Northeast MiSTEM Updates
January 2026
MSELA: Lab Safety Essentials
Join lab safety experts for an essential professional learning opportunity focused on mastering modern lab safety protocols.
This two-session virtual series is designed for educators and administrators who want to ensure a safe and compliant science learning environment or their students.
Session facilitators are NSTA Safety Advisory Board member Michael Pillay (Genesee ISD) and Chemical Hygiene Officer Wendi Vogel (Kent ISD).
Session 1
PPE & Lab Needs
February 4, 2026
3:00-4:00pm
Session 2
Chemical Storage
February 18, 2026
3:00-4:00pm
Cost:
FREE for MSELA members
$10 for non-members
Registration: Provide Code or Payment through TicketLeap
SAVE THE DATE! Sinkhole Science: Engaging Place & Problem Based
Sinkhole Science: Engaging Place & Problem Based Lessons
Workshop for teachers * Saturday, May 2, 2026 * Alpena, Michigan
Catch student interest with lessons related to Michigan sinkholes.
During this workshop you will tour a sinkhole, participate in a problem-based engineering
activity, and take away activities to address a number of Michigan educational standards.
Included will be demonstrations of ground penetrating radar, models of groundwater and
sinkholes, differences in rock properties, and a variety of educational resources.
Watch for registration information on the web site of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers
Association:
https://mesta.wildapricot.org/
This is a joint project of the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association and the
Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative.
Additional support from the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary, Lake Superior State University
Geology Department, the Michigan Karst Conservancy, the American Cave Conservation
Association, and the Michigan Geological Repository for Research & Education.
Register for a winter or spring Nature Awaits field trip
We believe that every child deserves the chance to explore nature. That's why every fourth grade class in Michigan is invited to take part in a hands-on field trip to select Michigan state parks through our Nature Awaits program.
Each field trip is a free, 90-minute educational adventure that includes additional lesson plans and resources for students, teachers and families. Plus, up to $1,000 in transportation grants are also available to help cover transportation costs for public schools.
Registration is open for winter and spring field trips, with an optional pre-field trip classroom visit also available. Of participating teachers, 99% said they would recommend this program, so be sure to reserve your trip today!
Questions? Email DNR-NatureAwaits@Michigan.gov.
DNR K-12 classroom resources
Looking for some outdoor education resources for yourself, your classroom or your students? We have you covered!
Our Salmon in the Classroom program helps hundreds of third through 12th grade classrooms across the state to raise, learn from and release young Chinook salmon in approved waterways. Find out more about the program and apply for the 2026-2027 school year at Michigan.gov/SIC.
- Designed for students in grades six through 12, each Nature Glance features a brief article, discussion questions and various hands-on activities. Our latest lesson focuses on the reintroduction of the Arctic grayling to Michigan, but you can find additional lessons online.
- Who doesn't love a free coloring page? Check out our state symbol collection, with pages about white-tailed deer and brook trout.
- Explore Michigan with our curated collection of free nature books and field guides. Topics range from local wildlife to native plants and outdoor adventures!
- The Michigan Activity Pass program allows you to use your public library card to "check out" free or discounted passes to hundreds of cultural destinations, parks, campgrounds and recreation areas.
- The Michigan Student Sustainability Summit is an opportunity for middle and high school students across Michigan to connect with peers, learn about the state’s environmental sustainability efforts, network with state leaders and community partners, and celebrate the impact of youth-led stewardship projects. Through interactive breakout sessions, field experiences and exhibits, participants will explore environmental career pathways, develop place-based projects and engage with experts on Michigan’s air, water, land, energy and ecosystem services. Space is limited and registration opens Jan. 19, 2026.
- The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy invites students in kindergarten through 5th grade to enter the annual Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest! Prizes are awarded for first and second place winners in each grade. Use the online submission form to submit posters by March 16, 2026.
Summer Teachers Courses on Lake Guardian!
One of the most popular summer teacher courses takes place aboard the EPA research vessel Lake Guardian. Each year, educators spend a week aboard, working alongside scientists during the Shipboard Science Immersion—an unforgettable, hands-on experience focused on Great Lakes science, stewardship, and experiential learning. Take a moment to read this blog about the 2025 sail, and be sure to save the date for the 2026 Lake Superior experience!
Register Today! Code.org CS Fundamentals Workshops (K-5) and CS Connections!
The CSforMichigan Collaborative is excited to offer Code.org workshops in:
- CS Fundamentals (K–5)
- CS Connections & Maker Micro:bits (K–8)
These virtual workshops are free for all Michigan educators and are funded through MiSTEM Advisory Council grants.
No prior computer science experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and readiness to learn!
Register today to gain access to high-quality professional learning in computer science.
Code.org: CS Fundamentals Intro Workshop (Kdg-5 & MS)
Computer Science Fundamentals is a Code.org curriculum designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5). Each grade-level unit is between 12-20 lessons long and is 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. Middle School teachers can also use this curriculum for students that have no prior experience with CS.
New Series: CS Connections & Maker(Micro:bits): (3-8)
The CS Connections Online workshops is a three-part virtual series that supports educators implementing CS into their elementary classrooms. Facilitators will model skilled-based lessons so teachers can integrate them into their core instructional time. The educators will also be able to plan, reflect, and modify lessons. Educators can attend any one of the four workshops or they can attend all four workshops.
