Community Resources
Our region is rich in community resources. We at the MiSTEM Network have curated these resources for your use. Each has been linked out for you to explore the best fit for you and your students.
Do you know of a community resource that should be listed? Reach out to Drea Weiner, MiSTEM Network Regional Director to have it added to the collection.
| Name | Description | Band | Content Area | Partner Type | Cost | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver Island District Library | The Beaver Island offers career exploration for teens, activities for PreK-5, and resources available for your use. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, ELA, Career Exploration | Government | None | https://www.beaverisland.michlibrary.org/kids-and-teens |
| Benzonia Public Library | Benzonia Public Library offer various student activities and resources available for your use. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | ELA | Government | None | https://www.benzonialibrary.org/youth.html |
| Boyne District Library | Boyne District Library serves our youngest patrons in the lower level of the library. In the Children's Department we have programming for children for ages birth through elementary school. We offer weekly storytime sessions for our toddlers and preschoolers. We also have fun family-centered programming ranging from STEAM challenges to movie nights to reading challenges. Stop by after school to see what fun can be had. Boyne District Library also hosts a great summer reading program filled with performers, arts and crafts, and prizes. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | ELA, Science, Engieering | Government | None | https://www.boynelibrary.org/children-programs |
| Challenge Island | The Challenge Island program and curriculum are designed to meet the needs of two entities: Today’s playful, imaginative child and tomorrow’s empowered, globally-successful adult. We rest this core mission on our foundational palm tree pillars. | K-2, 3-5 | STEM, 3P, SEL | For-Profit | Yes | https://challenge-island.com/nwmichigan/ |
| Charlevoix Public Library | The Charlevoix Public Library offers activies encompassing technology, science, and maker to expand the knowledge of their local students. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Technology, ELA, Science, Maker | Government | None | https://www.charlevoixlibrary.org/youth/youth-services/ |
| COGnition | COGNiTiON is an interactive science playground captivating the community and lifelong learners. Enjoy a hands-on center full of intimate exhibits that capture big ideas in creative ways! | K-2, 3-5 | STEM | Nonproft | Yes | https://www.discovercognition.org/ |
| DNR Nature at School | Nature at School is a slate of free, live, interactive, virtual lessons with DNR educators. Developed for formal classroom teachers of grades 3-12, we've also adapted lessons for preK-2, with a minimum of 10 students. For smaller groups, or homeschool students, our webinar series allows any student, parent or teacher to participate. | Pre-K, K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science | Government | None | https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/educators/natureschool |
| Farm to School | Farm to School financially supports local farms and protects farmland by helping schools serve locally grown food while educating students about why local food is good for health, environment and economy. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8 | Science, Math, 3P | Government | None | http://farmtoschool.northwested.org/ |
| Grand Traverse Conservation District | The Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) Environmental Education programming provides children, families, and adults a gateway to our natural world. In facilitating the exploration and study of the outdoors, our programming seeks to empower individuals to play a personal role in environmental stewardship and inspire future generations of conservation leaders. Click the tiles below for more information about our programming. | K-2, 3-5 | Science | Nonprofit | Yes | https://natureiscalling.org/educators-field-trips |
| Great Lakes Children's Muesum | The Great Lakes Children’s Museum provides hands-on, interactive, and informal educational environments for children and the adults in their lives that invite curiosity, allow exploration, encourage participation and celebrate the child-like wonder in all of us. | K-2 | Science | Nonprofit | Yes | https://www.greatlakeskids.org/ |
| Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative | Every day, the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative sparks new ways for teachers and students to learn from the world around them. We inspire connections between classrooms and the local environment to build resilient communities. We provide unprecedented resources to transform K–12 education in the Great Lakes region through a powerful, one-of-a-kind statewide network of coordinated hubs. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, 3P | Nonprofit | None | https://greatlakesstewardship.org/ |
| Headlands International Dark Sky Park | The park contains approximately 550 acres of pristine woodlands, more than two miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline and many species of rare and endangered plant life. Visitors to the Headlands may experience sightings of the many wild animals native to the area including: bald eagles, osprey, white tail deer, wild turkeys, coyotes and occasionally a black bear. Marked nature trails guide hikers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and nature photographers to experience the park throughout the changing seasons. | 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science | Nonprofit | Yes / No | https://www.midarkskypark.org/ |
| Inlands Seas Education Association | Inland Seas Education Association offers a variety of options for schools to introduce their students to hands-on learning on and around the Great Lakes. In the four-hour Schoolship programs, students become scientists for the day and assist professional staff and seasoned volunteer instructors with the collection and analysis of Great Lakes samples. ROV Engineer and Explore programs extend student learning onshore and can be used as stand-alone programs or in conjunction with a Schoolship program. For schools coming from greater distances, a 40-bed on-site dormitory space is available | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, Math, 3P | Nonprofit | Yes | https://schoolship.org/school-programs/ |
