Educators across Michigan joined business community leaders to find a new way to help students build a digital Talent Profile which catalogs demonstrations of STEM learning through career applications.  This effort, which launched in Northview Public Schools more than 10 years ago as a part of Superintendent Dr. Scott Korpak’s vision for education innovation, became known as The Mavin Project.

The Mavin Project is a consortium of Michigan educators, business leaders, university faculty, and others who have helped build and implement the Grow MainStreet (GMS) learning application within the Mavin platform.  GMS is a new way for students to connect with careers through hands-on STEM projects, designed in partnership with real employers.  GMS challenges students to apply STEM skills, along with industry tools and technologies, to build projects and solve problems across seven industries:

• Construction & Design
• Apparel & Fashion
• Transportation & Energy
• Farm to Fridge (IoT learning)
• Safety & Security (IoT learning)
• Health & Informatics (IoT learning)
• Water & Waste Management (IoT learning)

Why is hands-on learning in Grow MainStreet an effective way to introduce careers?

• "GMS increases student engagement and students are experiencing fun and enjoyment as they are learning and applying the same STEM concepts that real professionals use." (Greg Helmer, Superintendent of Ravenna Public Schools)
• "Students can read about careers all day without feeling heavily interested in their possibilities. What draws a student to a job is passion. Passions are discovered through experiences. These PBL projects allow students to discover and experience jobs and grow their passion." (Ryan Stevens, 5th and 6th grade STEAM teacher for Ravenna Public Schools)
• "It allows students to connect what they are learning to everyday topics and ideas, which helps the learning make more sense to them." (Melanie Depray Learst, Curriculum Director for Westwood Community Schools)
• "One area of focus in my class is developing an awareness of the transferable employability (soft) skills required in many different jobs.  With Grow MainStreet, students learn about these from real professionals and can then see how these same skills are applied within the classroom activities."  (Josh Delameter, 8th grade Science and Careers Teacher for Grant Public Schools) 
• "This is very cool!  I am so proud of our students for what they are producing and of our teachers and staff for finding a way to make Grow MainStreet learning fit into our existing STEAM rotations.  The missing component has been the opportunity for meaningful career exploration at 5th and 6th grade and now we are solving that."  (Jamey Vermaat, Principal for Northview Highlands Middle School)

Help Increase the Accuracy of Michigan's Broadband Map

Because high-speed internet is not available to nearly half a million homes in Michigan, the state is urging every Michigander to check their home and business level of internet access on the preliminary broadband map to ensure that is it accurate. The Michigan High-Speed Internet office is working to challenge the map too, but it’s important for everyone across the state to know how to view and challenge the map. 

Here’s how to access the FCC broadband map: 

1. Visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home here, then type in an address and see if the reported coverage is accurate. You can access the site from a computer or a mobile device. 
2. Residents can submit a challenge by clicking “Location Challenge” if the location of their home or business is missing or incorrect, or “Availability Challenge” if the internet service information is incorrect. 
3. Residents should visit the website of any internet service provider that claims to serve their location and use the website's "Check Availability" or similar tool to determine if the provider can serve their location. 
4. If they can't, a screenshot of their website can be submitted to the FCC as evidence for an Availability Challenge.
5. Consumers can follow the instructions on how to file an availability challenge using the new map here. 

Resources from the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI): 

• Nearly 1.7 million Michigan households are estimated to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) from the FCC, but only 30% of qualifying households participate. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online application here or mail in application. 
• Join the Digital Inclusion Database. MIHI is creating an inventory of organizations and facilities that are providing digital inclusion services. If you provide public access to computers, digital literacy training, cybersafety training or other similar services, click here to join our growing database of practitioners and providers across the state. 
• Apply to host a Regional Broadband Navigator. The Regional Broadband Navigator Grant Program seeks to provide Economic Development Organizations and other regional entities with funding to support a broadband-focused staff member to assist in coordination, development, capacity building and executive of broadband planning. Apply for funding to support a navigator in your region here. 

Positions in this field can have a significant financial impact on adults and families who remain economically fragile despite working – often referred to as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).  In Grand Rapids, 46% of households live below the ALICE threshold; and in Kentwood and Wyoming, 45%.  Economic disparity is more pronounced when looking at the racial wealth gap.  In the City of Grand Rapids, the median household income is $42,000, but it is only $24,000 for Black residents and $31,000 for Hispanic residents. 

“We know that right now economic opportunity is in technology,” shared Jamon Alexander, president + CEO of WMCAT. “WMCAT is committed to connecting people to new educational and career pathways, diversifying the tech talent pipeline, and supporting inclusive growth in the region to ensure all families can thrive in the digital economy.” 

