Science & Tech News

It may be a winter wonderland outside right now, but we've been keeping warm and staying busy with some incredible tech initiatives! We had a fantastic time at our recent Byte-Sized Learning event, where we dove into the essentials of Digital Citizenship in the Age of AI and shared meaningful ways to keep classrooms both innovative and responsible.

This month’s newsletter is filled with exciting updates to brighten up these cold days, including a vendor chat with Novel Effect, a spotlight on the Sphero RVR, and a preview of our March Byte-Sized Learning session. We’ve also rounded up several unique opportunities for you and your students, ranging from Rural AI Strategy labs and Code.org workshops to engineering camp scholarships at MTU. So grab a warm drink and dive into the rest of this month’s updates below to find some fresh inspiration for your classroom!

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Novel Effect is an interactive literacy tool that brings stories to life by adding music, sound effects, and character voices that respond as you read aloud, boosting engagement and confidence for readers of all ages. Educators use it to enhance classroom read-alouds with no extra prep and deepen student connection to texts. Join us February 24th from 11:00 - 11:30 am to learn how Novel Effect can elevate your instruction!

Register for any of our VIRTUAL sessions (11:00 - 11:30 am):

Feb 24 - Novel Effect Read Aloud Books

March 24 - National Geographic Learning

April 28 - School AI

Missed one of the previous sessions? You can watch the recordings!

3Dux Design Befitting You Square One Education Network

We’re excited to add a Byte-Sized Learning Session on March 25th from 4:00–6:00 PM at W.H. Ales in Bay City! During this session, we’ll share engaging ideas and resources gathered from the MACUL Conference.

This is a great opportunity to learn—whether you’re attending MACUL this year or not. If you are going, join us to share your learning with colleagues; if you’re not, come hear the highlights and discover ideas you can bring back to your classroom or school. Please register here if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!

The Day of Discovery (professional learning for Discovery Education) that was initially scheduled for Feb 11th at Saginaw ISD has been postponed until May. Please watch for more details coming soon.

Sphero RVRs are programmable robots designed for upper elementary through high school and support block-based coding, Python, and sensor-based learning. Engage your students in STEM and computer science as they design obstacle courses, explore real-world problem solving, or connect coding to science and engineering concepts. RVRs and many more maker materials are available through the REMC 6 Website.

Drowning in emails you need to act on later? Turn important messages into to-dos and keep them front and center in your Google Calendar!

1. Open an email in Gmail.

2. Click the Tasks icon (checkmark in a circle) at the top of the email or in the right-hand panel.

3. The email is added as a task—set a due date if needed.

4. Open Calendar and turn Tasks on (under My calendars) to see your tasks alongside your events.

The Rural AI Strategy Lab is a six-month learning network to support rural school and district teams in designing, testing, and refining practical uses of AI. Led by FullScale and All4Ed, selected teams receive coaching, access to AI and innovation resources, and opportunities to collaborate with a national network of rural educators. Participation is free, and selected teams receive a $4,000 stipend, with travel and registration provided for Symposium 2026. The program runs March–September 2026, with an in-person convening in October. Applications are due February 13, 2026. Contact Dr. Megan Benay at megan.benay@fullscalelearning.org with any questions.

The CSforMichigan Collaborative is offering free, virtual Code.org workshops in CS Fundamentals (K–5) and CS Connections & Maker (Micro:bits) (K–8) for Michigan educators, funded by MiSTEM Advisory Council grants. No prior computer science experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to learn. Led by certified Code.org facilitators, these workshops model classroom-ready lessons and provide high-quality instructional resources educators can use right away. Participants can choose sessions that fit their schedule and will receive SCECHs and a stipend upon completion. Visit the registration flyer for dates, times, and sign-up links.

The CSforMichigan Collaborative is offering virtual Code.org professional learning workshops this summer to support Michigan’s high school computer science requirement and strengthen middle school pathways. Open to educators at all experience levels, these workshops build confidence in teaching computer science using free, high-quality curricula with all instructional resources included. Sessions include AI Foundations, CS Principles, and CS Discoveries for grades 6–12, with flexible options to teach as stand-alone courses or embed into existing curricula. Financial assistance is available; learn more and register at mi-coding.com.

LabXchange is a free, powerful high school science platform that offers high-quality simulations, interactives, and diverse scientist narratives to bring STEM to life. Teachers can create customized "learning pathways" that blend virtual lab practice with global scientific content to meet student needs. Free professional learning for teachers and districts is also available. Email nicoles@labxchange.org for more information.

Hemlock Semiconductor is once again partnering with Michigan Tech University to offer scholarships for students in grades 9–11 from Midland, Gratiot, Bay, and Saginaw counties to attend the Engineering Scholars Program June 21–26, 2026. The weeklong program includes hands-on engineering projects, lab tours, and mentorship from engineering professionals—all costs and transportation included. Applications are due March 1, 2026 (rolling).

Are your students ready to move from being passive tech users to the next generation of AI leaders? The Day of AI USA Festival is a nationwide celebration that invites K-12 students to showcase their creativity and vision for a future powered by responsible artificial intelligence. Through a series of exciting competitions in visual arts, performing arts, and civics, students can share how they would use AI to solve real-world problems and build a better world. Top participants may even win an all-expenses-paid trip to MIT in July 2026 to present their work on a national stage!