Michigan STEM Partnership
The Superior Hub Project (STEM)
Northern Michigan University
Chris Standerford, Director, Seaborg Center, Northern Michigan University
The Superior Hub Project builds local STEM capacity by developing formal relationships among stakeholders—business, industry, nonprofits, PreK-20 education, students, parents, local and state community organizations, and government. It develops and supports STEM education programs and initiatives that utilize interdisciplinary teaching and learning methods to address real-world issues.
Contact: Chris Standerford, cstander@nmu.edu, (906) 227-2092
Addressing Michigan's STEM Talent Gap: A Middle School Curricular Solution
Eastern Michigan University
John C. Dugger, Affiliate Director, Michigan Project Lead the Way (PLTW); Coordinator, School of Technology Studies Doctoral Program; Professor, School of Technology Studies, Eastern Michigan University; Paul Kuwik, State Director, Michigan Project Lead the Way (PLTW), Eastern Michigan University
The PLTW program addresses the critical need for a flexible high-quality middle-school STEM experience that includes project-based student coursework, teacher professional development, and support for integrated instruction in disciplines that lead to STEM careers and employment. This middle school program develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills within a STEM context, is updated at least every four years, and addresses Next Generation Science and Common Core standards. Project Lead The Way meets these criteria, has been implemented in more than 110 Michigan secondary schools (more than 4,700 nationwide), and has been the focus of more than 30 research studies.
Contact: John C. Dugger, jdugger@emich.edu, (734) 487-1832
Michigan STEM Partnership, Lake Michigan Hub
Grand Valley State University
Karen Meyers, Director, Regional Math and Science Center, Grand Valley State University; Suzanne Hendricks-Celuch, Senior Director for Research and Development, Kellogg Company
The Michigan STEM Partnership supports STEM education opportunities that spark interest and promote STEM literacy in Michigan students, improving their overall achievement and increasing college and career readiness. The 15-county Lake Michigan hub connects the rich STEM assets of the region and provides a forum to share knowledge and resources. The overarching goal is to engage the region's formal and informal education institutions, businesses and industries, workforce development organizations, professional organizations, and governmental agencies to provide a gateway to high quality STEM education opportunities and related careers.
Contact: Karen Meyers, meyersk@gvsu.edu, (616) 331-2267
Taking STEM on the Road
Michigan Technological University
Joan Chadde, Director, K-12 Education and Outreach; Shawn Oppliger, Director, Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education, Michigan Technological University
Michigan Tech partners annually with the Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education to deliver interdisciplinary STEM education programs to enhance K-12 teaching and learning. Together we host Family Science and Engineering Nights for K-5 students and their parents at all 19 school districts in the Western UP. Hands-on outdoor science investigations are led by Michigan Technological University scientists at all 19 K-8 schools throughout the year. School-year workshops and five-day summer institutes prepare math and science teachers to integrate STEM into their curricula. The Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative partners Michigan Technological University faculty and students with local schools to implement stewardship projects that integrate real world STEM skills.
Contact: Joan Chadde, jchadde@mtu.edu, (906) 487-3341; Shawn Oppliger, shawn@copperisd.org, (906) 482-0331