What’s New
The Michigan STEM Partnership and Southeast Michigan STEM Alliance work to identify needed development initiatives through its network and work-committee structure that encompass cross sector representation and input. These initiatives focus on system development, curriculum, training/instructional resources, and support for staff development and implementation. Below are some of the current and previous initiatives fostered by these efforts.
State and Regional Initiatives
Thirteen STEM eLabs Open in Southeast Michigan School Districts
The Michigan STEM Partnership and the Southeast Michigan STEM Alliance shared in a project that brought 13 VW (Volkswagen) eLabs two suburban Detroit school districts. These labs provide students access to state-of-the-art digital fabrication labs that transform learning and empower students to "make almost anything."
The new labs are filled with equipment like 3D printers, laser cutters and robotics systems, is courtesy of a partnership between the Public Education Foundation and Volkswagen Group of America.
The partnership invested $1.8 million in 13 innovation labs in two suburban Detroit school districts, Birmingham and Southfield Public Schools. Birmingham schools will have nine labs, and Southfield will have four. The "e" of "eSTEM" designates a specific focus on projects aimed at environmental sustainability.
The unique learning model in the VW eLabs offers hands-on experience with emergent technologies such as renewable energy, robotics, and 3D printing, while elevating student development of Essential Skills like problem solving and communication.
Funds provided for the purchase of equipment, room modifications, technology, staff training, and ongoing staff support. Labs opened this semester and were marked with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 21, 2025.
Learn how the VW eLabs provide personalized learning experiences for students
For more information visit: Press Release
Past Regional Initiatives
Our goal is to positively impact economic development by bridging gaps in today’s STEM curriculum and fostering relationships between schools, businesses, parents, and students.
Previous Grants Include:
- Taking STEM Outside – MI Tech Center for Science and Environmental Outreach
- Earn While You Learn – Six County Employment Alliance, Escanaba
- Generation of Energy – Western UP Michigan Works, Hancock
- Summer Mathematics and Science Camp – Saginaw Valley State University
- Get’M (Girls Entering Technology & Multimedia) – Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center
- Lego We Do Robotics – Midland County 4-H
- Making Technology Creators Out of Consumers – Shepherd Middle School
- WeDo STEM – Arenac County MSU Extension 4-H
- Citizen Scientist – Chippewa Nature Center & Midland Middle Schools
- Strengthening STEM – Otsego Public Schools
- Heating Up: Solar Cooking Competition – Great Lakes Renewable Energy Assn / Rockford Public Schools
- Integrating STEM in Step Up – Hope College Center for STEM Inquiry
- Creating, Collaborating, and Celebrating Elementary STEM Robotics – Banger Township Schools
- STEM K-6 Outreach: Nasr Museum Dinosaur Exhibit and Prep Lab – St. Clair Community College
- STEMNETICS – Genesee STEM Academy
- Robotics and Coding Computer Programming – Mecosta-Osceola ISD
- Shipwreck Discover: Discovering the Future Through the Past – Alpena Public Schools
- Geometry in Construction – Sault Area Career Tech Center
- Keweenaw Science and Engineering Festival – Keweenaw MSC
- Capital Area STEM Geekend Weekends – Ingham ISD
- Brick Elementary School Maker Space – Brick Elementary Ypsilanti
- Coding for Kids – Mason Lake Mathematics & Science Center
- Recruiting Engineers for Aquaculture Automation – Lake Superior State
Why STEM Education Matters
By the early 2030s, the U.S. is projected to face a significant workforce gap. According to the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, from 2024 through 2032 the nation will need an additional 5.25 million workers with education and training beyond high school, including 4.5 million who will need at least a bachelor’s degree. Georgetown also projects an annual shortage of nearly 712,000 certificates and associate’s degrees aligned with high-paying middle-skills occupations through at least 2032, with the largest gaps occurring in blue-collar, management and professional office, STEM, and protective services roles.
To address this, stakeholders must collaborate to expand and improve STEM education and training in Michigan. The Michigan STEM Partnership aims to be a leading resource in the state to facilitate these critical relationships.
Promote STEM Information
STEM Information
We at the Michigan STEM Partnership seek to utilize this website as the 'go-to asset' for anyone seeking information on organizations, initiatives, resources, and programs for STEM. These assets may include: training, events, career info, organizations, educational requirements (by states, by school districts, by businesses), or other information to enable access to guidance for students, parents, and teachers, as well as encourage participation by students in STEM training and STEM careers.
Create Awareness of STEM
Promote STEM Events
STEM Events
The Michigan STEM Partnership will serve as a resource for listings of local, state, and national STEM events of which we are aware. If you know of a STEM event that you believe our audience will have interest in, please email information to stemnewsmi@gmail.com or complete the form below.
Submit an event HERE
Request MI STEM Partnership at Your Event
Interested in having the MI STEM Partnership participate in your event? Please submit information about your event so we may consider the opportunity.
STEM Affiliations
STEM Learning Ecosystems
The Michigan STEM Partnership's Southeast Michigan STEM Alliance was selected to join the STEM Learning Ecosystems national initiative in 2017. We are one of 120+ regional ecosystems located in 43 states and 8 countries. The selection was based on our demonstrated commitment to cross-sector collaborations in schools and beyond the classroom - in after-school and summer programs, at home, with local business and industry partners, and in science centers, libraries and other places both virtual and physical. Learn more about STEM Learning Ecosystems at STEMecosystems.org.
Conduct Research
MI STEM Partnership Original Research
Primary research pending