FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Name: Gary A. Farina, Executive Director
Michigan STEM Partnership
248-563 9902
garymistem@gmail.com
THE MICHIGAN STEM PARTNERSHIP RECEIVES GRANT FROM CONSUMERS ENERGY FOUNDATION FOR TRAINING EDUCATORS IN STEM
Consumers Energy Foundation grant will facilitate professional development training programs for teachers in order to increase availability of STEM educators in Michigan classrooms
December 13, 2016 – Howell, Michigan - The Michigan STEM Partnership, a statewide non-profit organization, has received a $24,500.00 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation to support a STEM professional development program for educators in Michigan.
The Partnership’s statewide effort to provide a staff development program will provide resources for educators to better align STEM instruction to essential skills required in critical Michigan business sectors.
Besides ensuring the delivery of STEM curriculum across multiple grade levels, the initiative will assist educators in engaging businesses in the instructional design of STEM education. Through this process, educators can better align STEM instruction to talent development needs of critical Michigan industries. The initiative will also show educators how to design in and out-of-classroom activities that relate to business environments. Funding from the Consumer Energy Foundation grant will allow for a comprehensive model design and the piloting and refinement of one or two of the model segments.
“We routinely receive requests for teacher in-service activities that provide an understanding of the definition of STEM education,” said Paul Agosta, Board Chair for the Michigan STEM Partnership. “Through this grant we will be able to design and implement an educator training program that will enable teachers to develop a continuum of STEM-based instructional activities aligned to both student interest and regional talent needs, addressing a crucial need for educators throughout the state.”
“Consumers Energy is committed to providing opportunities for the next generation of Michigan students to study science, technology, engineering and math,” said David Mengebier, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “We are pleased to help the Michigan STEM Partnership to train teachers, not only for the good of employers like us but the entire state.”
By participating in this program, educators will understand the operational elements of a process-based STEM approach and will have the skills, knowledge, and resources to engage business and industry and to ensure a direct connection between instructional outcomes with career and college preparation needs.
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About the Michigan STEM Partnership
The Michigan STEM Partnership promotes the impact of STEM careers on economic development across the State of Michigan, and strives to influence the career decisions of students as they prepare for their future. The mission is to provide statewide connections and communications between employers, educators, students and parents, community and professional organizations, and policy-makers, providing strategic support for the development of resources and programs that provide for the effectiveness and sustainability of STEM education and talent development. Partnership information is located at www.MichiganSTEMPartnership.com
About the Consumers Energy Foundation
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy, providing funds for education, community, civic and cultural development, social services, the environment, and emerging issues. In 2015, Consumers Energy, its employees, retirees, Foundation and parent company CMS Energy contributed over $6.5 million to Michigan’s nonprofit organizations.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, provides natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million Michigan residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Media contact: Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394 or brian.wheeler@cmsenergy.com
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