Educators
Professional Learning Opportunities
Are you looking to expand your knowledge in teaching STEM in the classroom? The MiSTEM Network can help! We curate opportunities and bring them to the northwestern lower Michigan region as educators express interest. Below are opportunities and resources worth exploring as you embark to continue your learning.
We partner with North Ed for our workshop registration process. The platform used is Unified Talent. It’s free. It does require an account that uses your school email account. Please see below for directions on how to create an account.
Region 13 ISD Resources
Charlevoix Emmet ISD
Northwest Education Services
Regional Educational Materials Center
Mi-STAR Scholarships
Educator Professional Learning Scholarships
We offer Educator Scholarships to enable teachers to evolve and grow in their craft by attending STEM professional learning opportunities. The scholarships are distributed based on need and prioritized to those who are within the LEAs.
Apply for the scholarship to foster your growth in the craft of teaching. If you have questions regarding the scholarship, please contact Drea Weiner, MiSTEM Network Regional Director.
The logistical process for the scholarship is:
- Apply for the scholarship
- Include this spreadsheet in your application
- Receive approval email
- Have your school send an invoice with a note mentioning the MiSTEM Network and the professional learning you are attending to:
- Drea Weiner, MiSTEM Network Regional Director
- 1101 Red Drive
- Traverse City, MI 49686
Events
Career Exploration
Elementary Counselor Share Session
Explore career exploration, soft skill and SEL resources, lessons and activities. We will focus on 2-3 resources from various people and will have an opportunity for others to highlight what they are doing in their schools or ask other counselors for help in these areas. Each session will focus on different resources, materials, and event planning. Come with an idea of question to share. Focus will be on grades K-5.
Will be held online, 1st Tuesday of the month from 1:00-2:00pm (Except for November date which is moved back a week due to RSDD)
- MiSTEM Elementary Counselor Share Session – April 4th
SCECHS: Each session is 1 Career Exploration SCECH for counselors
Middle School Counselor Share Session
Explore career exploration, soft skill and SEL resources, lessons and activities. We will focus on 2-3 resources from various people and will have an opportunity for others to highlight what they are doing in their schools or ask other counselors for help in these areas. Each session will focus on different resources, materials, and event planning. Come with an idea of question to share. Focus will be on grades 6-8.
Will be held online, 2nd Thursday of the month from 1:00-2:00pm
- MiSTEM Middle School Counselor Share Session – April 13th
SCECHS: Each session is 1 Career Exploration SCECH for counselors
Xello Sessions: Beyond the Basics
Beyond Basics: In this session, receive tips and strategies to help you achieve your goals with Xello and better support your students’ future-readiness. Discover ways to use Xello’s reporting functionality to improve processes for monitoring and tracking student progress. Note, this session is tailored to your educators’ needs and responsibilities with Xello.
WHEN: TBD
SCECHS: Session is 1.5 Career Exploration SCECHs for counselors
Xello Sessions: Student Course Plans
Student Course Plans: In this session, learn how Xello’s activities and Course Planner help students build out their high school courses to support their career and learning goals. Get hands-on with the tool to fully understand how it works and what your role in managing their course plans will be.
When: TBD
SCECHS: Session is 1 Career Exploration SCECH for counselors
Engineering is Elementary Career Connections
Serra Motors
To better prepare our next-generation workforce today’s children need to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, communicators, and collaborators —whether preparing for STEM-related careers or contributing as world citizens. The EiE Career Connections sessions combine an exploratory engineering activity on-site at a workforce location that uses those concepts. Join us for one or more of the following events for supper and learning AND receive 1) a $50 stipend for public school educators; 2) 2 SCECHS for educators or 2 Career SCECHS for counselors.
When: April 11th, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686
SCECHs: Each session is 2 SCECHs for educators or 2 Career SCECHs for counselors
Cost: At NO COST to Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Educators, the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grant is funding this endeavor.
Oden Fish Hatchery
To better prepare our next-generation workforce today’s children need to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, communicators, and collaborators —whether preparing for STEM-related careers or contributing as world citizens. The EiE Career Connections sessions combine an exploratory engineering activity on-site at a workforce location that uses those concepts. Join us for one or more of the following events for supper and learning AND receive 1) a $50 stipend for public school educators; 2) 2 SCECHS for educators or 2 Career SCECHS for counselors.
When: April 12th, 5 pm – 7 pm
Location: 3377 U.S. 31 Oden, MI 49764
SCECHs: Each session is 2 SCECHs for educators or 2 Career SCECHs for counselors
Cost: At NO COST to Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Educators, the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grant is funding this endeavor.
Promoting STEM Through Literature
This is a beautiful mix of ELA and STEM where you may inspire your students (through the maker philosophy). and empower them with design thinking. Each of these lessons has been adapted from the REMC Promoting STEM Through Literature Project using OER Creative Commons. We partner with the REMC PSTL project to build structured supports for our local educators. $50 stipend.
When: May 8th, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Virtual
SCECHs: 2 with asynchronous work
Registration Deadline: May 1st, 2023
Cost: At NO COST to Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Educators, the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grant is funding this endeavor.
