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.
Our #MSUrbanSTEM Fellows are Leading the Way!
Three Cohorts later, our fellows continue to lead the way! Since the #MSUrbanSTEM experience, thirty one of our fellows have transitioned into new leadership roles. Impressive! Marianna Jennings from Cohort Two recently reminisced about her #MSUrbanSTEM experience. She feels that the program really pushed her...
Robots and Lollipops = STEM LOVE
What do robots and lollipops have in common? They were both part of an extra special Valentine’s Day activity for a few of our #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellows. Michael Kosko and Marianna Jennings added some extra STEM fun to their lesson plans on February 14th. The STEM Specialists in Michael...
Featured #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellow: Gretchen Brinza
Sustainability Fellow: Gretchen Brinza Bio: Gretchen Brinza is a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at Alcott College Prep. She is also both an author and pilot teacher for the Next Generation Science Storylines Project. This past fall, Gretchen was honored as the 2017 Illinois STEM Educator of the Year (K-5)...
Featured #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellow: Melinet Ellison
Sustainability Fellow: Melinet Ellison Bio: Melinet Ellison has 9 years of classroom experience in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). She is a CPS graduate and CPS parent. She currently teaches at Daniel S. Wentworth School of Excellence & Innovation located on the southside of Chicago in the heart of the Englewood...
Tasha Henderson Leads Robotics Team to State Competition
Tasha Henderson led her ALL GIRLS Robotics team to the state competition for the second year in a row. Yes, all girls! These young ladies dominated at the regional level, which led them to the state competition. The First Lego League’s annual challenge was to solve a global water issue. Henderson’s...
Kimlona Brown Leads Hands-On Professional Development
#MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability fellow, Kimlona Brown recently held an exciting workshop for her fellow co-workers. Plickers is a simple tool that allows teachers to collect real-time data without the need for individual student devices. Teachers can then individual instruction with instant feedback. Brown was...
Featured #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellow: Michael Kosko
Sustainability Fellow: Michael Kosko Bio: Michael Kosko is STEM Initiatives Manager for Chicago Public Schools and a doctoral students in Urban Education Leadership at University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a Google for Education Certified Innovator and an educator collaborator for Science Friday. In his free time...
One STEM Chicago is Back!
Michael Kosko has returned to #MSUrbanSTEM as a Sustainability Fellow. Kosko has a very special way of bringing STEM to life and spreading the love for STEM all over Chicago. Last year, he launched One STEM Chicago, which allows classrooms all over the city to participate in a common STEM lesson. Lessons can be...
Featured #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellow: Tracy Barrientos
Sustainability Fellow: Tracy Barrientos Bio: Tracy Barrientos currently teaches 7th grade Life Science at Dr. Jorge Prieto Math & Science Academy located in the Belmont-Craigin neighborhood of Chicago. She earned her Master’s in Education from University of Illinois-Chicago in 2001. She loves...
Featured #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellow: Donna Figenshu
Sustainability Fellow: Donna Figenshu Bio: Donna is a chemistry and physics teacher at Walter Payton College Prep High School. She is also the coach of both the girls basketball team and the Science Olympiad team at her school. Donna graduated from York College of Pennsylvania majoring in Secondary...
Featured #MSUrbanSTEM Sustainability Fellow: Al Lang
Sustainability Fellow: Al Lang Bio: Al Lang is a 7th grade science teacher at Armstrong school, a large elementary school on Chicago’s north side. This is only the second school he has worked in, and Al enjoys every day there. His goal is to become more prescriptive in his teaching, while raising student engagement...