STEM Awareness Week 2019

STEM Awareness Week 2019

MiSTEM Network encourages districts to showcase STEM May 12-18

STEM Awareness Week!

Michigan has proclaimed the week of May 12-18 as STEM Awareness Week with a Senate Resolution on May 9 and an expected House Resolution on Tuesday, May 14. Participating in STEM activities increases engagement in education, promotes equity and supports literacy development. It also fosters technologically alert and empowered students who gain multiple ways to frame problems and transfer knowledge to new situations.

 

STEM education is not only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but also a way of learning that allows students to comprehend by doing, thinking critically and providing solutions that lead to healthy, thriving communities. STEM-based careers are among the highest-paying, fastest-growing and most influential in stimulating economic growth and innovation.

 

STEM Awareness Week is specifically timed to coincide with the pending adoption of K-12 Computer Science Standards by the Michigan State Board of Education and the May 13-20 STEM for all video showcase supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Use the link to learn more about NSF-supported innovations in STEM education and vote for your favorites! (A social media toolkit for promotion is included.)

 

Show Your Support for CS

The MiSTEM Network encourages districts to commit to integrating computer science (CS) into their curriculum as part of a quality STEM learning experience. CS is foundational for all K-12 students because it promotes problem-solving, computational thinking, collaboration and creativity. With the growing need for people in CS careers, the standards adoption will be an initial step forward.

 

You can build momentum and show support for the standards adoption by contacting the members of the State Board of Education and through a social media campaign. Share one of the sample tweets or posts below, or share your own experience. Please include #cs-mi in your social media shares.

 

Sample social media posts to show support:

• Adoption of K-12 Computer Science Standards is critical for all Michigan learners to develop foundational CS skills to solve problems and be constructive citizens #cs-mi
• K-12 Computer Science Standards – ensure equitable opportunities for ALL Michigan students #cs-mi
• I support the adoption of Michigan K-12 Computer Science Standards #cs-mi
• Computer science is a valued part of #STEM education #cs-mi, learn more at mi-coding.com

CS Standards Twitter Chat  
STEM Awareness week builds upon Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proclamation of May 6-10, 2019, as Going PRO in Michigan Signing Week to acknowledge, honor and encourage high school seniors who are pursuing postsecondary education and skills training in order to enter a career in the professional trades.

The MiSTEM Council continues its support of CS with state funds. To learn more about computer science professional learning opportunities supported through MiSTEM, visit www.mi-coding.com.

Join the MiSTEM Network, along with partners including the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning, Computer Science Teachers Association and the Career Education Planning District directors, in a Twitter chat about the computer science standards and how we can implement computer science into our curriculum. We will be using #cs-mi from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.