REMC Professional Learning Courses
The REMC Courses are a place where you can take courses “just to learn” or complete the course and assignments and earn SCECH credits. All courses are facilitated by Michigan educators.
Time Commitment: Each course session lasts for three (3) weeks and requires 10 hours of time to complete the work. This work includes participating in two, one (1) hour webinars OR listening to the pre-recorded webinar plus eight (8) hours for the reading, participation in discussion boards, and written reflection. More info to come.
Registration deadline is Thursday, April 6th, each course begins on Monday, April 10th. Through the support of REMC SAVE’s vendor partners, all courses are FREE and there are no SCECH fees. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn, connect, collaborate and grow with REMC courses.
Check out April 2023 courses here:
- Creating a Digital Makerspace for your Classroom
- Engaging Students in a Personalized Classroom
- Enhancing Instruction for All Learners
- Exploring Formative Assessment Tools
- Game-based Learning to Build Student Understanding & Engagement
- Making the Most of Your Google Classroom
- Power Up: Digital Leaders
- Preparing Professional Presentations
- Student Engagement through OER Creation
- Using Virtual Reality in Education
REMC Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan
Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan is a six-week, mostly asynchronous series to build a blended learning framework to help educators meet the needs of all students – even when they are absent. Participants will learn skills to gain a clearer picture of student learning and a blended learning model that allows teachers to work with small groups while learning continues in the classroom.
This series will train teachers in any subject area, grade level or school to implement three core research-based practices that have been proven to impact student and teacher outcomes.
Registration is open for cohorts 3 and 4. The dates are:
- Cohort 3 – April 10, 2023 – May 21, 2023
- Cohort 4 – July 10, 2023 – August 27, 2023
Want to know more? Click here for the Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan project.
Code.org
CS Fundamentals:
Computer Science Fundamentals is a Code.org curriculum designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5). Each grade level units are between 12-20 lessons long that are 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.
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 try to get.
- Strategies for teaching CS Fundamentals lessons.
- A connection to the community of CS Fundamentals teachers.
Bring Computer Science to Your Elementary School With CS Fundamentals – Brochure
No prior Computer Science experience is necessary. This workshop does require that you have access to a digital device and the internet to join the virtual meetups. The virtual meetups do require participation and discussion, therefore we recommend that you have access to a microphone and webcam (most are built into laptops.
When:
Series 5 | May 3, May 10, May 17, 2023 (Wed) | 4:30p-6:30p | |
Series 6 | June 21, June 22, 2023 (Wed-Thur) | 8:30-11:30a |
SCECHS: 12
Cost: At NO cost to Educators, the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grant is funding this endeavor.
Where: Online
Computer Science Professional Learning Network
Computer Science (CS) is a foundational skill that every student needs to have knowledge about. It is a great way to teach critical thinking, problem-solving, sequencing, and communication skills. Come connect with local educators on how they incorporate it into the classroom. It’s not as tough or scary as it sounds. Reach out to Drea Weiner, aweiner@northwested.org if you’d like to join.
When: Monthly beginning January 10th
Location: REMC 2 Central, 880 Parsons Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686
Cost: At NO COST to Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Educators, the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grant is funding this endeavor.
Tri-County Culturally Responsive Mathematics Institute
When: June 19 – 29, 2023
Location: Virtual, synchronous
We are excited to invite a cohort of teachers, high school students , and preservice teachers to work collaboratively to write culturally responsive mathematics tasks. These tasks will be piloted in teachers’ classrooms in the first semester of the 2023-2024 school. Researchers in the field of culturally responsive teaching and mathematics education will work with teams to support the development of creating high quality culturally responsive tasks, and provide feedback on finalized tasks. Stipends will be available to participants.
Code.org Follow-Up Workshop
When: June 20-21, 2023
Location: Bay City, MI
Prior CSP and CSD participants will have the opportunity to reconnect and to learn together after implementing the Code.org materials. Anybody who has ever participated in the CSP or CSD summer workshops are welcome to come back and re-energize with colleagues from across Michigan.
Prior CSA participants will engage in this two-day workshop to complete your CSA series for 2022-23. Come and reflect on your first year experience and reunite with our inaugural Michigan CSA Cohort.
*90 scholarships available statewide
CS Follow-Up Workshop – Details Coming Soon!
AMPED and GIC
Are you looking for hand-on, engaging, and project-based learning content to teach Algebra 1 and/or Geometry? The MiSTEM Network is providing 32 scholarships for the Algebra in Manufacturing Processes, Entrepreneurship & Design (AMPED) Workshop and 32 scholarships for the Geometry in Construction (GIC) Workshop for summer 2023 cohort training. See this link for more information and to apply.
When: June 26 – 29, 2023
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Computational Thinking in Traverse City (CT in TC)
Cost: At NO COST to Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Educators
When: July 24, 27, 28, 2023
Location: REMC 2 Central
Space is limited. Reach out to Drea Weiner, aweiner@northwested.org or Pete Milne, pmilne@northwested.org if you have questions.
