Ensuring that every student can thrive in the regional STEM economy
Governor's MiSTEM Advisory Council
The Governor’s MiSTEM Advisory Council released our 2020 Annual Report. The Council has established three priorities for 2020-21 that will continue to move STEM forward in Michigan. These priorities are to be carried out through actions that empower STEM teachers and integrate education with business.
- Priority 1: Strengthen the Network (focus on equity)
- Priority 2: Contribute to the COVID-19 Response
- Priority 3: Elevate Computer Science
Our work revolves around four pillars of STEM education:
Integrating Business and Education
to provide authentic STEM experiences for students and teachers
www.stemedcoalition.org
Coalition Sends Letter to White House Urging Leadership in Promoting STEM Education On Friday, May 12, the STEM Education Coalition sent a letter to the White House outlining a myriad of opportunities where the President Biden and Continue ReadingGovernor Whitmer Announces 5 Million Vaccinations, Calls on Federal Government to Surge Additional Vaccines to Michigan
To slow the spread and protect Michiganders, Governor urges Michiganders to voluntarily suspend in-person activities for high schools, indoor dining, and youth sports for two weeks.
LANSING, Mich. – At a press conference in Lansing today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan will hit more than five million vaccinations by the end of the day. While vaccine supply has increased dramatically since the Biden Administration took office, the state is currently experiencing a serious spike in COVID-19 cases that is putting pressure on Michigan hospital systems. To slow the spread of the virus and protect more Michiganders, the governor renewed her call for the federal government to surge additional vaccines to Michigan, while also urging high schools to shift to remote learning, encouraging diners to choose outdoor dining or takeout instead of indoor seating, and recommending youth sports suspend in-person activities for the next two weeks.
“Administering more than five million doses of the safe and effective COVID vaccine in under four months is a big deal, but we’ve still got a lot more work to do,” said Governor Whitmer. “Right now our numbers are alarming, and we all have a role to play to get our state moving in the right direction again. That’s why I’m renewing my call on the federal government to surge additional vaccines to our state. And it’s why I’m urging high schools and youth sports to voluntarily suspend in-person activities for the next two weeks. This is a team effort. It's on all of us to do our part by masking up and getting vaccinated to protect ourselves and our families, so we can get back to normal. Let’s get it done.”
While many states across the country have dropped basic health protocols altogether, the State of Michigan continues to implement smart health policies and mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, including a statewide mask mandate, limits on indoor social gatherings larger than 25 people, expanded testing requirements for youth sports, and dozens of pop-up testing sites across the state.
“As a parent and former student-athlete myself, I understand how important athletics are to our children’s physical and mental health. However, parents and athletes need to understand the risk involved with youth sports if they choose to participate,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We’ve seen that the younger population has played a significant role in transmission during this most recent spike. I urge youth sports organizers to pause in-person activities for the next couple weeks, and as always, mask up, wash your hands, social distance and get your safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you are able.”
Over the last few weeks, Michigan has tracked outbreaks associated with youth sports. To prevent additional outbreaks, Governor Whitmer is urging youth sports on both school-sponsored and non-school sponsored teams to suspend in-person activities, like games and practices, for the next two weeks. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) requires testing for youth sports between the ages of 13-19, and provides testing assistance through the MI Safer Sports testing program, which expanded weekly testing protocols for athletes and teams. For all youth sports, participants must test on at least a weekly basis for COVID-19, and also before any unmasked activity.
“Based on the increase in positivity rates and hospitalizations, we need the help of Michiganders,” said Tina Freese Decker, President & CEO of Spectrum Health. “We ask you to practice the safety behaviors that we know work and get vaccinated as soon as possible. This will help us slow the spread and hopefully this will be our last surge.”
In addition to urging youth sports to suspend in-person activities, Governor Whitmer is asking high schools to utilize virtual instruction for the next two weeks to slow the spread of COVID-19. MDHHS issued guidance to schools strongly encouraging them to enroll in the department’s testing program if they are open to in-person instruction. Additionally, the state is offering 56 pop-up sites located throughout Michigan as part of the special program in an effort to increase access to testing for Michiganders returning from Spring Break. For more information on additional test sites, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirustest.
“Our recent COVID case numbers are the highest in the nation, and hospitalizations have climbed significantly in the last month. Michigan educators, students, and families have risen to the challenge over the past year, and I am confident they will continue to do what is needed to help save lives as we keep fighting the pandemic,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “I support the recommendations of the governor. I urge schools to contribute the next two weeks toward the common good of our state and the health of our residents.”
Governor Whitmer is also urging Michiganders to avoid dining indoors and avoid gathering with friends indoors for two weeks. The unfortunate nature of this deadly virus is that it spreads quickly when people are gathered indoors without masks for an extended period of time. By opting to dine outdoors or order takeout, restaurants can remain open while operating safely to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“MSYSA appreciates Governor Whitmer providing us the opportunity to review our specific risk mitigation strategies and return to play guidelines,” said Thomas Faro, Executive Director of Michigan State Youth Soccer Association, Inc. “We acknowledge the need for our members to continue to do their part with the consistent use of facial coverings and social distancing so that children can play soccer.”
