The EcoCareers Expo was created with one goal in mind: to introduce students to careers they may not typically encounter at a traditional job fair, all with a connection to natural resources. From forestry and wildlife management to environmental engineering and conservation, the exhibitors provided a hands-on look at how their work impacts our environment and community.

The response from students was incredible! Their energy, curiosity, and engagement with exhibitors were inspiring. This year’s event brought together:

• 566 8th graders
• 15 different schools
• 27 exhibitors
• 8 counties across Northeast Michigan

The EcoCareers Expo is more than just a career fair—it’s a chance for students to discover exciting career paths while learning about the critical importance of protecting and managing our natural resources. We are so proud of the students, exhibitors, and schools for making this event a huge success! Thanks Northeast MI Great Lakes Steward Initiative!!!!

MiSTEM Collaborative landing page

CS for Michigan - Expand access to, and highlight the importance of, high-quality Computer Science experiences

Michigan M in STEM - Elevating Math as the language of STEM, and as a tool for STEM exploration

Science & Engineering for Michigan - Ensure that students have Science and Engineering Literacy as a 21st century skill

Discover innovative teaching strategies, network with like-minded professionals, and recharge your passion for science education at the 2025 MSTA Annual Conference! The conference takes place March 7 - 8, 2025 in Lansing and will feature keynote speakers and interactive workshops.

NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed on NOAA surveys monitoring our nation’s fisheries, measuring physical and chemical ocean trends, and charting unknown regions of the seafloor.

Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA’s science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA’s mission to communities across the nation.

The CSforMichigan Collaborative is offering Code.org CS Fundamentals (K-5) virtual workshops at no cost for Michigan educators. CS Fundamentals workshops are provided through MiSTEM Advisory Council grants. Register today to gain access to high quality computer science professional learning. No computer science experience is required to attend.

Code.org: CS Fundamentals Intro Workshop (Kdg-5)

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.

There are virtual options to choose from throughout the year. 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

Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm ET

Cost: Registration Covered by MiSTEM Network Advisory Council Grants

What is Provided: Curriculum guide and $150 stipend

For more information about CS Fundamentals Workshops, check out http://www.mi-coding.com/cs-fundamentals-intro-registration-links.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 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 go with students.
• Strategies for teaching CS Fundamentals lessons.
• A connection to the community of CS Fundamentals teachers.

SCECHs & Stipends

Participants will receive SCECHs at no cost along with a $150 stipend at the completion of the workshop. 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.

Taught by Instructional Technology Data Specialist at AMA ESD, Ashlie O'Connor

Asynchronous Google Classroom

Topics include:

Introduction to AK

AI in Education

Ethics and Data in AI

Magic School AI

AI & Personalized Learning

AL in Curriculum

Future of AI in Education

SCECH available

Workshop Overview

Participants will receive instruction along with materials and support to design,

engineer, and build a fully functional underwater remotely operated vehicle or

ROV. Skills and activities presented in this workshop support standards in

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Design, build, and operate your Remotely Operated Vehicle under expert

guidance. Explore buoyancy, propulsion, and navigation while tackling simulated

underwater missions.

Two Day training, ideally teachers attend in pairs. Each pair builds a fully

functioning Underwater ROV to take back to school

INTRO TO ROV

WORKSHOP

When: November 1st & 2nd, 2024

Where: Handy Middle School

601 Blend St, Bay City, MI 48706

Who: Any teachers (3rd-12th grades)

interested in learning about, and building,

an Underwater Remotely Operated

Vehicle (ROV). We require that you bring

one partner (no added cost). Your partner

does not have to be a practicing teacher.

Price: $100

The Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) is developing a new career and technical education program, Career Kickstart (CK), that leads to industry credentials and college credit for all students who want career preparation. CK’s Cybersecurity pathway consists of two courses: Networking Fundamentals and Cybersecurity Fundamentals, with its second pilot year slated for the 2025-26 school year. Teachers with experience teaching networking, cybersecurity, and/or computer science are encouraged to apply by visiting www.careerkickstart.org before November 15.

The 2nd annual AI Summit is on December 17th at the Lansing Center. The keynote speaker is Ethan Mollick, Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Generative AI Lab at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he studies the effects of artificial intelligence on work and education. In addition to his research and teaching, Ethan is the Co-Director of the Generative AI Lab at Wharton, which builds prototypes and conducts research to discover how AI can help humans thrive while mitigating risks. Click here for more information.