| Jobs for Michigan Graduates | Jobs for Michigan's Graduates is the leading program of Youth Solutions, Inc., a premier youth opportunity organization on a mission to equip young people with the skills to overcome barriers and win in education, employment, and in life. Youth Solutions is the state-based affiliate of the national Jobs for America's Graduates organization (jag.org), one of the largest and most successful school-to-work systems in the United States. The JMG model consists of a comprehensive set of services designed to help young people achieve education and career goals. | 6-8, 9-12 | Workforce Development | Nonprofit | None | https://www.nwmiworks.org/additional/jobs-for-michigans-graduates.html |
| MSU Extensions | MSU Extension offers a variety of opportunities to get involved which include 4H and student activities which focus on expanding their knowledge. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, Math | University | Yes / No | https://www.canr.msu.edu/grand_traverse/ |
| National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration | Opportunities and resources from across NOAA for students, educators, and curious people everywhere. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, Math | Government | None | https://www.noaa.gov/education |
| North Sky Raptor Sanctuary | North Sky Raptor Sanctuary is a rehabilitation center located in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, that is also dedicated to education, and increasing the overall public awareness of wildlife, ecology, and environmental issues as they relate to raptors. The husband/wife duo operate the organization on private property, and have a passion for raptors, and ensuring their role in the wild, for the enjoyment and appreciation of future generations. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science | Nonprofit | Yes | https://www.northskyraptor.org/ |
| Petoskey District Library | The kids room at the Petoskey District Library is a great place for kids and their grown ups to choose books, read together, play a board game, work on puzzles, and meet new friends. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Maker | Government | None | https://www.petoskeylibrary.org/en/visit-us/kids-room.aspx |
| Quarkmine | Quarkmine is a social enterprise with a proven track record with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocacy, robotics competitions, STEM events, education, classroom integration, and project-based discovery. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | STEM, Engineering | For-Profit | Yes | https://quarkmine.com/ |
| Raven Hill Discovery Center | Raven Hill Discovery Center was established in 1991 and opened in 1992, It is a unique place in northern Lower Michigan where children and adults can link science, history & the arts with hands-on activities and explorations both indoors and outdoors. The Center is located on 170 acres in Charlevoix County adjacent to Little Traverse Conservancy’s Raven Ridge Nature Preserve. Raven Hill is a teaching institution where visitors learn as much from the indoor and outdoor exhibits as they do from the knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Raven Hill draws on its mission to guide its growth and development. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8 | Science, History, Art | Nonprofit | Yes | https://miravenhill.org/ |
| The Rock Youth Center | At The Rock our youth program believes that all youth have amazing potential and that the values and skills learned are vital building blocks for life. We continue to give 6th-12th graders a quality, free of charge, safe place to belong, build confidence, and learn. Our blanket of senior citizen and community programming embraces and helps support our successful youth programming. | 6-8, 9-12 | SEL | Nonprofit | Yes | https://therockofkingsley.com/programs/ |
| Skype a Scientist | Skype a Scientist has a database of thousands of scientists and helps them connect with classrooms, families, libraries, scout troops, and more all over the globe! We give students the opportunity to get to know a real scientist and get the answers to their questions straight from the source. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science | Nonprofit | None | https://www.skypeascientist.com/ |
| Sleeping Bear: A Classroom in the Dunes | Big lakes, small lakes, towering dunes, lush forests and more are waiting at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for you and your students to explore. Find information and resources to help you plan your field trip and more as you use Sleeping Bear Dunes as your classroom. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science | Government | None | https://www.nps.gov/slbe/learn/education/index.htm |
| STEAM Maker Alliance | Does your organization provide STEM resources and activities such as camps, clubs, excursions, online resources, or places to visit? Consider joining our STEAM/Maker Alliance! As an SMA member, you will have the opportunity to network, participate in events, be included in our annual STEAM/Maker Passport, and cross-promote our organizations and activities. We meet monthly to plan our events and projects. | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, Art, Technology, Engineering | Various | None | https://newtonsroad.org/lets-partner/steam-maker-alliance/ |
| Square One Education Network | We are only as good as our team here at Square One. From our Board members to our Staff we are committed to providing outstanding STEM Learning Opportunities for the Teachers and Students of the “Square One Nation”, and building the High-Tech Talent Supply Chain for our Post Secondary and Industry Partners. | 6-8, 9-12 | Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, STEM, Computer Science | Nonprofit | Yes | https://www.squareonenetwork.org/ |
| Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council | Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s youth education programs provide amazing hands-on learning experiences for students of all ages and allow them to become valued partners addressing important watershed stewardship issues. Through their participation, students gain a better understanding of the social, economic, and environmental importance of Northern Michigan’s water resources. As a result, youth within Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Cheboygan Counties are not only engaging in the protection of their water resources, but they are changing attitudes throughout their communities. | 6-8, 9-12 | Science | Nonprofit | Donation | https://www.watershedcouncil.org/youth-education.html |
| Traverse Area District Library | Our vibrant Youth Services department is always buzzing with the hum of readers greeting the fish and skimming the shelves, exploring our play area, craft kits, and events. Check in on our fish anytime with FishCam! | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 | Science, Maker, ELA | Government | None | https://www.tadl.org/services/youth |