To date, Michigan has administered more than five million vaccines, moving the state closer to its goal of equitably vaccinating at least 70% of Michiganders ages 16 and older as soon as possible. Last week, Governor Whitmer raised Michigan's COVID-19 vaccination goal from 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day. After announcing the state had surpassed four million vaccines administered on March 29, another one million vaccine doses were administered in less than two weeks to reach the five million vaccine milestone.
For the latest information on Michigan’s response to COVID-19, please visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. You may also call the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136, or email COVID-19@michigan.gov.
On Thursday Michigan Mathematics and Science Leadership Network has a noon chat with Dr. Jennifer Frisch ( Univ. of Minnesota - Duluth). She will specifically highlight ways she is using ArcGIS StoryMaps with elementary students. I think this is a great way to expand our vision of tools that elementary students can and should be using to support sensemaking! Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/science-bi-weekly-chat-april-15-2021-tickets-142587303463
Science Bi-Weekly Chat - April 15, 2021
www.eventbrite.com
Science Bi-Weekly Chat - with Jennifer Frisch, University of Minnesota, DuluthModeling in Middle School Science
This excellent teacher professional learning has not been available for 2 years. This year it is FREE because of our MiSTEM Advisory Council Grant!
Apply directly at mimodelinginstruction.org
Modeling in Middle School Science has an awesome record of accomplishment in Michigan and we are bringing it back after a 2-year hiatus. This is for teachers in non-MiSTAR districts. It does not matter what resource you are currently using, if it’s NGSS aligned, to be effectively implemented it will require the instructional prowess of a Modeling Teacher.
13 NGSS aligned units are included with the PL. These units can be structured into a district curriculum.
Modeling Instruction in Michigan
mimodelinginstruction.org
These materials were developed under a MiSTEM grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education. The professional learning is designed as an immersion model where teachers learn from national...Accelerate student learning this
summer with HB 4048 ESSER funding
In the past year, Michigan educators have improvised, innovated and adapted to keep our
students learning.
The MiSTEM Network will help you continue that learning this summer with innovative
programs to empower educators and accelerate student achievement across reading, math
and science.
We have a rich offering of hands-on, project-based STEM learning experiences that can take
you through the summer – and even in-school or after-school programs in the fall.
FEATURED PROGRAM
Professional Learning: Computer Science Fundamentals
for kindergarten to fifth Grade. No experience needed!
Intro-level workshops for those just getting started in learning how
to implement lessons and powerful teaching strategies.
Why Code.org?
• Customizable curriculum. Teach just one lesson and embed it
into other programming or teach a full 8-week summer course.
• Receive training in time to be ready for summer.
• Training available in the evening, SCECHs available
Apply for Innovation Funds for this STEM-based opportunity to
qualify for an extra $100 per student!
Please see link for more details www.michigan.gov/documents/leo/21-MiSTEM-0164-Summer-Learning-FINAL_720360_7.pdf
Learn today, build a brighter tomorrow.
code.org
CS is more important than ever. Let's build the future we want. #CSforGoodWhy is project, problem, and place-based education important?
vimeo.com/513174301/f718e00cf3?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
• A tiny particle called a muon appears to disobey the laws of physics, challenging scientists’ understanding of the universe.
www.nytimes.com/2021/04/07/science/particle-physics-muon-fermilab-brookhaven.html?campaign_id=9&e...
A Tiny Particle’s Wobble Could Upend the Known Laws of Physics
www.nytimes.com
Experiments with particles known as muons suggest that there are forms of matter and energy vital to the nature and evolution of the cosmos that are not yet known to science.ED Releases American Recovery Plan (ARP) Funds
The American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (APR ESSER) fund provides $122 billion in relief for Pre-K-12 schools to reopen safely and address the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of their students. On March 24, two-thirds of the funds—$81 billion in total—were made available to states. The Department encourages states to develop and implement plans to use the funding immediately to open more schools safely this spring and work to close gaps in education equity that the pandemic exacerbated. The remainder of ARP ESSER funds will become available after states submit the plans they are developing and implementing for using ARP ESSER funds to safely reopen schools and meet the needs of students to the Department.
oese.ed.gov/american-rescue-plan-elementary-and-secondary-school-emergency-relief/
content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/2cb7d0b
Essential Educator newsletter: Spring 2021
content.govdelivery.com
In nature, spring is the season of birth and renewal. Here in Michigan, after our long winters, we look forward to robins pulling worms out of our lawns, wildflowers peeking out from under the leaves and the night sounds of spring peepers.Could your students be interested in a computer science career?
www.computerscience.org/careers/
Compare Top Careers in Computer Science | ComputerScience.org
www.computerscience.org
Learn about the many options Computer Science grads have available to them. Research career opportunities, average salaries, skills and job descriptions.