West Shore ESD receives $500k for state-wide STEM education.

February 6, 2019

West Shore ESD receives $500k for state-wide STEM education.

AMBER TOWNSHIP (Mason County) — Over $3 million were awarded to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education in Michigan by the MiSTEM Advisory Council. Twenty-one awards were selected from a pool of 78 grant applications and the largest award in the state was earned by West Shore Educational Service District (WSESD), in the amount of $500,000, to support statewide efforts to bring computer science to schools using the international non-profit Code.org program.

“We are grateful for this award by the MiSTEM Advisory Council to provide any school in Michigan the opportunity to bring computer science to their students,” said West Central STEM Director Kathy Surd. “Our local schools have had great success with this program and it is a pleasure to share their success with the entire state of Michigan.  By partnering with a non-profit organization like Code.org, materials can be accessed by schools at no cost allowing for long-term sustainability of the program.”

The Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives projects over 16,000 new job openings in computer and mathematical occupations by the year 2026 [http://milmi.org/datasearch/projections].  

“Through the work of the regional superintendents association, school leaders in Oceana, Lake and Mason counties have made a commitment to preparing all students for success in career and post-high school education or training,” said Dr. Jason Jeffrey, WSESD superintendent. “This includes the development of employability skills and and technical skills including those available through the Code.org program.  We are excited to put these funds to their best use to help students achieve.”

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