STEM Pipeline Blog / June 6, 2021

CMU STEM Opportunities for Summer and Beyond

The Center for Excellence in STEM Education is eager for our first summer ever offering a combination of on-campus, online, and on-location STEM camps. This past year has provided more challenges and opportunities for rethinking and reimagining how to not only maintain, but improve the caliber and format of programming we are able to offer.

K-8 Students and Families

Have WE got a camp for YOU! 

From coding, catapults, and creating with LEGOs to overarching topics surrounding art, nature, and problem-solving visit our website to find detailed descriptions, dates, and registration links. By offering a variety of camp formats, we are able to keep camp cohorts small which will help as we follow current COVID-19 safety guidelines and university recommendations.

One camp in particular — Build a Better Book — combines the creativity and problem-solving of making with the authentic need for accessible materials for those who are blind or have low vision. As part of the Build a Better Book network out of the University of Colorado Boulder, we are eager to combine new ideas and technology with familiar approaches as students create tactile graphics or games, or create interactive or audio enhancements for print or digital texts. Middle school students – submit your application today! 

Asynchronous Experience and Online Invitations

New this summer, we have prepared a collection of four asynchronous activities that include a one-page information sheet with a scannable QR code to an invitation video as well as materials for engaging in the experiences at your convenience! Once registered, materials will be available for pick-up on campus in Mt. Pleasant at the end of June.

Interested in other opportunities for creating at home? Check out this YouTube playlist of Weekly Invitations that you can complete at home with simple materials. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for updates and new invitations to make throughout the summer!

K-12 Schools and Teachers

Summer Professional Learning Opportunities! 

As part of our on-going mission, we aim to provide high-quality programming for schools and teachers in addition to hands-on experiences directly for students. See below for a sneak peek at two opportunities and find detailed information and registration links on this page of our website. 

Belle Isle PBL2

July 25 – 28

Spend 3 full days learning about place-based and project-based (PBL2) education at the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservancy with additional resources and activities including ongoing support as you develop and implement a PBL2 unit.

Moving Science

August 10 – 12

Connect what you are currently teaching with activities inspired by research based on the relationship between brain cognition and human movement. This workshop is designed to engage K- 5 teachers in developing lesson plans to combine movement with varying disciplines.

Bring Chief Science Officers to YOUR school!

We are also launching a Chief Science Officers (CSO) program for middle and high school students in Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella counties. Through this initiative, student CSOs and staff CSO Mentors have the opportunity to develop as STEM leaders and make a direct impact in their local community through student-led and staff-facilitated projects. Interested in learning more, contact Ashley O’Neil at biede1aj@cmich.edu.

**The Center for Excellence in STEM Education is a participant in the STEM Passport.  Visit and attend (virtual or in-person) events and receive a $25 gift card courtesy of MiSTEM.  Learn more: https://www.stempipeline.com/out-of-school-time/stem-passport-2020-2021/