Ensuring that every student can thrive in the regional STEM economy
Our work revolves around four pillars of STEM education:
Integrating Business and Education
to provide authentic STEM experiences for students and teachers
Engineering in the Classroom
Video Conversation: Say Yes to Engineering - Overcoming Six Common Fears with Christine Cunningham
Do you like the idea of including engineering education in the classroom but are overwhelmed by perceived obstacles?
Christine Cunningham has worked with hundreds of elementary and middle school educators to develop strategies to overcome those hurdles.
Check out the archived video to learn how to find the time, prepare materials, and manage student expectations while getting tips on how to handle a diverse array of ideas, grade effectively and make sure that no one gets left behind.
Joining her is Nancy Yocom de Romero, a middle school educator, who was one of the first teacher colloaborators with Engineering is Elementary.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX4Pa_g4PH4&feature=youtu.be
Dollar Bay SOAR
This teacher has interwoven elements of a high school enterprise program, First Robotics, Modeling, Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, and CTE.
www.dollarbay.k12.mi.us/article/soar
The Student Organization of Aquatic Robotics (SOAR) is a student-run, non-profit business that works to improve the local watershed. SOAR is composed of DB-TC students in grades 9 - 12. Anyone is able to join the robotics team to help aid in the engineering, design, and programming of aquatic robots.
In 2011, math/science teacher, Matt Zimmer, created a robotics class that would function in a number of ways. For starters, the class had real-world problem solving applications; specifically, the class helps to aid in the ecology and sustainability of local lakes and waterways. SOAR is a project-based class that allows students to design and create underwater robotics using technology like computer programming, machining, and 3-D printing.
The DB-TC robotics team is nationally recognized for their efforts. SOAR was the recipient of the National Hartzog Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service in exemplary contributions to the local watershed. The SOAR team engineered an aquatic robot to be used at Isle Royale to help locate zebra mussels in efforts to keep invasive species out of the Great Lakes. SOAR teamed up with the National Park Service and Isle Royale National Park to give students a chance to solve real-world problems with real-world solutions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khd1UWcYsPA#action=share
Michigan Department of Education Updates
MEMO #097-19
Mandated Reporter Requirements Updated
In accordance with Section 3(a) of MCL 722.623 – the Child Protection Law – teachers, school counselors, and school administrators are required to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect as mandated reporters. The Mandated Reporters’ Resource Guide states: The Child Protection Law requires mandated reporters who have reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect to make an immediate oral report to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) – Centralized Intake (855-444-3911), followed by a written report within 72 hours OR create a report through the Michigan Online Reporting System (MORS). A written report is not required if MORS was utilized to address the alleged abuse/neglect. The reporter is not expected to investigate the matter, know the legal definitions of child abuse and neglect, or even know the name of the perpetrator. The Child Protection Law is intended to make reporting simple and places responsibility for determining appropriate action with the Children’s Protective Services (CPS) division of MDHHS.
www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Mandated_Reporter_662565_7.pdf
MEMO #098-19
Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Constitution Day Certifications
This notice provides information regarding the submission procedure for certifying your district’s compliance for constitutionally protected prayer and Constitution Day. All certifications are due September 20, 2019.
www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Prayer_Constitution_day_662590_7.pdf
Sam Rhine's 2019-20 Genetic Update Conferences for
High School Students and their Teachers
Allendale HS - Oct 28
Churchill HS - Livonia - Oct 31
Program runs from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm / Lunch on your own
Pre-registration begins Sept 1, 2019: at www.samrhine.com
Developing Viruses as Antibiotics
CRISPR/Cas3 - the 'DNA Shredder'
Chromosome Tips & Life Expectancy
Producing Human Organs in the Lab
3-D Printng of Human Body Parts / Human-Animal Chimeras
CRISPR Modified Pigs produce Organs for Humans Transplants
Human Brain 'Organoids' / Decellularization & Recellularization
Reference: Science, Vol. 364, PP 458-463, May 3, 2019
Sam Rhine Genetics Update Conference – Genetic Update Conference
Sam's four-hour Genetic Update Conference is packed with the newest discoveries and applications in medical genetics and tissue engineering. It is designed for high school teachers and their students and is the field trip that will change lives and influence career decisions.Goodwill Industries-mentoring and job training
At the I-275 Industrial Council Meeting today, Goodwill Industries presented on their "Flip the Script" program. This program serves young men and women ages 16-30. It gives them mentoring and job training that can lead to certifications such as welding.
goodwilldetroit.org/services/for-individuals/flip-the-script/
For more information on all the programs of Goodwill Industries, go to:
goodwilldetroit.org/services/for-individuals/career-centers/
2019 MiCareerQuest
Registration opens on August 15th.
Make sure your high school students don’t miss
this innovative career exploration event
MiCareerQuest Southeast is coming back in November
and the excitement is building!
Your high school students will be introduced to the
most in-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing,
construction, health sciences and information
technology.
Exhibitors are developing hands-on,
interactive activities to highlight the skills your students
need to pursue these career opportunities.
