More young students in Char-Em ISD schools will have access to the latest technology in science, math, technology and engineering – aka STEM – thanks to a grant from the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.
The foundation awarded $7,500 toward the ISD’s Street STEM initiative, which will allow for purchase of magnetic levitation kits that are brought into schools, and additional sets for the ISD’s media center, from which teachers can check out materials for their classrooms to use.
“These magnets aren’t just really cool – they also align to the third-grade ‘forces and interactions’ science standards and will be utilized in our 14 Emmet County third-grade classrooms,” said Brandon Beltz, Char-Em ISD STEM consultant.
Beltz and the Street STEM trailer travel each school year to K-8 classrooms throughout the ISD’s service region, bringing along the latest gadgets and technology for students to use. Many times, the Street STEM mascot, Eureka, makes a surprise appearance, to the delight of students in all grades.
“Street STEM has been such a hit with students and staff in local districts and in our own Char-Em ISD classrooms,” said Jim Rummer, Director of Career and Technical Education for Char-Em. “We are so grateful for the support of organizations like the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. This grant will allow our local students to experience even more of the latest technology and equipment that will help build the skills they will need to be competitive in the future. Not only that, but they have a lot of fun while working with these special activities in their classrooms.”
The grant dollars are derived from several funds held by the foundation, including the Birchwood Outreach Fund, Circuit Controls Corporation Charitable Fund, Ted and Brenda Frey Donor Advised Fund, and the Science for the Future Fund. Learn more about Char-Em Street STEM online: https://charemisdcareertech.org/stem/
Photo caption: Street STEM mascot Eureka is pictured with 2nd graders at Sheridan Elementary School in Petoskey, during a recent class visit.