Creating a STEM Culture
This culture inspires, informs and mobilizes all community members toward economic and educational success.
2026 MiSTEM Playbook Grant Award Winners
Congratulations to Ypsilanti Community Schools (Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent) and Lincoln Consolidated Schools (Gregory Smith, Superintendent). This initiative will expand STEM 3P learning in both districts. The proposed model intentionally accounts for these differences while ensuring consistent access to training and support in every building. There will be a "train the trainer" model that will connect with 3P champions and help them develop increased ownership through their school. Family and community engagement will be embedded into instruction through classroom projects, exhibitions, and place-based learning experiences. Special thanks to Kelly Mickel (YCS) and Jessica Crowley (LCS) who were the writers of the application. Paula Sizemore (SEMIS) also partnered in support of the application information.
Two Districts, One Vision: A Blueprint for Scaling 3P STEM Education
Lincoln Consolidated Schools (LCS) and Ypsilanti Community Schools (YCS) are using a MISTEM grant to transform STEM education. This initiative will scale up their successful but isolated 3P (project, problem, and place-based) learning programs into a coherent, district-wide system that engages every student and teacher from Pre-K to 12th grade.
The Strategy: Building a Sustainable 3P Model
From Pockets of Practice to District-Wide Excellence
The goal is to scale 3P pedagogy into a core instructional practice for all students.
Empowering Educators with a "Train-the-Trainer" Model
Each school will select 2-3 "3P Champions" to receive intensive training and lead coaching for their peers.
Powered by Strategic Community Partnerships
The project leverages expertise from SEMIS, Toyota, WISD and the EMU STEM Education Institute.
The Impact: Timeline & Reach
Project Implementation Roadmap: 2026-2028
A phased rollout ensures sustainable growth and deep implementation across both districts.
"3P learning is really where instruction needs to be moving. It helps engage students - especially those who are hardest to reach." Richard Roe, CTE Teacher, Lincoln High School
Students impacted ~7,479 (PK-12)
Educators Trained ~350-400
Total Schools 17
Have a CTE Signing Day for Your District!
Athletes are the only ones who can have signing days! Career and Technical Education (CTE) Signing Day events celebrate students who are committing to continue their education in technical programs that lead directly to high-demand careers. Modeled after athletic and college signing ceremonies, these events publicly recognize students as they take the next step toward skilled professions, while bringing together educators, families, industry partners, and community leaders to celebrate the value of career-connected learning.
Through support from a grant funded by the ECMC Foundation, participating institutions can receive materials designed to help elevate the visibility and impact of their event. Grant resources may include branded tablecloths, pens, school supplies, and other promotional items that help create a professional, celebratory atmosphere while reinforcing the importance of CTE pathways.
CTE Signing Day events also provide a unique opportunity for employer engagement. Local industry partners are encouraged to participate by attending ceremonies, connecting with future talent, and demonstrating their commitment to workforce development. To further amplify employer involvement, all CTE Signing Day activities will be promoted through the social media channels of both the ECMC Foundation and the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), providing national visibility for participating institutions and industry partners who support the next generation of skilled professionals.
Together, these events highlight the power of CTE (STEM) to transform lives, strengthen local economies, and ensure that students are recognized for choosing pathways that lead to meaningful careers.
To learn more, either reach out to me at dwalker@washtenawisd.org or you can contact my colleague Christian L Zimmerman, M.Ed. Assistant Director of Programs Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities (FCSUA). Chris is the Vice Chair of Policy-SEPSEA and Vice President-Elect ACTE PACE Division. He is also an ECMC Grant Recipient. His contact information is (407) 823-1093 or christian.zimmerman@ucf.edu.