STEM Pipeline Blog / March 15, 2023

Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Ecosystem Launches STEM Staycation Promotions in Partnership with Go Great Lakes Bay & the Mt. Pleasant Area CVB

FREELAND, MICHIGAN, March 13, 2023 – A series of STEM-based adventures are kicking off soon in the Great Lakes Bay Region, aimed at getting families and kids engaged in local out-of-school-time learning activities during seasonal and holiday breaks. Organized by the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Pipeline in collaboration with Go Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Mt. Pleasant CVB, this is a dynamic resource for parents, teachers and caregivers to access information about STEM-based activities and events in the region.

The first in the series, the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport Staycation starts with a spring break promotion on March 25 and runs until April 9. Additional dates for summer and winter events will be announced in the coming months. There will be prizes available for visiting any of the 30 participating organizations on the STEM Passport.

In addition, there will be three opportunities this season for free entry on the following dates:

  • Central Michigan University Center for Excellence in STEM Education’s MicroCamp: Cranky Contraptions on March 25th from 9:00-12:00 p.m. CMU is offering free entry for 10 families. Participants must pre-register and use the code ‘Passport’ for free entry.
  • Midland Center for the Arts: 50 free entries when you mention STEM Pipeline on March 28 + 29
  • Bay County Historical Museum + Delta Kids/Michigan Learning Channel: Free entry on April 3rd from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and April 5th from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

“Family engagement in a child’s education is critical to building the foundation for lifelong learning. The Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport is intended to support families with mobile and community-based resources by connecting to organizations that offer science, technology, engineering, arts, and math learning activities for children,” said Rich Van Tol, the Out-of-School Time Network lead for the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Ecosystem. “We hope that families will enjoy the STEM Passport this spring break season with STEM Staycation, take the opportunity to check out a free event and explore the incredible array of rich learning experiences available across our region.”

Prizes for the spring round of the STEM Staycation will include:

  • First Place: A free hotel stay at Hampton Inn in Mt. Pleasant, MI (restrictions apply)
  • Second Place: A $50 gift card for any DRI Restaurants location (Old City Hall, Molasses, Tavern 101, and Drift)
  • Third Place: Four (4) tickets to the Midland Center for the Arts IFF STEM Exhibit / Midland County Historical Society

“We are excited to team up and showcase all the available STEM learning opportunities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region for those who are staying local for spring break or may be visiting from out of town,” said Annette Rummel, CEO of Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau.

To participate and be eligible for prizes, must visit a desired location listed below, post a picture on Facebook (marked as public visibility), and tag STEM Pipeline (@STEMPipeline) to be counted.

The STEM Passport includes activities at the following locations:

  • Arenac Community Center, Standish
  • Bay City State Recreation Area, Bay City
  • Bay County Library System:
    • Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
    • Auburn Area Branch Library, Auburn
    • Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning
    • Historical Sage Library, Bay City
    • Bookmobile & Outreach Services
  • The Historical Museum of Bay County, Bay City
  • Beal City Public Schools
  • Beaverton Activity Center, Gladwin
  • Castle Museum of Saginaw County, Saginaw
  • Chippewa Nature Center, Midland
  • Clare-Gladwin RESD SPARKS after school program
  • CMU Center for Excellence in STEM Education, Mt. Pleasant
  • Delta College Planetarium, Bay City
  • Delta Kids / Michigan Learning Channel
  • Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational STEM Center, Midland (seasonal)
  • Forest Hills Nature Center, Alma
  • Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, Saginaw
  • Midland Center for the Arts, Midland
  • Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum, Saginaw
  • MSU St. Andrews STEAM – STEAM Education & Research Center, Midland
  • Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum, Mt. Pleasant
  • Saginaw Children’s Zoo, Saginaw
  • Saginaw ISD – Hartley Outdoor Education Center, St. Charles
  • Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge / Green Point Nature Center, Saginaw
  • Saginaw STEM
  • STEM@SVSU, Saginaw
  • T.A. Cutler Memorial Library, St. Louis
  • YMCA Camp Timbers, Saginaw/West Branch

Launched in 2018, the Great Lakes Bay Region STEM Passport is a learning resource for 30 different hands-on, dynamic STEM activities in the community. To date, the STEM Passport has reached over 100,000 students, fueling the next generation’s curiosity and involvement in STEM activities. Now in its fourth iteration, the resource brings details on STEM activities in an easy-to-use calendar that supports further STEM exploration and learning amongst youth during out-of-school time. The calendar of events can be found on www.stempipeline.com so users can readily find event information while exploring the region.

About the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance

The mission of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is to encourage, support and celebrate regional collaboration and initiatives that will improve the economic vitality and quality of life in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance is comprised of 40+ board members who represent various organizations across Bay, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw Counties.

More information is available at https://www.greatlakesbay.com/


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