Science & Tech News
November 2026
Thank You!
As we enter November and the season of gratitude, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the educators who have engaged with our sessions this fall! We recently kicked off our first REMC 6 meeting and hosted an inspiring Community Connections Expo alongside our Assistive Technology team. Be sure to check out the highlights in our Expo Slide Deck.
Our K-12 Science Network launched into Ambitious Science Teaching (sponsored by MiSTEM Region 10), while our Byte-Sized Learning session brought STEM to life through literature and creating colorful sculptures. We hope you’ll join us for our upcoming winter and spring Science Network, REMC 6, and Byte-Sized Learning sessions - visit SCHED to explore opportunities and register today!
Do you know someone who should be receiving these newsletters? Add them to our BAISD/IRESA REMC Contact List.
The REMC 6 Innovation Grant is once again providing grants up to $500 each for educators to create engaging learning opportunities for students and/or families. These grants support a wide range of events—whether focused on technology, accessibility, creativity, or collaboration—that align with the REMC mission to improve teaching, learning, and equity across Michigan. Click HERE for additional information, grant requirements, and selection criteria. Apply Today! Grant applications are due by Nov 6th.
Conference registration is now open on the MACUL website (do NOT register yet if you have applied for a REMC scholarship).
Ready to transform your math classroom into an interactive learning hub? Desmos is far more than just a powerful graphing calculator—it is a dynamic platform designed to spark curiosity, deepen conceptual understanding, and foster rich classroom discourse. Register in SCHED to join us on November 13th and February 10th from 9 am - 3 pm for an engaging professional learning session designed for secondary educators. Whether you are new to Desmos or looking to solidify foundational skills, there's something for everyone!
Join REMC 6 virtually on December 9th for fast-moving, back-to-back high-impact demonstrations from leading EdTech and AT vendors. Each 30-minute session is designed to give you practical, immediate insights into tools that support student success, allowing you to discover everything from cutting-edge AAC solutions and alternative access to inclusive classroom tech. Best of all, you can enjoy complete hop-on, hop-off freedom—there is no need to stay all day, so you can simply join virtually whenever a session fits your schedule and matches your interests. Register on SCHED to receive the meeting link.
- 9:30 am Forward Edu
- 10:00 am Snorkl
- 10:30 am Magic School
- 12:00 pm Kami
- 12:30 pm Learning Blade
- 1:00 pm Learn 360
- 1:30 pm 21 Things 4 Students
- 2:00 pm Glint
Want your registered PD sessions from SCHED to automatically appear on your Google Calendar? Just follow these easy steps. Once connected, your SCHED sessions will appear right on your Google Calendar, making it easy to keep all of your professional learning in one place!
- Log in to SCHED
- Select "My Schedule"
- Click "Calendar"
- Scroll to "Calendar Sync" for Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar
- Under "Google Calendar," select "My Schedule"
- When prompted, click "Add"
Join educational leaders and researchers at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, MI, on November 23–24 for the MERA Fall 2026 Conference. Day 1 features an in-depth Michigan Virtual workshop focused on the practical, ethical, and strategic use of AI in education, while Day 2 covers responsible AI leadership, Michigan’s K–12 Reading Law, MI School Data, state legislative updates, and OEAA assessment insights. Special group lodging rates are available using booking code 1449WJ—note that buyers can adjust the new registration system's optional donation field to $0 prior to checkout. Reserve your spot today on the MERA Fall Conference Registration page.
Join science educators from across the state for the 74th MSTA Annual Conference at the Radisson in Downtown Kalamazoo on March 5–6, 2027. Centered around the theme "Every reaction needs a catalyst. Every classroom needs a community," the event features hands-on labs, grade-level sessions, and practical tools for implementing new standards and educational technology. Educators can also earn SCECH credits, attend the annual awards dinner, and connect with peers across all science disciplines. Registration and speaker proposal submissions are now open on the MSTA Annual Conference page.
Scholarships are available for classroom and pre-service teachers to cover up to two days of conference registration plus a one-year MSTA membership. Submit your application by December 4, 2026, via the MSTA Scholarship Application Link.
Learn how to provide a safer laboratory experience for your high school and middle school science students at this FREE professional learning opportunity with Genesee ISD on November 20th. This year's professional learning opportunity will inform you about everything from PPE to testing of eyewash stations and more through the lens of guidance documents created to help districts build their Hazard Communication and Chemical Hygiene Plans. High School and Middle School Science Teachers and Administrators are encouraged to attend. Register HERE.
Subscribe to receive the MDE Science Newsletter directly to your inbox each month.
Sphero invites you to apply for Michigan's Robotics Competition Grant (Section 99h) through Sphero's TEAM Alliance, covering Sphero robots, competition registration, and up to $1,500 in coaching stipends per building. Rookie and Veteran team funding is available. Schools that already have Sphero robots can add teams or cover registration and supplies. For funding amounts, eligibility details, and a sample spending plan to share with your district, see our one-page guide.
Here's how to get started:
Register your team with TEAM Alliance. You'll need your official team number before applying.
- Secure a sponsor and a 25% match.
- Apply in NexSys by December 1 at noon. Your district's grant contact submits the application.
Square One Education Network, a Michigan-based nonprofit with over 30 years of experience, offers engaging K–12 STEM opportunities for educators and students. Teachers can build practical skills through affordable Square One Professional Learning Workshops. For students, Square One's Innovative Vehicle Design (IVD) challenges feature engineering projects in drones, underwater robotics, and autonomous vehicles. All six IVD competition programs are eligible for funding through the MDE 99h Competitive Robotics Grant Program. Visit the Square One STEM Competitions Page to explore opportunities today!
Recognize exceptional K–12 science educators in your district through the Shell Science Teaching Awards, which honor teachers who positively impact their students and communities through exemplary classroom instruction. The primary Shell Science Teaching Award provides one winner with $10,000, an NSTA membership, and admission to the Spring 2027 NSTA National Conference. Additionally, the Shell Urban Science Educators Development Award offers targeted professional learning support for K–12 science teachers in urban settings. Submit applications or nominate a deserving colleague by December 18, 2026, on the NSTA Shell Awards page.
Bring real-world STEM to life with a monthly roundup of K–12 STEM holidays and classroom resources. Check out this month’s dates and activities to kickstart student curiosity and celebrate STEM!
November 8 - National STEM/STEAM Day
November 10 - World Science Day for Peace and Development
November 18 - GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Day
November 23 - Fibonacci Day
December 5 - World Soil Day
December 7 - 13 - Computer Science Education Week & Hour of Code/AI
December 17 - Wright Brothers Day
December 21 - Winter Solstice