PreK-12 Strategic Investments in STEM Career Exposure

The PreK-12 Strategic Investments for STEM Career Exposure is a partnership between MEDC and the MiSTEM Network to increase employer engagement and experiential learning around advanced manufacturing (EV, mobility, semiconductor) in Michigan classrooms.

Overview

In 2022, the MEDC Talent Solutions division launched a public-private model called the Talent Action Team (TAT) to grow the talent pipeline to make Michigan the top choice for businesses by promoting key industries as a great place to work, deepening diverse pools of talent, and ensuring availability of tailored, flexible education programs. These strategic investments are one of the talent solutions that MEDC offers to achieve those goals.

MEDC is partnering with MiSTEM to leverage its statewide 3P (place-, project-, problem-based) STEM strategy, regional network and programming to connect employers on the MEDC TAT to engagement opportunities with PreK-12 students and teachers. The strategic investments partnership serves as an exemplar model for the efforts to align the State of Michigan's strategic industries and supporting employer engagement, with MiSTEM's statewide strategy, which emphasizes authentic and experiential learning models. 

Eligible Applicants

  • Intermediate School Districts (ISD)
  • Local Education Agency (LEA)
  • Public-school academy (PSA)
  • 501©3 community-based organization serving an ISD(s), LEA(s), or PSA(s).

Applicants must be able to partner directly with at least one of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Talent Action Team core employers and their local MiSTEM Region. See Appendix A for a full list of participating employers.

To view the full RFP or to apply, visit the LEO EGrAMS Website, click on “See Current Grants”, then on the “SISC-2024” grant, and click “user document” tab to find the RFP document and other documents that are needed.

Objectives of Partnership:

This grant aims to expand educational opportunities to build competitive, cross-industry talent for the future of advanced manufacturing in Michigan, guided by industry input on priority roles, needed skills and direct engagement opportunities, and inspire youth to become the future workforce in Michigan’s advanced manufacturing sectors through industry awareness and career exposure programming and experiences.  

MiSTEM in partnership with MEDC is requesting applications about the cost of resources required to develop or scale in-classroom and/or extracurricular 3P STEM learning programs that incorporate industry awareness and career exposure in support of priority roles and skills needs of TAT employers.  
 
MEDC is seeking programmatic solutions to the following goals aligned upon with industry:   

  • Build more diverse pathways for job seekers by raising awareness of the EV, mobility and/or semiconductor sectors within the broader advanced manufacturing industry at a young age and increasing access to existing or future relevant education opportunities, 
  • Develop professional learning programs for educators that train in industry skills profiles and occupational needs to infuse subject-matter confidence for teachers to incorporate industry awareness and career exposure lessons in their 3P STEM curriculum, and 
  • Connect Michigan students to learning opportunities and industry leaders in the EV, mobility, or semiconductor sectors.  

See here for an overview of the priority roles definitions and skill profiles for EV/Mobility and Semiconductor training pathways.

This program is looking to make strategic investments in:

  1. Acceleration or scaling of existing 3P STEM educational programs or
  2. Development and launching of new 3P STEM programs that provide students in grades PK-8 with age-appropriate, hands-on and/or interactive learning that supports increased industry awareness and exposure to career opportunities in EV/Mobility and Semiconductor industry sectors.

These programs will incorporate local employer engagement and participation that could include “near-peer” learning and bringing industry representatives into schools, site visits or tours of local employers (in-person or virtual), lesson plans and units that incorporate hands-on and interactive skills building tied to industry skills.  

Performance outcomes should be included in the workplan section of the application. During the Agreement, the successful applicant shall demonstrate measurable progress toward achievement of the outcomes.  

  • Employers engaged in in-classroom and/or extracurricular learning with students 
  • Students engaged in industry awareness and career exposure programming (looking for an increase in student inclusion and participation) 
  • Diversification of students interested in STEM careers, particularly in EV/Mobility and Semiconductor career pathways 
  • Educator professional learning (looking for increased skills and confidence in deploying industry-relevant content tied to existing standards and curricula or 3P pedagogies) 

Application and Deadline

  • A pre-application conference will be held to discuss this funding opportunity and provide instruction on using the EGrAMS system. The pre-application conference will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, beginning at 10:00 am EDT, and will last approximately 90 minutes.
  • Any questions concerning the content of this RFP must be sent via email to [email protected] by Thursday, June 6, 2024 by 4:00 pm EDT. All answers to questions submitted by this deadline will be posted here by Tuesday, June 11, 2024.
  • Grant applications for PreK-12 Strategic Investments in STEM Career Exposure – Round 1 RFP must be submitted electronically through the LEO EGrAMS Website by 3:00 p.m, Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

 

APPLY HERE

 

Webinar and Questions

A pre-application conference will be held on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The link to the webinar is available in the RFP. At the conclusion of the conference, a link will be posted on this page to access the recording of this webinar.

Any questions concerning the content of this RFP must be sent via email to [email protected] by Thursday, June 6, 2024 by 4:00 p.m. EDT. All relevant questions and answers as well as any other clarifications or revisions to the initial RFP will be posted by Tuesday, June 11, 2024, on the LEO EGrAMS Website.