Gazette fiel photo Amelia Talaga, 5, of Duluth, Minnesota, tries to make a foil boat that will float in water during at the 2024 Western U.P. STEM Fair and Festival.

LANSING — In November 2015 the State Board of Education adopted the Michigan K-12 Science Standards. These standards, aligned to research put forth in A Framework for K-12 Science Education, set out to change science teaching, learning, and assessment across the state. Michigan’s 3-dimensional science standards braid together science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. The resulting vision has shifted science education to one that centers exploration, sensemaking, and doing the work of scientists and engineers.

Share Your Story!

This year marks a decade since the adoption of Michigan’s science standards–and they want to hear from you. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, student, or community partner, your experiences matter. How have the standards shaped science teaching, learning, and assessment for you? What do you hope science education will look like in the next 10 years? Share your story and help us celebrate the progress, challenges, and impact of the past 10 years. Look for story spotlights in future newsletters.

Elementary School (Grades K-5)

Earth Day Poster Contest: The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy invites students in kindergarten through 5th grade to enter the annual Michigan Earth Day Poster Contest! Prizes are awarded for 1st and 2nd place winners in each grade. Use the online submission form to submit posters by March 16, 2026.

Flight Path Navigator Graphing Game (Grades K-4): Did you know that data from NOAA and NASA’s Joint Polar Satellite System & satellites helps pilots plan their flight paths? In a new game from the JPSS team, players use graphing to plot a safe flight path, including take-off and landing, for an airplane. The beginning concepts of graphing are explored as young learners plan routes to avoid clouds, ice, turbulence, and other obstacles.

Conservation Classroom Virtual School Programs: From Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Conservation Classroom is a free, virtual program that provides monthly lessons designed for K-5 students. Its structure is deceptively simple: four steps–Wonder, Engage, Act, Connect–delivered through videos, live webinars, activities, and career spotlights.

SubjectToClimate – Earth Cubs Resources (Early Childhood – 5) :SubjectToClimate has partnered with Earth Cubs to feature resources designed just for elementary and early childhood classrooms. With stories, videos, and playful activities, you can help students understand that they have the power to make a difference, no matter their age. Be sure to check out the standards filter feature for alignment to science, social studies, and ELA.

The Integration of Climate and Real-Time Weather Data into Teaching Weather, Climate, and the Water Cycle (Grades 3 – 8): The widespread availability of real-time weather and climate data in many formats offer unique and powerful opportunities for teachers to go beyond textbooks. In these workshops teachers will learn where they can access such data, how to interpret it and how it can be integrated into their teaching. Hands-on activities, all with a strong age-appropriate math emphasis, will be distributed that will support foundation building in third grade as well as more advanced concepts for middle schools. Review additional session details and contact Amy Lilienfeld at amy@circleofillumination.com to schedule district or regional session ($250-$350, depending on number of participants).

Middle/High School (Grades 6-12)

2026 Michigan Student Sustainability Summit (6-12): The Michigan Student Sustainability Summit is a unique opportunity for middle and high school students across Michigan to connect with peers, learn about the state’s environmental sustainability efforts, network with state leaders and community partners, and celebrate the impact of youth-led stewardship projects. Through interactive breakout sessions, field experiences, and exhibits, participants will explore environmental career pathways, develop place-based projects, and engage with experts on Michigan’s air, water, land, energy, and ecosystem services. Space is limited and registration opens Jan. 19, 2026.

Environmental Service Award Nominations (Grades 6 – 12) Nominate a student, group, or class for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Environmental Service Award, which recognizes exceptional environmental projects completed by youth in grades 6-12. Two projects will be awarded a cash prize and certificate of achievement: one in grades 6-8, and one in grades 9-12. The award nomination form will be open online between Jan. 1 – March 15.

Aquaculture Challenge (Grades 8 – 12): The Michigan Sea Grant-led Aquaculture Challenge engages students in STEM learning, innovation, and career development by developing aquaponics systems and business plans. Michigan Sea Grant staff provide start-up guidance and resources for coaches before the competition cycle begins each January. Registration Deadline: Jan. 14.

The Integration of Climate and Real-Time Weather Data into Teaching Weather, Climate, and the Water Cycle (Grades 3 – 8): The widespread availability of real-time weather and climate data in many formats offer unique and powerful opportunities for teachers to go beyond textbooks. In these workshops teachers will learn where they can access such data, how to interpret it and how it can be integrated into their teaching. Hands-on activities, all with a strong age-appropriate math emphasis, will be distributed that will support foundation building in third grade as well as more advanced concepts for middle schools. Review additional session details and contact Amy Lilienfeld at amy@circleofillumination.com to schedule district or regional session ($250-$350, depending on number of participants).

World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest (Grades 6 – 12): The World of 8 Billion Student Video Contest invites middle and high school students worldwide to take on the challenge of creating a 60-second video that explains how population growth affects one of this year’s three global topics and presents a creative, sustainable solution. Over 80 student winners will receive up to $1,200 in cash prizes. Mini grant opportunities for educators. Student submissions are due March 4, 2026.

There are also numerous opportunities for high school students and educators. For the full list, visit https://www.michigan.gov/mde