October 2024
WUP MiSTEM Updates
Emily Geiger, WUP MiSTEM Network Director
(906)482-4250 ext. 188
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REGISTER for WONDERS OF THE WATERSHED SUMMIT HERE
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October GOISD Math Elementary Challenge
The GOISD MS/HS Math Professional Learning Network (PLN) and the WUP MiSTEM Network has created an activity for GOISD 4th grade students to do at home with their families to reinforce the fraction skills they've learned in 3rd grade.
Each school was mailed paper pizza making kits for each student to take home after October 1. The take-home instructions were in the kit, but are also here for your review.
This activity is meant to be done at home and is not meant to be an in-class activity. However, after Oct. 31, it could be a good tool for review as a class, including encouraging the students to reflect on what they learned about fractions and how they enjoyed working with their families. The GOISD Math PLN will collect the submitted pizzas from your classroom after October 31.
This activity not only reinforces mathematical concepts but also strengthens family bonds through collaborative learning.
To amp up the excitement and participation, we will be providing a pizza party to the 4th grade class(es) at the school with the greatest percentage of participation in November!
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GOISD MS/HS Math Professional Learning Network (PLN)
The next meeting, Tuesday, November 19 at 9a ET in Bergland. Sub-costs will be covered. The topic of this meeting is nuances of teaching specific content. If your district has new hires or interest in participating, contact Emily Geiger. WUP MiSTEM was able to support a GOISD MS/HS PLN wishlist with items added from each GOISD district.
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OneUP Copper Trail Festival on December 10, 2024
@ Michigan Technological University Student Development Complex (SDC)
Spots are limited. Registration is required by November 15th.
On Tuesday, December 10th the Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers, Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! and the MiSTEM Network will host the OneUP Copper Trail Festival, a hands-on exploration of STEM and career pathways for 6th-graders!
Thanks to our generous sponsors, your school has access to this awesome experience at no cost. However, space is limited--please register your students as soon as possible by completing the School Registration form found on the website linked below.
Date: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
Time: 9:00 am - 2:30 pm (you will be selected for one 2-hour time slot to attend)
Location: Michigan Tech Student Development Complex (SDC) - 600 Macinnes Drive, Houghton, MI 49931
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NMU/MTU Science Teacher Paid Learning Grant Opportunity
Please help consider applying and helping us recruit grades 5-9 science teachers for this awesome opportunity. We are recruiting a mentoring Cohort I and a mentee Cohort II. Review of applications begins on October 13, 2024.
Michigan Technological University (MTU) and Northern Michigan University (NMU) have been awarded a National Science Foundation NOYCE grant to develop teacher leaders and provide an opportunity to have a grant supported Master’s degree. It is for teachers that are in high needs schools with middle school science as the focus. Participants receive tuition funded coursework and annual $10,000 stipends post-program completion for 5-6 years dependent upon their cohort.
The programming would begin next semester (2025) and is a rolling application until spots are filled. Right now, we are hoping that people will apply sooner rather than later as they will begin reviewing applications by October 13, 2024.
This is for 5th-9th grade teachers in high needs areas. The program is 100% online.
• 30 spaces available
• 20 with current Master’s degree
• 10 with a bachelor’s degree
High Needs Definition: Some of the questions refer to a "high-need school district" which is a NSF requirement for this program. "High-need districts" have at least 20% or more students from low-income families AND at least 10% teacher turnover, teachers with emergency/provisional certification, or teachers teaching out of grade or subject area. Rural districts may be eligible on the basis of other criteria. Please email mtp@mtu.edu for more information.
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Code.org: CS Fundamentals Intro Workshop (Kdg-5)
Computer Science Fundamentals is a Code.org curriculum designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5). Each grade-level unit is between 12-20 lessons long and is built for flexible implementation. During the workshop, participants will learn from certified Code.org facilitators, participate in a model lesson, learn the management system, and dive into the lessons.
There are virtual options to choose from throughout the year. Sign up today for a series that works best with your schedule and share this information with your colleagues.
Dates: See Registration Flyer for date options and registration links
Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm ET
Cost: Registration Covered by MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grants
What is Provided: Curriculum guide and $150 stipend
For more information about CS Fundamentals Workshops, check out http://www.mi-coding.com/cs-fundamentals-intro-registration-links.html
Workshop Goals
At the end of the workshop, teachers will know:
- The importance of CS for all students, and the teachers’ role in creating an environment where all students can learn equitably.
- How CS Fundamentals can be used as an avenue for getting CS to all students.
- What CS Fundamentals courses look like (lesson plans, online activities, unplugged activities).
- Which courses and lessons of CS Fundamentals are most appropriate for their students.
At the end of the workshop, teachers will have:
- A plan of action for starting to teach CSF.
- Long(er) term goals about how deep into the course they would like to go with students.
- Strategies for teaching CS Fundamentals lessons.
- A connection to the community of CS Fundamentals teachers.
SCECHs & Stipends
Participants will receive SCECHs at no cost along with a $150 stipend at the completion of the workshop. Stipends are provided by the MiSTEM Network through the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council grant awarded to Grand Valley State University (GVSU). Stipends are paid out through GVSU.
Cost: Free!
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InventCon @ Superior MakerFest – SAVE THE DATE
March 15, 2025 will be the Invention Convention Michigan Regional Competition. Invention Convention is a Henry Ford Museum program that provides students with an opportunity to be creative innovators! Students grades 3-12 identify a problem, whether global or local, research, design, and iterate to create a solution prototype.
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UP MACUL 2025 @ Gogebic Community College – SAVE THE DATE
Friday, May 16, 2025 will be the date for UP MACUL.
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SCRIPT Workshops
MDE adopted CSforALL’s SCRIPT program, which is a system for districts to incorporate strategic planning around computer science implementation K-12. Funds are available for these workshops to happen Region, ISD-wide, or district-wide. Please let Emily know if your district is interested in starting a team. SCRIPT is ‘required’ for 99b Computer Science Professional Development funding.
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Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program
Please let Emily Geiger know if your school is interested in starting a new student leadership program, funded through MiSTEM. The program is International, is growing across the country, and is a state-wide initiative in FY25. I highly recommend this program if you do not have a student leadership program/club at your school already. Students select an action plan to carry out over the course of a school year–the projects/plans are student led and vary greatly in their breadth. Learn more through the CSO website!
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Robotics (MDE Funding line 99h)
Please let Emily Geiger know if your school needs assistance in getting a robotics team going for the 2024-2025 SY. Both FIRST and VEX Robotics are great programs and give our students the opportunity to learn and flex their mechanical and computer science skills. 99h funding will be available in the late Fall for districts, and WUP MiSTEM is happy to assist.
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Computer Science Professional Development (MDE funding line 99b)
Applications will be accepted in early November.
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In the works:
Invention Convention Michigan (ICM) Program Support
WUP MiSTEM and Michigan Tech CSEO are working with Michigan Tech and Gogebic Community College Students to offer ongoing project support for students through after school programming. Details will be forthcoming.
Storylines and Semiconductors (MEDC PK-8 Semiconductor Grant)
Funds to create a program to introduce WUP 4th and 6th graders to semiconductors to support the anticipated growth of the industry will be awarded.