Science & Tech News

We hope your spring break was restful and that you’re feeling recharged for the final stretch of the school year. It was wonderful to see so many of you at the MACUL conference last month - be sure to browse our slideshow of conference resources to catch up on any sessions you may have missed.

We’re keeping the momentum going with our "Assistive Eats and Ed Tech Treats" vendor session featuring School AI, a Byte Sized Learning on Notebook LM, and a handy Tech Tip for streamlining your calendar invites. You’ll also find information on applying for MACUL Grants, entering the REMC Podcast Challenge, and a look ahead at several summer professional learning opportunities. We hope these resources provide some fresh inspiration as you wrap up the school year!

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At our last Assistive Eats & Ed Tech Treats, we enjoyed meeting with Cengage to learn more about the National Geographic Explore platform and various accessibility and differentiation features included. If you missed it, check out the recording HERE or access a free trial at https://nglsync.cengage.com/review/SGAB (Password: Explore26).

It's not too late to Register for our last session of the school year! Grab your lunch and join us virtually on April 28th from 11:00–11:30 AM for a session with School AI!

Missed one of the previous sessions? Watch the recordings!

3Dux Design

Befitting You

Square One Education Network

Novel Effect

Cengage/National Geographic Learning

Our last Byte-Sized Learning Session for this school year is on May 14th from 4:00–6:00 PM at W.H. Ales in Bay City! Join us for an interactive session exploring NotebookLM, Google’s AI-powered research and writing assistant. Unlike traditional AI, NotebookLM is grounded in the specific documents you provide, allowing you to generate instant summaries, brainstorm lesson ideas, and even create podcasts based on your own materials. Please register here if you plan to attend. We hope to see you there!

Michigan teachers of grades 5–12 are invited to showcase their students' creativity in the REMC Podcast Challenge! To participate, students can work individually or in groups to produce an original 2–5 minute podcast on any topic—from local history and community debates to personal stories. Submissions are open now through October 31, 2026, and offer a chance to win professional audio gear, including podcasting kits and Yeti microphones for your classroom.

Ignite student creativity with Clixos, the flexible magnetic tiles available for checkout through REMC 6. These versatile STEM tools allow students to click, snap, and fold flat shapes into any 3D creation imaginable, from animals and airplanes to wearable crowns. Perfect for play-based learning, these lightweight and durable tiles are a fantastic way to support spatial reasoning and fine motor skills in any classroom!

Stop wasting those first five minutes of every meeting hunting through your inbox for an agenda or a slide deck. By attaching your materials directly to a Google Calendar event, you ensure that every attendee has exactly what they need when they need it. Here's how to do it!

1. Create/open a calendar event and click the pencil icon to edit.

2. In the event details, look for the description box and click the paperclip icon (Add attachment).

3. Select files from your Google Drive & then Save the event.

4. If prompted, click Share to ensure all your invited guests have permission to view the files.

Secondary educators are invited to join the final 2026 cohort of this virtual workshop series focused on culturally responsive teaching and the CRCS framework. Running on April 13, 20, and May 4, this free program provides practical tools to design inclusive lessons and foster equitable CS environments. Participants who complete all three sessions will receive free SCECHs and a $150 stipend provided by the MiSTEM Network. Register now for the CS Equity Workshop!

Engage your students in local environmental issues through the Great Lakes Watershed Field Course (GLWFC), a FREE professional development opportunity led by the Inland Seas Education Association. This program kicks off with an in-person workshop in Suttons Bay from August 4–7, 2026, followed by a year of support as you facilitate a watershed-focused action project with your students. Learn more and apply HERE.

• Perks: Up to 30 SCECHs, a $300 mini-grant for your project, and a scholarship to bring your students to Suttons Bay for a Schoolship program.

• Who: Formal and non-formal educators of all subjects & grade levels in the Great Lakes region.

• Deadline: Apply by April 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Celebrate Earth Day (April 22) with interactive BrainVentures from the University of Michigan's Center for Digital Curricula, featuring NGSS-aligned digital roadmaps for grades K–8. These ready-to-use lessons allow students to investigate environmental solutions and explore the future of electric mobility, including school buses and drones. Simply browse the Roadmap Library to download your own copies and discover how these "all-in-one" digital tools can transform your science and career exploration units! Explore the Roadmap Library HERE.

Spring is a great time to learn new skills! REMC courses can help you enhance student engagement and technology integration skills immediately into your classroom. Courses are self-paced and offer 10 FREE SCECHs. REMC instructors offer multiple live support sessions to help you get the most out of your learning and set you up for success. May courses include AI Prompting, Integrating Technology in K-5, Storytelling to Enhance Teaching, Cybersecurity, Media Creation, Student-Centered Personalized Learning, and more!

Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 29th, each course begins on Monday, May 4th.

Get ahead of your summer planning with FETC Replay, a free digital event on April 30 designed to move past the AI hype and focus on real-world implementation. This curated experience features "TechShareLive!" demos from industry experts like Adam Bellow and Leslie Fisher, along with deep dives into how AI is reshaping literacy and durable human skills. Whether you attend live or watch on-demand, all registrants are entered to win a pass to FETC 2027 (Future of Educational Technology) in Orlando! Sign Up for the free FETC Replay HERE!

The Genesee ISD is offering this FREE professional learning opportunity on June 1, 2026. The training will discuss everything from the range from guidance in creating a Chemical Hygiene Plan and Hazard Communication Plan to proper storage, documentation, use of chemicals in middle and high school. Information provided includes, but is not limited to, student Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that meet the required standard, Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documentation for chemicals on site, testing and documentation of eyewash and chemical showers, and chemicals not permitted in schools. Register HERE.

The 2025 MACUL Grant cycle is officially open and offers a fantastic opportunity to secure funding for innovative classroom technology. These grants are designed to support replicable, tech-focused projects that transform student learning and help you explore new instructional models. Beyond the funding for equipment and materials, winners receive the chance to share their success stories and participate in future MACUL events. Ensure your membership is current and dive into the grant application worksheet to start planning your proposal today! Applications are due June 15th and more information can be found HERE.

Next Grad offers high schools a free, modern solution for sharing essential college and career information through digital displays placed in high-traffic areas. These screens provide students with easy access to information about diverse post-secondary paths, including college applications, scholarships, career opportunities, and military options. It’s a cost-free partnership designed to help school counselors streamline communication while keeping students engaged and informed about their future during their daily transitions. Learn more about Next Grad High School Partnerships HERE.

The full K–5 curriculum for OpenSciEd Elementary is now officially available, providing a coherent path for students to engage in authentic scientific practices from kindergarten through fifth grade. This curriculum shifts the classroom focus from simply learning about science to actually doing it, using real-world phenomena to spark student curiosity. By prioritizing sensemaking and inquiry, the program ensures that student questions are what drive the direction of each unit.