Welcome to #MSUrbanSTEM
The MSU-WIPRO STEM & Leadership Teaching Fellowship program is the culmination of the partnership between global IT giant Wipro, Chicago Public Schools, and Michigan State University's College of Education. Fellows participate in an innovative year-long integrated learning experience to build STEM teachers' capacity and empower them to lead and inspire transformative, innovative practices in urban K-12 schools.
Seventh Graders Become Jr. Neuroscientists for a Day!
Last week, The University of Chicago welcomed a group of very curious seventh graders to their campus. Alexa Freshour and her students participated in some hands-on experiments in neuroscience at the Donnelly Biological Sciences Learning Center. Students had an opportunity to visit three stations which included a...
Reflection is Powerful
Reflection is powerful, especially in the field of education. During our December 2nd gathering, our fellows took a few moments to reflect. With mirrors in hand, they gathered around a DIY floor maze created with a black shower curtain and masking tape. Using the mirrors, they worked together to reflect a laser...
#MSUrbanSTEM Participates in Hour of Code
Last week, hundreds of students all over the world participated in the annual #HourofCode. The global movement is designed to give students an opportunity to try out Computer Science Education (CSE) in the hopes it will bring a greater awareness or interest in the field. Our #MSUrbanSTEM fellows were definitely on...
Amazing STEM is Here!
Hot off the #ExpressoBookMachine press is yet another publication from our #MSUrbanSTEM fellows! Dedicated to teachers everywhere, Amazing STEM, holds 50 memorable teaching moments shared by 50 Chicago Public School teachers. The paperback versions were placed in the hands of the #MSUrbanSTEM fellows during our...
Kosko Named Honoree in Best in Education
In 2014, TheBestSchools.org established the annual Escalante-Gradillas Prize for Best in Education. Our own Michael Kosko was honored to be in the top ten, then thrilled to be named the national third place honoree. Kosko celebrates his accomplishment with a $3,000 cash prize and a $3,000 bonus for his school....
Fellows Gather at Erickson Hall for a Great Day of Collaborative Learning
Wonder strikes again! The #MSUrbanSTEM gang had a face-to-face meeting on December 3 in Spartan Territory. The bus rolled into East Lansing Friday night and showed up at Erickson Hall bright and early Saturday morning. It was a productive day filled with rich conversation, creative play and an overabundance of...
Meet the Featured Fellow…Jillian Onque
We are so fortunate to have Jillian Onque on our #MSUrbanSTEM team! Image not interactive? Click here.
Stop-Motion Videos, Memes and Quickfires Make Learning WAY More Fun!
Just imagine a classroom where students are creating stop-motion videos and memes to convey their understanding of life science! Did someone say QUICKFIRE!? Yep, imagine those too! Well, Yvonne Nevarez and her 8th grade scientists dove into these fun activities as they studied both the digestive system and the...
ImagineIT Projects Foster a Mathematical Growth Mindset
How do we foster a mathematical growth mindset for the 21st century learner? Well, there’s a few ImagineIT projects in the works that implement growth mindset strategies to improve math esteem. These creative projects are unleashing student’s inner mathematician and fostering the development of growth...
Mother + Son = MakerFaire Fun!
During the week, Angela Barrett is busy teaching seventh and eighth grade mathematics at Henry Clay Elementary School in Chicago. She also carries the full time job of being a mother! So what does a mother and son do on a Saturday afternoon? Stumble upon a MakerFaire, of course! Together, she and her son...
Where Does the Water Go? Students Go Find Out!
Many people never stop to think about where the water goes after a rain storm. Or how about water that flushes down the toilet? Well, ImagineIT projects make us think about all sorts of things! Sarah Tschaen and her sixth grade students at West Ridge Elementary School have been investigating this topic. In...
