STEM Explorer now visiting area schools
After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, Delta College’s STEM Explorer is back on the road visiting schools throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region.
The 38-foot mobile science laboratory and creative space was created in 2014 thanks to a $4 million grant from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. Delta developed the program to connect with middle and high school students to provide information about the vast opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and math.
The STEM Explorer has visited thousands of students in 13 counties in and around the Great Lakes Bay Region: Bay, Saginaw, Arenac, Midland, Tuscola, Sanilac, Huron, Oscoda, Clare, Isabella, Gratiot, Iosco and Genesee.
Meet the New coordinator
Megan Birdwell joined Delta in December as the new STEM Explorer coordinator. Birdwell received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with dual minors in science and mathematics from Saginaw Valley State University and a master’s degree in applied science education from Michigan Technological University.
She taught seventh grade science at Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools and middle school computer science, STEM, mathematics and science for St. Charles Community Schools before joining Delta.
“There have been new activities added to the vehicle that connect back to Delta STEM programs and career opportunities,” Birdwell said. “Getting students excited about STEM and giving them exposure to different options that are in our area will hopefully intrigue more of them into pursuing high-need STEM careers in the future.”
How it's possible
Delta recently received a grant from the General Motors Global Corporate Giving program to be used to purchase equipment and materials to offer STEM Explorer modules for use in school settings.
“Delta was so pleased to be selected to receive a General Motors Community Impact Grant” said Dr. Reva Curry, vice president of Instruction and Learning Services for Delta. “Our STEM Explorer program takes state-of-the-art equipment and curriculum to the region’s middle and high schools and engages students in world-class projects.”
General Motors makes charitable contributions in communities in which the company operates. Delta was selected due to the support of two local GM Powertrain plants. In Bay City, GM Powertrain produces engine and transmission components that are used in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles; Saginaw Metal Casting Operations operates two aluminum casting processes: semi-permanent mold and precision sand.
Operation of the STEM Explorer is supported by distributions from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Science Education Endowment. Interest from the endowment helps sustain the work of the STEM Explorer in the long term, bringing investigative learning directly to students and the community.
33,000+ students and counting
The STEM Explorer team has worked with thousands of students, teachers and community members while making hundreds of school and event visits:
- 2016-2017: 7,500 students (inaugural year)
- 2017-2018: 10,000
- 2018-2019: 8,500
- 2019-2020: 3,978 (in fall semester; pandemic began in March 2020)
- 2020-2021: 3,385 (pandemic continues)
Note: Many student connections were maintained in 2020-2022, through the use of virtual STEM modules - 2021-2022: Relaunches in March