December 2024
WUP MiSTEM Updates
Emily Geiger, WUP MiSTEM Network Director
(906)482-4250 ext. 188
Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program
CCISD CSO Leadership Training Institute (LTI)
WUP MiSTEM is launching the CSO program this December 16 and 17 at Michigan Tech. The program is for grade 6-12 students. MS Science teachers were given the email to nominate 2-4 middle school students that would excel in a leadership & professionalism skill building program. SLACK students will be the HS population attending the CSO LTI (with school approval), to undergo leadership training and to work on a collective action plan (Spring 2025 Student Leadership Summit). Please reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. The CSO program was also presented to the CCISD Counselors’ group. Learn more through the CSO website!
GOISD CSO Leadership Training Institute (LTI)
WUP MiSTEM is launching the CSO program this December 18 and 19 at Gogebic Community College. The program is for grade 6-12 students. MS and HS Science teachers were given the email to nominate 2-4 middle school students that would excel in a leadership & professionalism skill building program. The program is designed to build up student leaders by providing them with the opportunity and platform to create action plans and implement them over the course of a school year. Please reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns. The CSO program was also presented to the CCISD Counselors’ group. Learn more through the CSO website!
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December GOISD Math Challenge
The December GOISD Math Challenge targets 6th graders! We have created an At-Home activity for students to practice their math skills. Check out the instructions here for calculating Santa’s Sleigh Speed. Students have until December 20 to complete the activity and submit it to their math instructors for scoring.
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GOISD MS/HS Math Professional Learning Network (PLN)
The next meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2025 at 9a ET in Bergland. Sub-costs will be covered. The focus of this meeting is for power standards identification. Desmos will join to review their calculator application. If your district has new hires or interest in participating, contact Emily Geiger.
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OneUP Copper Trail Festival on December 10, 2024
@ Michigan Technological University Student Development Complex (SDC)
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!
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InventCon Kick-Off Event
Saturday, December 7, 2024 @ 12-4p at Michigan Tech Memorial Union Building (MUB Ballroom)
Grade 3-12 students/parents/teachers are invited to attend an InventCon Kick-Off Event. At this event, an overview of the Henry Ford Museum Invention Convention Michigan Curriculum and introduction to the competition rules and guidelines, and brainstorming activities with Michigan Tech Students (Tech Tutors and MindTrekkers) to start the engineering design process with interested students. Attendance does not commit students to the competition; the target of this event is to introduce students to the competition while exploring with and practicing creative thinking.
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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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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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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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Computer Science Professional Development (MDE funding line 99b)
Applications will be accepted now through January 15, 2025. A $50,0000 recommended request limit. The application should be available to each district in NexSys. I am happy to assist with proposal writing.
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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.