Those high-demand, high-wage careers we hear about across Michigan have a hot new focal point thanks to the MiSTEM Council whose annual report is creating a vibrant ecosystem anchored to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math targeting a field of more engaged students and a stronger Michigan workforce.
Efforts to transform the culture of STEM in Michigan and drive the infrastructure to prepare students for the state’s evolving, high-skilled workforce are underway with MiSTEM. The MiSTEM Council released their Annual Report this week, highlighting goals for 2021 and announcing COVID-19 online STEM education resources that are also available to help navigate educating in the time of the ongoing pandemic.
With these actions, MiSTEM continues to realize its vision for Michigan as a home to innovators who create more inclusive and prosperous businesses and communities.
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Acting Director Susan Corbin says, “The MiSTEM Network has successfully built diverse partnerships across the state and made tremendous progress toward expanding STEM opportunities,” and adds, “When more students have access to STEM curriculum, they gain the skills needed for high-demand, high-skilled careers of the future.”
2020 MiSTEM Council Annual Report
The MiSTEM Council released their 2020 Annual Report highlighting the continuous work done by the network and their collaborators to build and increase the infrastructure to empower educators and integrate business and education, creating high-quality STEM experiences in communities across Michigan. The report also establishes priorities for 2021, which include building partnerships to continue strengthening the reach of the network, addressing disparities across the system, providing tools for STEM educators and districts, awarding grant funds to support computer science and empowering STEM teachers. You can see the full report at this link:
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COVID-19 Online STEM Education Resources
The MiSTEM grant supported consortia also launched resources to support PreK – 12 students, families, teachers and professional learning facilitators as they navigate educating in the time of COVID-19. Some of these resources include:
- Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative: Three pandemic-proof, project-based challenges for use in regions served by GLSI hubs and, with qualification, in MiSTEM regions that participate in the GLSI Consortium.
- Math Recovery: Access to free resources to support PreK – 5 learning at home. Resources include descriptions of key mathematical learning by grade level.
Building on Best Practices with Nation-wide Ecosystem
The STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice also announced it has selected the MiSTEM Network to join their global movement of leaders devoted to ensuring that STEM education is a priority for all in their communities with an emphasis on the equity envisioned to support a world-class STEM education.
The 89 communities selected from across the world compose a global community and have demonstrated cross-sector collaborations to deliver rigorous, effective PreK-16 instruction in STEM learning.
Megan Schrauben, Executive Director of the MiSTEM Network, says, “MiSTEM continues to drive improvements in programming and collaboration to broaden the STEM ecosystem to enhance learning experiences beyond the classroom.”
The MiSTEM Network was created to broaden ownership of the state’s STEM strategy and position more Michigan students for success in our rapidly changing economy.
To learn more about MiSTEM and their latest efforts, you can visit http://Michigan.gov/MiSTEM.