Starting Thursday, August 15 through October 1 – you
can register the number of students you plan to send to
MiCareerQuest Southeast, plus indicate your preferred
session:
8:15 - 10:15 a.m. | 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 12:15 - 2:15 p.m.
www.eventbrite.com/e/micareerquest-southeast-2019-school-registration-registration-66467119945
MiCareerQuest Southeast 2019 - School Registration
SCHOOL REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 15 Make sure your high school students don’t miss this innovative career exploration event MiCareerQuest Southeast is coming back in November and the excitement is building! Your high school students will be introduced to the most in-demand jobs in advanced manufac...STEM News Chronicles -
The following is a link to a resource you may be interested in- www.snchronicle.com. This is a resource network with science/engineering business information and technical education information for an international readership of technologists and educators who value more diversity in the science and engineering workforce.
You can check out the newsletter archive, these are developed different industry sectors and the need for STEM proficient talent.
STEM NEWS Chronicle | STEM NEWS Chronicle
WELCOME STEM NEWS Chronicle We are a resource network with science/engineering business information and technical education information for an international readership of technologists and educators who value more diversity in the science and engineering workforce. Who We Are Our Editorial Board We....Gov. Whitmer Signs Proclamation Marking Immunization Awareness Month
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation declaring August, 2019 as Immunization Awareness Month.
“As governor, keeping Michiganders healthy and safe is my number one priority,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Michigan is 29th in the nation for vaccine coverage, and I know we can do better. I encourage every Michigander to take this time to educate themselves on the importance of immunizations to protect our overall public health and keep our families safe.”
Vaccines have greatly reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases throughout the United States. Currently, the U.S. has the safest vaccine supply in history. However, vaccine-preventable diseases still circulate in Michigan, and as of 2017, only 69.9 percent of children aged 19-35 months were up to date on their recommended vaccines. Michigan also recently experienced its largest hepatitis A outbreak ever, and in 2018 had the highest number of confirmed measles cases in the state since 1994.
The goal of Immunization Awareness Month is to educate the public on the safety of vaccines and ensure Michiganders are up to date on their vaccinations in order to prevent the continued spread of contagious and preventable disease.
To view the full proclamation, click the link below.
content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2019/08/12/file_attachments/1264588/Immunization%20Mont...
Leaky Pipeline to Become a Teacher
Did you miss the report that came our in February? It's included at the bottom of this Chalkbeat article.
www.chalkbeat.org/posts/detroit/2019/02/12/report-michigans-teacher-supply-is-dwindling-and-the-s...
Report: Michigan’s teacher supply is dwindling and the state is doing little about it
Does Michigan have a teacher shortage? Maybe not statewide, but this report suggests a coming problem.26 years of experience. I will make 8K more than I did in 1993 next year.
Hundreds of Detroit Workforce Organizations Mapped:
Key Referral Networks Identified and Quantified
— According to a new report produced for the McGregor Fund and released by the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan (WIN), the referral network for job seekers living in poverty and facing multiple barriers to employment in the City of Detroit extends beyond traditional workforce development activities. Nearly 260 workforce and related service providers were identified as part of the referral network and approximately half provide some combination of temporary shelter, food assistance, clothing, health services, basic literacy education, and other essential services.
Key themes from the research are:
1. Multiple barriers to employment are the most detrimental to positive employment outcomes.
2. The most common barriers to employment are beyond the scope of traditional workforce development system activities, including: safe and affordable housing, accessible transportation, and affordable and accessible quality child care.
3. The most effective strategies for securing and maintaining employment combine initial work experience, coaching, and direct support for basic needs such as transportation, child care, work attire, and housing.
4. System-coordinated referrals are critical in reducing service fragmentation for job seekers.
5. Public funding requirements limit the workforce system’s capacity, causing many Detroiters to subsist without access to direct support services necessary to successfully engage in the jobs marketplace.
This research, compiled by WIN on behalf of the McGregor Fund, affirms the focus and findings of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation’s (DESC) workforce system redesign efforts. WIN research and outcomes are consistent with DESC’s increased emphasis on poverty reduction and encouraging financial stability for Detroiters. “We’re pleased to be in partnership with McGregor on continuous improvements in the workforce eco-system. This body of work affirms the strategies that our leadership has set, and gives us additional data to help better orchestrate sustainable solutions for Detroit’s workforce,” said Nicole Sherard-Freeman, President and CEO of DESC. Consideration of the conclusions in this report can also inform future efforts to engage more individuals in the labor force. Incorporating these themes can also ensure that the recent growth is accessible to all Detroit residents, and indeed residents throughout the region.
“Identifying key players within workforce development and supporting human services nonprofits not only allows us to see who is already working together, but also who should be working together. This kind of analysis provides replicable and measurable data that moves us away from anecdote and urban legend, toward leveraging the strengths of our community for the benefit of our neighbors, the city, and this region,” noted Michele Ureste, executive director, WIN.
“As a relatively new workforce funder, the McGregor Fund is pleased to partner with WIN to better understand the network of providers and approaches for reconnecting the most disconnected jobseekers to work,” according to Kate Levin Markel, President. “We hope that this research helps to advance community dialogue about what it takes to end poverty through employment.”
The full report titled Supporting Job Seekers Facing Multiple Barriers to Work: Key Considerations from Research, Funding, Provider Insights, and Referral Patterns in Detroit, as well as social network maps showing the identified service providers can be viewed at: winintelligence.org/report/detroit-workforce-system/
Supporting Job Seekers Facing Multiple Barriers to Work - Workforce Intelligence Network
The conclusions presented in this report emerged as overarching themes throughout WIN’s research, supported by a combination of statistically significant evidence in literature, clear patterns within funding data, consistent survey responses, and a workforce network analysis. Each of the key theme...