We're thrilled to invite you and your students to join us for a week of fun and discovery

during Computer Science Education Week,

December 9th—13th! Early Registration is now open! Don't miss out on being part of the largest global event for Computer Science

Why Participate in Hour of Code? Hour of Code is a global movement dedicated to inspiring students to explore the world of computer science. It's an opportunity to introduce your students to coding, engage them in creative problem-solving, and show them that anyone can code -- regardless of their experience

Join this network of educators engaging students in STEM thinking and learning. Innovator's Mindset Book Study.

9/25 Dinner 5:00-7:30 in Grayling.

Materials and give-aways we will use through the year!

Virtual... 4:00-5:30 Zoom.

Thursday 12/5

Wednesday 2/26

Thursday 4/24

Are you ready to level up your school's programs? Join us for an exciting webinar on Esports in Education!

Taught by our local expert, Ashlie O'Conner, Instructional Tech Data Specialist at AMA ESD

3 OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND

• 11/12/24
• 1/08/24

ALL WEBINARS WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY FROM 3:30-5:30

SCECH available

Nature Awaits: Michigan's fourth grade state park field trip

Calling all fourth grade classrooms!

Nature Awaits offers a new opportunity for children to experience Michigan's outdoors. All fourth grade classrooms are eligible for a FREE experiential field trip to select state parks to support their classroom learning!

Each environmental education experience will be facilitated by trained educators focused on meeting 4th grade curriculum standards including science, social studies, physical fitness and language arts through experiential learning outdoors.
Guided by environmental literacy best practices, the program aims to make sure Michigan’s kids learn that our state parks are for everyone, and that a lifetime of spending time outdoors is good for our physical and mental health.

Four New Locations! Free State Park Field Trip (4th Grade)

Secure your free field trip spot today! With the DNR’s Nature Awaits program, every fourth-grade classroom in Michigan is eligible for a free state park field trip designed to support their classroom learning and connect them with the natural world. Each trip includes 90 minutes of hands-on learning aligned with curriculum standards in science, social studies, physical fitness and language arts. Transportation reimbursement is also covered for up to $1,000 for public schools. Don’t delay --- fall registration is already open, and trips begin in September! Learn more and register at Michigan.gov/NatureAwaits

Calling all educators who teach 5th-8th grade! We are excited to announce that registrations are open for our Fall LEGO Build the Change Institutes!

Registration information here: https://www.takeactionglobal.org/lego-build-the-change-institutes/

• Free LEGO Build the Change opportunity with focus on Learning through Play, design, and creativity

• Includes classrooms activities, webinar session for educators, and certificate

• Upcoming cohorts

• November 11-December 15

• Open to 250 educators per cohort

We anticipate these filling quickly so be sure to sign up soon if you are interested.

NEW TOUR

Innovations in Healthcare:

Amazon Pharmacy Career Tour

Students will discover how engineers and pharmacists work with robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to help customers get their medications faster and more efficiently.

• Explore careers that intersect passions for healthcare and helping others, like pharmacist, pharmacy technician, process engineer, and applied scientist.
• Play the tour on Kahoot today and inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals!

Please enjoy the October Edition of the Instructional Technology Newsletter from REMC 3.

Use this free tool to help you locate STEM grant opportunities available in your community! Funds may be used for a variety of learning activities, including technology, science and engineering kits, and makerspaces - anything that expands STEM education. Grants are supported by federal, state, and local foundations/corporations.

Local Community Foundations offer many grant opportunities for teachers and schools.

Going PRO with Professional Trades Careers in Michigan

Discover how Michigan is Going PRO with professional trades. Find rewarding careers with competitive salaries and less schooling in a variety of emerging industries. Learn how you can get started on a Professional Trades career path today.

launchgoing-pro.com

• ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS Careers related to the humanities and to the performing, visual, literary and media arts.
• BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND TECHNOLOGY Careers related to all aspects of business including accounting, business administration, finance, information processing, and marketing.
• ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY Careers related to the technologies necessary to design, develop, install, or maintain physical systems.
• HEALTH SCIENCES Careers related to the promotion of health as well as the treatment of injuries, conditions, and disease.
• HUMAN SERVICES Careers in early childhood, civil service, education, hospitality, and the social services.
• NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRISCIENCE Careers related to natural resources, agriculture, and the environment.