The Four Pillars

The Four Pillars

Michigan, together with business, education, and community partners, is embarking on a journey to create a MiSTEM Network throughout the state. This opportunity grew out of Governor Snyder’s MiSTEM Advisory Council recommendation to make Michigan a world leader in STEM education. The Council report lists four pillars as necessary components to establish a system that will produce STEM-equipped students and educators. These pillars are: create a STEM culture, empower STEM teachers, integrate business and education, and ensure high quality STEM experiences. The work of the MiSTEM Network is to build on existing STEM networks to create a STEM ecosystem that supports and implements the components outlined in the four pillars. Per Public Act 108 of 2017 Section 99r, the MiSTEM Network Plan was submitted by the MiSTEM Network Committee on December 1, 2017. In order to view the full functionality of the report, we recommend that readers view it electronically.


Initiative Update Slides

Associated speaker notes

Putting the pillars to action

Jump to:


Creating a STEM Culture


Empowering Stem Teachers


Integrating Business and Education


Ensuring High-Quality STEAM Experiences

Pillar 1: Creating a STEM Culture

by building STEM awareness and promoting opportunities

What we’ve done

Wayne RESA has developed a groundbreaking Career and Workforce initiative, which includes:

  • a new website to promote both classroom and workforce career resources in Wayne County
  • dedicated Career Counselors to provide customized career coaching for high school students in post-secondary options
  • literacy lab “Pop Ups” integrating engineering and literacy. Students utilize engineering hands-on activities, read informational texts, and write.

Pillar 2: Empowering STEM Teachers​

to provide authentic STEM experiences for students and teachers

What we’ve done

  • We have compiled resources to help educators understand science standards and math standards,  plan assessments, and integrate engineering into instruction.
  • We have provided a collection of Maker/STEM materials available for educators in Wayne County to borrow at no cost.
  • Professional learning opportunities are provided in the use of these materials and how to integrate them into curriculum.
  • We will leverage our partnership with NASA through the AEROKATS and ROVER Education Network (AREN) project to provide maker materials and training to support student design and engineering projects.
  • Math Recovery Training and Support.
  • Development of a curriculum framework
    that can support math instruction across the county.
  • The mathematics leadership network is
    building momentum for math improvement across the county.
  • Biology Pilot Project
  • NGSX Science Professional Learning      
  • K-8 Engineering Professional Learning
  • Arizona State University Modeling Instruction

The state of Michigan has adopted new Science and Mathematics Academic Standards. These new standards require a major shift in teacher practice. Additionally, curricular and assessment resources that are aligned to these new standards need to be created and utilized. Michigan teachers need support understanding these new standards, changing their own professional practice, and creating/evaluating/utilizing resources.

Pillar 3: Integrating Business and Education

to provide authentic STEM experiences for students and teachers

What we’ve done

  • We have helped to connect students with businesses through STEM Career Days, using resources from MiCareerQuest Southeast and MFG Day.
  • Our Geospatial Technologies Talent Consortium received just under $1 Million through the Marshall Plan for Talent Grant.
    • We have created 3 dual enrollment courses with EMU for free college credit
    • Students will take the test for the ESRI software certification and FAA Drone certification
    • Students will have paid internships

If you are a business interested in connecting with the Wayne Regional MiSTEM network, contact Greg Johnson (johnsog@resa.net). Connecting educational systems, students, and employers is important to all parties and the local STEM economy.

Pillar 4: Ensuring High-Quality STEM Experiences

to promote the region’s STEM workforce

What we’ve done

  • We have created a Ready to Launch Career Counselor Initiative
  • Connected dedicated Career Counselors with high school students to explore and plan post-secondary opportunities, including career pathways in STEM areas that can be supported by apprenticeships.
  •  Support the teaching of computer science K-12
  • Carnegie STEM Pathway: 6 Wayne County schools were selected to receive 3 days of continuous improvement training in the area of STEM education. Each of the public schools will also receive $5,000 to support their improvement efforts.
  • STEM Maker Summit at the Henry Ford Museum. At this summit, teachers from across the county learn about new technology, and different ways to get their students engaged in the creative process of design and fabrication.

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