Code/Art’s coding competitions use art as a vehicle to spark interest in coding, while also breaking preconceived notions about what a computer programmer looks like and what their interests are. 

Code/Art’s CodeYourSelf™ competition combines creativity, art, and coding to inspire more girls to pursue computer science while also helping change society’s view of what a coder looks like: 

• Write a computer program that generates your self-portrait and is inspired by the current theme 
• For girls in grades 3-12  

The Animated Art competition challenges participants to create an animated art piece that is composed or constructed by a computer program: 

• Create an animated art piece that is composed or constructed by your computer program 
• For girls in grades 3-12 

Winners will be recognized at the Code/Art Fest which celebrates the achievements of young coders. Check out these resources for educators and learn more! 

The submission deadline is February 17, 2023.  

On May 4-5, 2023, GVSU will host the 2023 North-Central Section Meeting of the Geological Society of America in Grand Rapids. The meeting offers two days of technical sessions on a range of science topics, especially related to the Great Lakes and Midwest, and a day of field trips led by experts. The technical sessions also include ideas for improving teaching in geoscience. Fieldtrips include traveling down into the gypsum mine, over to the dunes, along the outcrops at Grand Ledge, and even the impact structure at Kentland, Indiana.  

Registration opens in February 2023. Early registration for K-12 professionals for the full meeting is $85. Fieldtrips are an additional fee.  Click here for more details. 

You can now share information about improving science education with your colleagues and communities using a new toolkit based on the report Call to Action for Science Education: Building Opportunity for the Future. With spotlights on science in elementary, higher education, and workforce development, this resource includes a summary of important themes and recommendations from this National Academies report as well as guides for writing letters to the editor about science education.  

Explore the toolkit of resources 
More information about this project 

Fly along with NASA's earth science missions in real-time, monitor earth's vital signs, and see satellite imagery of the latest weather events in an immersive, 3D environment!  Visit the Global Climate Change, Vital Signs of the Planet website to use Earth Now, an application that visualizes recent global climate data from Earth Science satellites. The visualized data include surface air temperature, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and water vapor, as well as gravity and sea-level variations.  

• More than 100 activities that include a list of materials, a student worksheet, and teacher directions 
• Resources that display data in fun ways: 
  • Fun Facts 
  • Maps 
  • Videos 
  • 5-Minute Challenge warm-up activities 

Nuclear engineering includes the design, analysis, development, testing, operation, and maintenance of nuclear fission systems and components. The United States currently generates about 18% of its electricity from nuclear power plants. Nuclear engineers provide maintenance to power plants and advance the applications of nuclear medicine. 
 
Radiation measuring is important to the science and practice of radiation protection, which is the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of uncontrolled radiation. 
 
Does learning how to produce energy interest you? Do you like learning how tiny particles react? Then nuclear engineering might be the field for you!  

Marine energy, also known as marine and hydrokinetic energy or marine renewable energy, is a renewable power source that is harnessed from the natural movement of water, including waves, tides, and river and ocean currents. Marine energy can be harnessed to generate electricity to power homes, transport and industries.  

To help spur innovation and growth in the marine energy technologies industry and support workforce development, The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have developed the STEM for Hydropower and STEM for Marine Energy portals to help students explore hydropower careers, networking and career building, virtual plant tours, educator resources, and more!  

Did you know that the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant located right here in Michigan is a hydroelectric plant that has been called one of the world’s biggest electric batteries? 

Ludington’s elegantly simple technology enables the plant to respond quickly to the daily, weekly and seasonal highs and lows of Michigan’s energy demand. The plant also helps keep rates lower because they can avoid the expensive spot market when electricity demand is high.   

 Health and Safety Engineers develop procedures and systems to keep people safe. They combine their knowledge of engineering concepts, health and safety to ensure chemicals, machinery and other products do not harm people, property or the environment. Health and Safety Engineers average salary in Michigan is $78,500 and $99,040 for the United States.  
 
Industrial Hygienists use analytics and environmental modeling to determine the exposure individuals may have to workplace hazards. They implement workplace controls to limit potential health hazards. The average salary for an industrial hygienist is $77,001 per year in the United States.  

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists collect data and analyze different types of work environments and procedures. They inspect workplaces for their adherence to safety, health and environmental regulations. The average Occupational Health & Safety Specialist salary in the United States is $79,893 and salary range typically falls between $74,373 and $84,318. 

Women's Aviation Career Symposium (WACS) 2023

The Women's Aviation Career Symposium in Battle Creek is a professional career conference designed to introduce women to aviation and to promote networking, education, and scholarships while building up the aviation community! 

