Michigan Science Teachers Association upcoming events

2026 MSTA Partnership Program (30 Apr 2026)

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Michigan Science Teachers Association has an exciting new opportunity for science museums and other potential partners across the state.

Make a commitment to the future of your museum or organization and join the MSTA Partnership Program! Gain direct access to thousands of Michigan Science educators. Position your museum or organization as a science education destination for school groups from around the state. Establish your staff as experts in the industry. Share your thoughts, successful programs, and innovative experiments in MSTA print and digital communications pieces. Examples of other organizations are zoos, observatories, aquariums, public gardens, etc.

All these opportunities and more are yours as an MSTA Partner for the minimal investment of just $250 per year.

Partnership Program benefits include:

Company logo and link on the MSTA partnership webpage
One banner ad per year in the MSTA Monthly eNewsletter
Two article submissions per year in the MSTA Monthly eNewsletter
One article submission per year in the quarterly MSTA LINKS publication
Regular mentions on MSTA Social Media Channels
Receive regular updates and information about MSTA events and programming

Your annual commitment will see an immediate return on investment with a $50 discount off a non-profit table or booth at the MSTA Annual Conference during your first year as an MSTA Partner!

Michigan science museums and other partners have always had a forum on www.msta-mich.org to share discounts and provide special offers to MSTA members at no cost. That valuable benefit has not changed. However, we invite you to take advantage of this brand-new opportunity to join MSTA as a Partner for customized offerings and additional advantages, including promotional opportunities for your organization in the statewide science community, unprecedented access to educators, and much more. Share our vision for advancing science education in Michigan by joining the MSTA Partnership Program today!

For more information, reach out to us directly by emailing office@msta-mich.org.

Microplastics, Big Problem: Bringing the Hot Topic into your Classroom Webinar (2 Sep 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Earn 1 SCHECH credit for joining!

Title:

Microplastics, Big Problem: Bringing the Hot Topic into your Classroom

Brief description:

Looking for ways to bring hands-on microplastic lessons into the classroom? Learn about the impacts of and solutions to tackling microplastics as well as strategies for involving your students in microplastics research and activities.

Learning Outcomes:

Learn about what microplastics are and how their impact on the Great Lakes.
Learn about the different types of microplastics.
Learn about a hands-on activity that they can do with the students/audiences.

Speaker Bio:

Sabrina Deschamps is a community outreach interpreter for the Huron-Clinton Metroparks located in southeast Michigan and has over 10 years of experience in informal, place-based education. She has a passion for teaching about the Great Lakes and connecting educators with resources to share with their students.

Meaningful Making Webinar (16 Sep 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Earn 1 SCHECH credit for joining!

Title:

Meaningful Making

Brief description:

This virtual professional learning session introduces Meaningful Making, a collaborative STEM model that connects engineering, accessibility, robotics, near-to-peer mentoring, and community impact. Presenters will share the purpose and development of the model, implementation strategies, program data and outcomes, and examples of adaptive toy design as an authentic engineering challenge. A panel featuring an educator, FRC mentor, and students will provide multiple perspectives on the experience, followed by participant questions and discussion.

Learning Outcomes:

Explain how meaningful making can connect STEM learning with authentic community needs and accessibility.
Identify key components of an adaptive-toy and robotics-based learning model, including student mentoring and hands-on engineering.
Examine program data and participant perspectives to understand outcomes for students, educators, mentors, and the community.
Identify ideas and considerations for adapting or replicating elements of the model in local educational settings.

Speaker Bio:

Mark Muzzin is the MiSTEM Region 4 Director and the MSTA Region 6 Director for Oakland and Macomb, dedicated to expanding high-impact STEM education. He served as a board member, Treasurer, emcee, and keynote speaker for A Beautiful Me’s annual fundraiser, and also emceed the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionaries of the Year event. Mark’s work has been featured in state LEO and congressional DoD STEM reports for innovative, brain-based approaches to teaching and learning. He is known for creating engaging STEM experiences that empower teachers and students.

Jaimie Fons, M.S., CCC-SLP, is the Assistive Technology (AT) Consultant at Macomb ISD, leading AT, augmentative communication (AAC), and universal design for learning (UDL) initiatives in the county. Jaimie has worked for over 20 years designing inclusive instruction and collaborative solutions to maximize outcomes for all learners. Jaimie has an M.S. In Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a certified speech-language pathologist. She has experience designing, delivering, and facilitating professional learning experiences on the topics of AAC, AT, Accessibility, and UDL at local, state, and national conferences.