Sign up today for a series that works best with your schedule and share this information with your colleagues.
Dates: See Registration Flyer for date options and registration links
Times: 4:30pm - 6:30pm ET
Location: Virtual
Cost: Registration Covered by MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grants
What is Provided: Teaching Resources, SCECHs and a stipend
For more information about CS Fundamentals Workshops, check out website: https://www.mi-coding.com/cs-fundamentals.html
Workshop Goals
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 can be used as an avenue for getting CS to all students.
- What CS courses look like (lesson plans, online activities, unplugged activities).
- Which courses and lessons of CS are most appropriate for their students.
At the end of the workshop, teachers will have:
- A plan of action for starting to teach CS and integrate CS Connections into their classroom
- Long(er) term goals about how deep into the course they would like to go with students.
- Strategies for teaching CS lessons.
- A connection to the community of CS teachers.
SCECHs & Stipends
Participants will receive SCECHs at no cost along with a stipend at the completion of the workshop series. Stipends are provided by the MiSTEM Network through the MiSTEM Network Advisory Council grant awarded to Grand Valley State University (GVSU). Stipends are paid out through GVSU.
2026 Place Based Education Regional Networking Meeting
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Your school, your community organization, and YOU are invited to join and participate in the annual, youth education-focused Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NEMIGLSI) Regional Network Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th, 2026, hosted in Alpena, Michigan.
This year's meeting will focus on teamwork and how administrators can support place-based stewardship education within their school systems. With that in mind, we encourage you to not come alone. Invite a colleague, a fellow teacher, community partner, or school administrator to join the fun and join you in your place-based education journey!
Plan to:
- Gain educational updates, information and resources in support of your stewardship education programs and efforts.
- Network, share, and trade lessons learned with participating NEMIGLSI network partners and teachers; a chance to connect with educators and community partners from around our region.
- Contribute in planning the future direction for your regional NEMIGLSI network. Your opportunity to provide input and guidance about how GLSI can better support place-based education programming in northeast Michigan!
No cost to participate and lunch is provided. We only request you please pre-register, as this helps us plan for meals and educational materials provided.
Need help justifying your attendance? We've got you covered! Here's a customizable justification letter.
Is Fish Food or a Natural Resource?? Why it Matters.
Join in on a lively discussion and tasty cooking demonstration to celebrate a shared love for Michigan fresh fish on Saturday, January 24 at 4pm at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Michigan.
This free event will feature a panel of aquaculture experts from Michigan Sea Grant and explore Michigan’s public values of fish using the “4 Fs of Fish:”
- FOOD
- FINANCES
- FUN
- FUNCTION
In other words, fish can provide value as food for human consumption, can provide finances through economic benefits or business opportunities, can provide fun with recreational and tourism opportunities, and can function within nature to provide ecosystem services.
3P Learning Academy for CTE Teachers
Learn how 3-P engages students in authentic and rigorous learning, improves engagement and motivation, and increases achievement.
Build your own 3-P unit with support from our facilitators and collaboration with other educators Become an Expert
Learn how to facilitate exceptional 3- PL in your school.
Receive support and feedback, collaborate with colleagues, and leave with a plan.
Maker Highlight - Critical Thinking with Tabletop Games
Integrating tabletop games into the classroom can help provide diverse methodologies to create high-quality, engaging learning environments for Michigan's preK-12 students. The game strategies help build critical thinking and collaboration skills essential to college and career readiness. Most importantly, your students will have fun while learning! REMC has also created "game cards" that include 21st-century skills learned/reinforced, number of players, recommended age, and more. Explore what games are available HERE.
Square One Education Network’s Innovative Vehicle Design Competitions are coming to the Upper Peninsula in 2026!
Please join us May 19 -21 at Lake Superior State University for an exciting few days of innovation!
Student teams will be competing in five of Square One’s IVD Challenges; Autonomous, Full
Scale, Mini RC, Drones and V2X. Square One’s “Signature Series” of projects enable elementary through high school students to incorporate innovation and engineering into the design of a wide variety of complex vehicles.
Grant funding from the State of Michigan is available, through the 99h grant program.
Exact competition dates for each program will depend on team counts, and will be announced by Jan 31st, 2026.
If you would like to register a team or learn more about the IVD programs, please visit
www.ivdinfo.org or contact Jason Beatty, Program Director at jason@squareonenetwork.org
Note: Upper Peninsula Underwater IVD teams will compete in Gaylord, as in 2025
Girls Who Code’s Pathways summer program!
Pathways is a free, virtual program that empowers high school girls and non-binary students of all experience levels — including rising 9th graders, graduating seniors, and returning participants — to explore AI, Game Design, Cybersecurity, and more, while learning how to build tech for good. The program is entirely flexible in how participants choose to learn and requires no prior coding experience. Students complete courses at their own pace over seven weeks, from June 29 to August 14.
Beyond coding, students gain real-world insights through Partner Events with leading tech organizations, connect with peers through Girls Who Code’s private Discord community, and join optional Student Hours for live support. Participants earn a certificate for each completed course and join Girls Who Code’s lifelong alumni network, gaining access to mentorship, internships, and career opportunities in tech.
Students can apply by February 25th for priority consideration. The application closes on April 10th.