What are you already doing in your classroom? Let’s make you and your students aware that the skills you’re already learning are foundational Computational Thinking skills. This three-day workshop would introduce to educators the Computational Thinking concepts: abstraction, decomposition, debugging, and patterns.
The educators would attend the Computer Science Teachers Association conference to network nationally and gain context to begin the project. They would then share out the learning and engage in hands-on activities that ground in CT and what’s already happening in the classroom. The next two days would be unit planning for interdisciplinary application within the schools. There would be a group presentation at WiredTC to share out within the region.
Teacher Benefits
- Registration for CSTA virtual conference July 11-13, 2023
- $360 Stipend
- Lunch Provided
- MSU CT Classroom Poster Set
- Coaching Support 2023-2024
- Access to a shared resource drive of CT
- Year-Round Coffee Chats – November, February
- SCECHs
Bootstrap: Data Science (Math Focus)
Cost: Scholarship
When: July 31-August 4, 2023 in Marquette, MI
Location: Northern Michigan University, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette, MI 49855
There will be a carpooling opportunity should you wish to participate. Reach out to Drea Weiner for more information.
The MiSTEM Network is bringing educators a comprehensive professional learning series to integrate mathematics and computer science meaningfully. This five-day workshop series will equip educators with the ability to implement module-based math lessons that capitalize on the modern digital tools that computer science offers to support effective and efficient teaching and learning.
Educators will have access to FREE CURRICULUM RESOURCES to implement in the 2023-24 academic school year.
Attendees will go through the curriculum as a student with the support and guidance from the facilitators. They will explore Data Science modules by forming meaningful questions and analyzing data to answer them. By using the Pyret programming environment, visualization tools, and filtering methods, they’ll develop the foundation for the culminating research paper about their findings.
WiredTC
This professional learning opportunity is a beautiful collaboration between Northwest Education Services, Traverse City Area Public Schools, Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network, and REMC 2 Central.
WiredTC is a happening learning place for ed tech geeks in northern Michigan. The call for speakers is open. So if you have some great things going on in your classroom and/or school district feel empowered to apply to present.
Cost: This conference is at NO COST to educators within the Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Region. Reach out to Drea Weiner, aweiner@northwested.org for the registration code. For those outside of the region, the fee is $45.
When: August 8th
Location: Traverse City Area Public Schools Central High School, 1150 Miliken Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686
Click here to view the website for more information.
ArcGIS Educator Accounts
Build interactive web maps with ArcGIS Online, Esri’s web-based mapping software. Gain new perspectives and enhanced details as you interact with data, zoom in, and search on the map. Use smart, data-driven mapping styles and intuitive analysis tools to gain location intelligence. Work effectively across your organization by collaboratively building and using maps. Share your insights with specific people or the entire world. Reach out to Drea Weiner, if you would like to have an account.
Cost: At NO Cost for Educators
Engineering is Elementary
Engineering is Elementary is a hands-on literacy-based approach to engineering in the elementary classroom. Join us for an Engineering Design Challenge that you could take back to your classroom. We will examine how engineering can support and drive student problem-solving and sense-making. Learn more about career pathways in this field and how you can help the future
engineers and innovators in your classroom.
Benefits:
- $120.00 Stipend
- Networking with Your Peers
Location: Virtual
SCECHs: 6 with two hours of Asynchronous Learning is expected between sessions on February 16th and 23rd.
Cost: At NO COST to Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network Educators, the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grant is funding this endeavor.
Sleeping Bear Dunes: Teacher-Ranger-Teachers
- $3,000 stipend
- 3 Graduate credits from the University of Colorado, Denver (CU Denver).
- Professional development providing a wide range of new knowledge and skills through working with park staff and partners
- Gain access to an extensive array of teaching resources and tools to enhance classroom curriculum in multiple content areas
- Begin or extend a personal and professional connection with national parks
- Housing in the park (if needed). Government housing is in, or near, Empire, MI, and is shared with one or more seasonal staff members.
Sturgeon in the Classroom Info Session
Conferences
The annual Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Conference is March 13-16, 2023 will be held in Grand Rapids, MI this year. It is one of the Midwest’s largest educational technology conferences with thousands of educators from across Michigan, the region, and Canada. The program will give you the chance to create a customizable experience with workshops, breakouts, speakers, etc. We are organizing a carpooling initiative if you’re interested in joining us.
Place-Based Education Conference
This national conference engages place-based education experts and practitioners who are committed to transforming teaching and learning to provide meaningful opportunities for young people to protect the environment and enhance their communities.
The conference is November 9-11, 2023 in Grand Rapids Michigan. Registration will open in April.
CSTA 2023 will provide you with the community of support you need to make connections locally and nationally. Join online to reconnect with your community of fellow K-12 computer science teachers. From affinity groups to local chapters and content-based meetups, you are certain to find your community of teachers. Head to the Exhibit Hall to learn how you can engage with CSTA year-round.
STEM Stars
STEM Stars are rockstar educators who bring phenomenal STEM to their students and educational community. They are nominated by their peers, students, etc.