- Connect with Tech - CTC Open House - Feb. 10, 4-7 pm
Connect with Tech provides Muskegon Area students of all ages the opportunity to “connect” with each of the CTC’s career prep programs. It also provides parents and family members the chance to tour CTC classrooms and labs, speak with experienced instructors, learn about credentials, college credit opportunities, and more. Throughout the building there will be examples of student work, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities, as well as representatives from colleges and universities, trade schools, and the armed services. We hope you will consider joining us so you may see what the students do each day at the CTC.
- 8th Grade CTC Visits - May 27 - June 5. Register here! Questions? Email David at dkirksey@muskegonisd.org
- CTC Summer Career Camps - TBD
Our Career & College Readiness (CCR) Team is in place to help coach districts and provide assistance for implementing the Michigan Career Development Model (MCDM), grades K-12.
This Tip of the Month will be focusing on Target 4, providing family engagement opportunities to support career exploration!
✨6th grade - KickStart to Career - Deposit Day details!
February 6 - Deposit Day! Collect those envelopes from students!
February 13 - Our KtC Coordinator will pick up DD envelopes from your office staff.
KickStart to Career 100th day of school and halfway to graduation celebration!
February 7 - is our 100th day of school for 6th graders - celebrating 6th graders are halfway to graduation! As a reward for their dedication to savings and to motivate them to continue their financial journey, the Community Foundation is adding a $5 incentive into their KtC accounts!
KickStart to Career is a dedicated savings program designed for children, launched during their kindergarten year. Each child received an initial $50 contribution to kick-start their savings journey. This account will continue to grow throughout their K-12 education, providing a valuable foundation for future career training or college expenses. Check out their balance in PowerSchool, under the KickStart tab!
Ravenna Middle School - 6th grade
Ravenna Middle School 6th graders are taking charge of their future in the Careers elective class! This six-week program guides students through an engaging exploration of career opportunities, postsecondary learning pathways, and essential job skills. Through self-assessments and personalized goal setting, students discover their interests and create future plans. Xello Family accounts connect families to the process, creating a supportive network for career exploration. Students actively build their Xello profiles, complete four interactive Xello lessons, practice interviewing skills, and create a self-interview presentation. The course culminates with students researching a career that excites them, developing a strategic plan with actionable steps, and showcasing their vision for the future in a video presentation of their career choice. Students pictured above have completed their Careers class and received a $5 incentive reward into their KickStart to Career account from the Community Foundation for completing their Xello lessons and connecting to their Xello Family Account! Great job, Ravenna MS!
Xello Updates! Exciting things coming our way!
Xello recently hosted a webinar that was packed with exciting insights and a sneak peek at what’s ahead!
Here’s a quick recap:
Upcoming 2025 features: The Real Game, Completion Standards with Student Task List, Dashboard Feed, Scattergrams, and expanded scholarship options — we can’t wait for you to see them!
Next up for Middle School - PD offered through the MAISD - SCECH's available!
February 13, 3:30 - 5:00 pm. Embedding Xello in the Classroom: Resources and Features 6-12. Invite your teachers to join! To register, click here. SCECH's available.
MCC Fab Lab offers opportunities to get creative and explore STEAM career pathways. Introduce your students to technology that allows them to use creativity and design skills. Our goal at the Fab Lab is to expose students to advanced technology and hopefully spark a lifelong interest! Middle school is a great time to introduce students to career exploration opportunities.
Speedy Sail Cars- Can you design the fastest sail car? Use your engineering skills to build a sail car and then design a sail that will make your car go the fastest or farthest. Experiment with different sizes, shapes, and materials in this hands-on STEAM program. All participants get to take their completed sail car home with them!
- March 6th 9am-10:30am
- March 6th 11am-12:30pm
Robotics in Manufacturing- Robots are a huge resource in the world of manufacturing! Not only do they increase productivity but they also improve accuracy and keep people safe from harmful jobs. Come to the Fab Lab and learn about how robotics is used in manufacturing and build your own robotic masterpiece!
- April 3rd 9am-10:30am
- April 3rd 11am-12:30pm
- May 8th 9am-10:30am
- May 8th 11am- 12:30pm
Cost- $150 (Up to 26 students)- Invoices will be sent upon completion of your visit.
Howmet Bus Grant Opportunity- Howmet Aerospace has generously provided Muskegon STEAM learning institutes with grant money for bussing. If your school is interested in applying for the grant, please fill out the attached form and email back.
***Please also consider pairing your visit to the MCC Fab Lab with another Downtown Muskegon learning destination.
Lakeshore JA Girls Dream Fair - March 20 - 7th/8th girls STEM career exploration - Grand Haven
Wayland Carpenter and Millwright Training Facility Career Day - Thursday, April 17th from 10am -1pm. For MS & HS students. Registration information coming soon. Lunch provided.
MCC Middle School Manufacturing Day - Friday, May 2, between 9am - 2pm at MCC Sturrus Technology Center. Click here to get registered! Limited to 50 students per school!
Steam Along the Lakeshore - event in May promoted by ISD and MiStemNetwork - time/date TBD
Aviation Camp - Summer 2025 - time/date TBD
MCC Sturrus Center STEM Camp - Summer 2025 - time/date TBD
Have questions? Need resources? Please reach out! I am here to support you and your team!
Tricia Schuitema
Career Exploration Specialist, Grades 6-8
Muskegon Area ISD - Muskegon Area CTC
231.767.3628
Schedule a time to meet with me here!
Please forward this newsletter to teachers and staff in your buildings so fellow educators can "subscribe" to get monthly career exploration newsletter updates!