MiSTEM Updates for Region 13
February 11th, 2024
Sarah Roche has been appointed as the new Regional Director of MiSTEM Region 13. She brings a wealth of experience in education and STEM initiatives. In her new role, Sarah will lead efforts to convene and connect stakeholders in our seven county region. She plans to strengthen and expand STEM partnerships between business, industry, and education in our local communities. Roche is passionate about building strong relationships, fostering innovation and providing students with the tools and opportunities to succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math. Her leadership aims to enhance collaboration among schools, businesses, and communities to drive future growth in STEM education and workforce development. Welcome, Sarah!
Nancy Olenchek is a Kingsley High School science teacher. Read about the exciting new project she's working on below!
Eight Advancing Scientific Research (ASR) courses will debut next year, four offered at the high school level and four at NMC. High school instructors from Cadillac to the Mackinac Bridge have been invited to participate, with a stipend funded by the NMC Foundation. These pioneer instructors will receive training in February, and NMC will host its first Science Symposium in April. The effort is being led by NMC biology instructor Nick Roster, chemistry instructor Nicole Speelman, and Kingsley High School science teacher Nancy Olenchek. A former NMC success coach, Olenchek started a high school research class at Kingsley last year. Through a teacher training organization, she connected her students with mentors at universities like Stanford and Cornell. But in addition to the prestige, Olencheck wanted students to be able to earn college credit. Enter NMC’s Roster, who last year launched a research project on microplastics contamination with his NMC students. “They’re doing college level research, no doubt,” he said of Olenchek’s students, citing one who is using fruit fly larva to research generational alcoholism. "It's only fair for these students, if they’re doing this work, to have it transcribed (as credit),” he said. Stay tuned for more information as the program gets underway! Full Story
Charlevoix Middle High School
Teacher: Hannah Morgan, Introduction to Python Coding Course
The grant funding has allowed 56 students to write 3443 computer programs across an estimated 18,000 lines of code. They have logged 145 coding hours and built 58 standalone games and web projects! This also has allowed Charlevoix Middle School to offer an advanced coding track to the 7th grade Tech class for students that show interest and promise in the STEM field.
Northport Public School
Teacher: Karen Trolenberg, Elementary STEM Lab
Northport Public School has implemented an elementary STEM lab this year. The lab is a place for K-5 teachers to bring their students to engage in hands on STEM related activities. Having a dedicated STEM space also makes it much easier to tackle long term or messy projects. Karen Trolenberg, the STEM lab facilitator, is responsible for procuring and organizing lab equipment and supplies, collaborating with the teachers regarding projects and activities. The MiSTEM mini grant that NPS received allowed for the purchase of equipment and supplies to get this new program off to a great start!
Traverse City Central High School
Teacher: Mitch Heethius, Headsets & Equipment
The MiSTEM grant covered headsets for PCs and equipment / software to record tutorials for Intro to Coding and Game Design at Traverse City Central High School. The course covers introductory concepts of coding and logic using Python. Students begin with programs, text-based games, and then 2-D games using PyGame. The class also dabbles in pixel art, level design, and world building. They hope to create some 3-D games in Unity next.
Boyne City Middle School
Teacher: Molly Hamilla, Construction Corner Updates
Molly Hamilla shared, "We have been loving the updates to the 'Construction Corner' in our Innovations class! We were in desperate need of some updates to this station. Those updates included 2 LEGO walls, 500+ KEVA planks, more LEGOS, Gravitraxs, Magnatiles, Open Project STEM kits, and a rug so students could sit comfortably on the ground while constructing creations!"
Petoskey High School
Teacher: Anna Walker, Virtual Reality Technology
Petoskey High School is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking initiative to revolutionize math and science education, led by forensic science teacher Anna Walker. With funding provided by the MiSTEM Region13 Classroom Mini Grant and additional technology funding from the school district, the school is integrating virtual reality (VR) technology to create immersive, hands-on learning experiences for students.The project involves the purchase of six virtual reality headsets, which will be used alongside the VictoryXRlabs site license and science curriculum. This innovative approach will allow students to explore scientific phenomena, and participate in dynamic CSI simulations that bring lessons to life while fostering deeper understanding and enthusiasm for STEM subjects."This is an incredible opportunity for our students," said Anna Walker. "Our goal is to empower students by bringing lessons to life in ways traditional methods can't. Virtual reality inspires curiosity, encourages critical thinking, and provides hands-on learning beyond the classroom."
The educators selected will have registration fees and a two night hotel stay covered by the MiSTEM Network. Apply today!! Parking, travel, and food will need to be covered by the individual or their school district. Interested in this offer - please complete this application!
If so, please email a brief description and photos (with proper permissions) to Sarah Roche, MiSTEM Region 13 Director at sroche@northwested.org