with students who need them the most.” 

To further enhance their mission, the teachers this month officially launched the philanthropic arm of their efforts. The Math Medic Foundation is a public charity focused on awarding funds to students and educators in the field of K-12 mathematics education. 

The foundation is funded completely through tax-deductible donations, which can be made through the site. Executive Director Pete Grostic, a former middle school and high school teacher in Kentwood Public Schools, said individual donations will 100 percent go toward scholarships and teacher and school grants.  

MiRoad2Work.org is designed as a “one-stop shop” for information about apprenticeships, apprenticeship readiness services, and business opportunities. 

Road and building construction projects have greatly increased throughout Michigan, creating a shortage of skilled trades employees like electricians, welders, pavers, masons, plumbing, equipment operators, carpenters, and general construction workers. As a career option, apprenticeships in skilled trades allow you to earn while you learn, and lead to long-term, good paying careers.  

Whether you are a high school or community college student, a veteran, or someone in need of retraining, take a look at the various apprenticeship programs highlighted on MiRoad2Work.org. 

Be sure to check out their Apprenticeship Training Readiness Program page for information about apprenticeship training and employment opportunities that can help you get your foot in the door! 

Careerline Tech Center Summer Programs - OPEN SPOTS!

The Careerline Tech Center (CTC) at Ottawa Area Intermediate School District offers multiple summer opportunities for students.  See this flyer for full details.  There are still openings in:  

• Career Camp (5th-7th grade) from June 13-16 and 20-23 
• Trailblazers Extended Camp (7th-9th grade girls) from June 20-24 
• futurePREP’d IChallengeU (9th-12th grade) from July 11-22 
• IChallengeUth (6th-8th grade) from July 25-29 

For more information and to register, click here. 

Ginger Rohwer
Regional Director
(616) 331-2272
rohwergi@gvsu.edu

Diane Miller
Business, Community, and Education Liaison
(616) 331-2265
milledia@gvsu.edu

www.gvsu.edu/mistem

Services provided through a MiSTEM grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.

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