Information: 

• When:  Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
• Where:  Western Michigan University College of Aviation, Battle Creek 
• Who:  Event is open to women only, from high school juniors to retirees 

Click here for more information and to register. 

Multiple scholarships will be awarded for aviation education, professional development, flight training, and maintenance training.

Application deadline: February 1st at 5:00 p.m. Apply here. 

High school students in the Grand Rapids area can now benefit from a nationwide program designed to introduce students to the wide range of career opportunities open in architecture, construction, engineering, and related areas of the building design and construction industry. At weekly meetings, student teams work directly with professionals from leading area firms, who volunteer their time to mentor the teams as they design projects, tour local construction sites, and visit architectural, engineering and construction offices. 

For students, it’s a unique chance to discover and develop new skills, solidify future goals, and get on track to exciting, rewarding careers. In addition, many students form positive relationships with industry professionals who can provide important references for obtaining college admissions, scholarships, internships and full-time employment. 

Click here for more information and to register. 

• April (application deadline is March 15, 2023)
• September (application deadline is August 15, 2023)

Each year The NEED (National Energy Education Development) Project receives nominations for the Distinguished Service Award and for the Bob Thompson Excellence in Energy Education Award. 

These nominees are among the most committed NEED teachers, NEED sponsors, and NEED friends. They represent NEED’s mission and philosophy by engaging students in energy explorations, by helping teachers learn how to effectively teach energy in their classrooms, and by supporting NEED with their time and talents. They join a long list of great NEED people who have been a part of NEED’s success for many years. 

The award includes a $1,000 cash grant to the teacher to use as they so choose in the classroom and an all-expenses paid trip to the NEED Energy Conference for Educators hosted each July. You can nominate someone or apply for yourself. More information and how to apply can be found HERE.  

Applications must be received by February 1, 2023.  

The do your :bit digital challenge from Micro:bit encourages youth to use technology to develop ideas and solutions to global problems connected to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, including projects on topics of healthy oceans, tracking animal movements, and climate change. 

Resources for your classrooms and code clubs 
Use these educator resources to introduce the Global Goals, have fun with micro:bit, and develop world-changing ideas and solutions using technology:

• Introduce the Goals
  • Use the Global Goals guides to introduce students and run activities around global learning. 
• Explore Micro:bit Projects
  • Have a go at one of the Make it: Code it projects linked to the Goals to show students how to use technology to solve global problems. 
• Design and Prototype
  • Be inspired by exploring the creative solutions designed by previous participants in the do your :bit challenge.
  • Use these provided Lessons to run prototyping activities linked to the Global Goals. Challenge students to research the problem, design a solution, make it and test it! 
• Celebrate Success
  • Celebrate your students' creative solutions!
  • If you're running your own competition, use the 'do your :bit challenge pack' including certificates, posters, bunting and sticker downloads to celebrate your students work. The 'do your :bit challenge pack' will be available to download at the end of January 2023. 

2023 Earth Day Poster Contest 

Information for the 2023 Earth Day Poster Contest and Environmental Service Awards is now available! Students in grades K-5 are invited to participate in the Poster Contest, and students in grades 6-12 are eligible for the Environmental Service Awards.  
Learn more and apply at Michigan.gov/EarthDay. 

The World of 8 Billion student video contest is now open!  

By taking part in the World of 8 Billion student video contest, you can share your ideas on how to tackle global problems related to population. 

This year's video challenge is for students to explain how population growth impacts one global topic and offer an idea for a sustainable solution. The global topics are: Climate Change, Gender Equality, and Waste. Videos are judged by topic and awards will be presented for High School 9th-12th and Middle School 6th - 8th.  

Learn more about this year's topics here. Explore a topic you feel passionately about and discover the most pressing population issues. Then use the advocacy resources when you are ready to take action! 

When learning about your issue, it’s important that the information you find is accurate. Being knowledgeable about your issue will make you a better advocate. Becoming a critical consumer is tricky, but follow this Critical Consumer Guide and you’ll get the hang of it. 

Visit the World of Billion website for teacher classroom lessons, activism toolkits, and past winners.  

Entries will be accepted until February 22, 2023 (11:59 EST).  

Welcome to the World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest  

Looking for a way to inspire students through engineering role models?  
The 2023 EngineerGirl Writing Contest, "Better Great Achievements," invites students to write a piece that demonstrates how female and/or non-white engineers have contributed to, or can enhance, one of engineering's great achievements. The contest is open to students in grades 3-12 (ages 8-18) and applications are due February 1, 2023.  

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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