Welcome to #MSUrbanSTEM


The MSU-WIPRO STEM & Leadership Teaching Fellowship program is the culmination of the partnership between global IT giant Wipro, Chicago Public Schools, and Michigan State University's College of Education. Fellows participate in an innovative year-long integrated learning experience to build STEM teachers' capacity and empower them to lead and inspire transformative, innovative practices in urban K-12 schools.

Teacher Feature: Preston Lewis Recognized for Outstanding STEM Instruction

Preston Lewis is a STEM coordinator at James Wadsworth STEM School in Chicago.  He was recently recognized by Chicago Public Schools for his passion and dedication to STEM instruction.  He was particularly acknowledged for nurturing a strong love for STEM among his students. Ronetta Wards, assistant principal...

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Tasia Pena Hopes to Improve Attention Skills With Use of EEG Headsets

Mind power…the idea of controlling things with your mind is simply fascinating. Tasia Pena and her students are in the beginning phase of trying out the phenomenon! She recently received full funding for two NueroSky Mindwave mobile headsets and two Bluetooth connectors thanks to a successful Donors Choose...

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Manny Acevedo Named Teacher of the Month by Future Goals STEM Organization

The #MSUrbanSTEM family would like to congratulate Manny Acevedo on being named Teacher of the Month by Future Goals, an organization sponsored by NHL and NHL Player’s Association. The organization is on a mission to energize and motivate today’s student to love Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math...

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STEM Students Design Life Jackets to Save a Sinking Barbie!

STEM students to the rescue!  Tracy Iammartino‘s eighth graders recently participated in a fun activity where they had to design (and re-design!) life jackets in order to save Barbie!   The idea came from a lesson included in a book published by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).  The...

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Kyle Radcliff and APPLE Team Up For Some Rock and Roll FUN!

A big part of Kyle Radcliff’s ImagineIT project focuses on improving the art of making student work visible.  He wants his students to have various ways to show and share their understanding.  Recently, the perfect opportunity arose.  He and his class were presented with a chance to partner up with the...

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Fostering a Technological Mindset

Think about technology. Look around you…through a technological lens. Technology is all around us and it’s not just computers!  Juven Macias is a K-8 Technology Education Teacher at Hawthorne Scholastic Academy.  He is on a quest to develop a technological mindset among his students through a wonder...

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Sushma Lohitsa Receives $3750 Grant!

We absolutely love grants!  Congratulations to Sushma Lohitsa!  She was just awarded a $3,750.00 grant for her school.  The grant is funded by The Exelon Foundation, ComED, BP, Nicor Gas, People’s Gas, and North Shore Gas.  Energizing Student Potential, is a STEM-focused energy program for grades 5–8....

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A Bulletin Board with a Purpose-An Interactive Opportunity for Students Schoolwide

All schools have them.  All teachers spend hours decorating them. Bulletin boards canvas our school walls. They can be colorful, informative, seasonal, and notable.  However, Daphne Moore has a very unique bulletin board outside her classroom doors.  It is totally interactive and very student friendly! The bulletin...

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Caution! Quickfires are Spreading!

This past summer, our fellowship spent nearly two weeks together to kick off the start of a new #MSUrbanSTEM adventure. They were soon introduced to a fun and energized activity called a Quickfire Challenge.  These challenges were usually led by instructor Candace Marcotte, who always brings a ton of energy to...

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Katleya Healy’s ImagineIT Project Zooms in on Global Issues

Katleya Healy admits her students aren’t very fond of math.  They have expressed that math is hard and boring.  They often shut down when problem solving gets too tough. Well, there’s an awesome project to the rescue! Katleya Healy’s ImagineIT project zooms in on helping her students learn (and...

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Thomas Sherlock Encourages Teaching and Learning through Mobile Apps

BYOD or not?  Hot topic.  A lot of our students have cell phones, and as Thomas Sherlock agrees…they aren’t going away. So he is embracing it and trying out a few new things. Sherlock is a science, mathematics and engineering teacher at George W. Tilton Elementary School. He has an interesting...

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The M in STEM-Persevering When Problem Solving Gets Tough

Science, Technology, Engineering and MATH.  These are all vital components in the wave of new education that’s preparing our 21st century students for the future.  There are a few Chicago educators that are bringing the M in STEM to life…big time!  Jeff Erickson is a fifth grade teacher at Alfred Nobel...

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