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.

Bridging the STEM Connection Across Grade Levels

Anna McGowan is a K-8 STEM Teacher at Sauganash Elementary School in Chicago.  Her students recently participated in a unit of study on bridges. With their studies, they learned about tension and compression. As a culminating activity, STEM students of all ages began to build! The task was to design and fabricate...

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Candace Marcotte is STEM-tastic!

Candace Marcotte is a salsa-dancing, guitar-playing, STEM-loving educator who is passionate about delivering today’s instruction with 21st century style. Candace has a one of a kind, contagious excitement for education.  Her energy is infectious! Candace is currently a Technology Facilitator at Springman...

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Meet the Featured Fellow-Beverly Keane

Introducing…Beverly Keane, our next Featured Fellow.  Beverly is a very dedicated educator who energetically believes in the power of GREEN! Beverly’s strong love for gardening led her to apply for a grant dedicated to developing new green spaces in urban areas. The grant allowed her to create a play...

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The Roots of STEM: Lesson Plans by Teachers, For Teachers

The MSU-WIPRO fellows have published their very own book, which is primarily tailored for K-12 educators in the STEM field.  The final product, titled Roots of STEM, is a perfect example of collaborative effort, hard work, reflective practice and the creation of a concrete, authentic product that is worth sharing....

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A Field Trip Made for Tinkering

Tasha Henderson describes herself as a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics geek! She is a STEM coordinator for Chicago Public Schools, implementing  STEM based activities to kindergarten through fourth grades at Sir Miles Davis Magnet Academy. She recently presented her second graders with a BIG challenge...

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Leadership Elements Are All Around Us

A new semester is underway and the fellows are focusing on leadership.  The assignment began in a familiar, comfortable place…a classroom, a kitchen, or even a living room.  They glanced around the room and jotted down six random items.  They grabbed their device and took pictures of each object.  The...

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A Special Classroom Visit

     Kenn Freeman is in the midst of developing a grass-roots STEM program at Spencer Technology Academy in Chicago. Recently, he and his students had some very special visitors. Guests included the FCC Commissioner, the CIO of Information Technology, and Deputy Chief of Teaching and Learning for Chicago Public...

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Meet the Featured Fellow…Kevin Cram

Introducing… Kevin Cram. Kevin is a high school honors and AP Chemistry teacher in Chicago. Kevin is in the midst of his DreamIT project which revolves around the science and engineering practice of creating and analyzing models. Kevin is a passionate and dedicated educator. We are lucky to have him on board as a...

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Middle School Students Investigate Local Environmental Issues

Chrissy Garcia is inspiring her middle school students to stand up. Investigate. Inquire. And make a difference. A sense of activism and global responsibility are being instilled in her students. How? Well, they are starting within their own community of South Deering, located on Chicago’s far southeast side. The...

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Meet the Featured Fellow…Ashley Keine

Meet our Featured Fellow! Ashley deserves to be recognized for all of her hard work and dedication. She is bringing STEM to life by providing amazing opportunities for her second grade students. In a recent interview with Ashley, her energy and passion for education was so infectious!  Read more below or visit her...

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Agents of Change

What happens when the third largest urban school district in the country teams up with the number one ranked college of education in the country? A lot apparently. The goals of the partnership are ambitious.  It is no less than creating powerful agents of change who can transform K12 education as we know it. The...

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Walking in a Spartan Wonder-Land!

The MSU campus was recently all abuzz as the 25 fellows rolled into Spartan Territory!  As Punya Mishra tweeted, it was a “wonder-ful” gathering (a day full of wonder!) The fellows arrived Friday evening. They began their instructional day early Saturday morning at Erickson Hall.  The team celebrated...

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