LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced on Monday, March 14, that Kalamazoo RESA, Grand Valley State University along with Washtenaw ISD will each be receiving about $900,000, or $2.7 million total.
The funding will go towards supporting the K-12 expansion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM education.
In a statement, Governor Whitmer said, “STEM education opportunities are critical as we prepare young Michiganders for high-tech, high-skill careers that will serve as the backbone of Michigan’s economy. These investments are critical to ensure our schools have the funds to help each and every Michigander reach their full potential. And in my budget recommendation for next year, I have proposed the biggest per-student investment ever and $1 billion for school construction and renovation so we can keep funding and building more computer labs, classrooms, and science facilities to help our kids pursue their potential.”
“Exposure to engineering and technology changed my life, and I know the role it can play in sparking imagination and molding students into leaders,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist. “Strong STEM
Approved by the Michigan STEM (MiSTEM) Advisory Council within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) and administered by the Michigan Department of Education, the grants will be awarded to:
– Kalamazoo RESA to elevate mathematics as the language of STEM and provide a tool for STEM exploration;
– Grand Valley State University to expand access to, and highlight the importance of, high-quality computer science experiences; and
– Washtenaw ISD to ensure students have science and engineering literacy as a 21st century skill.
The MiSTEM Advisory Council consists of business, higher education, K-12 education, and philanthropic leaders. It was created by the Michigan legislature in 2015 to make recommendations that will help the state become a world leader in STEM education.
For more information on the MiSTEM Advisory Council and the MiSTEM Network, visit www.michigan.gov/mistem.
