Kalamazoo RESA (KRESA), through its Southwest MiSTEM program, hosted an Education Day at the Kalamazoo Growlers' 2024 Education Days. Held at Homer Stryker Field, the event featured a STEM Expo with projects from local businesses. This annual event provides hands-on learning experiences for third to sixth graders. Over multiple days, with 3,100 students attending on May 28 and 29, and an additional 1,200 students on June 3.
At the STEM Expo, students interacted with exhibits from local businesses, exploring various STEM fields through exciting projects. Activities included opportunities to explore vehicles and machinery up close, and interactive booths where students engaged in STEM-related activities. The event provided students with a unique opportunity to explore local STEM careers and engage in practical applications of their classroom learning.
Southwest MiSTEM is part of KRESA’s Career Connect program, which helps K-12 students plan and prepare for their future careers. Career Connect provides equitable access to career-learning resources, courses, opportunities, and experiences, developing essential employability skills, and exposing students to diverse industries. Through partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and educational institutions, Career Connect ensures its offerings align with workforce needs, preparing students for success in today's job market.
Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for being a part of the STEM Expo:
- AR Engineering
- Air Zoo
- Binder Park Zoo
- Bronson
- Civil Air Patrol
- Forensic Fluids Laboratories
- Grabowski Orthodontics
- Graphic Packaging
- Humphrey Products
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 131
- KRESA CTE Computerized Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering
- Kalamazoo Public Safety
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Kalamazoo Valley Museum
- MANN+HUMMEL USA
- Michigan DNR Law Enforcement
- Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights
- Michigan Technological University
- Stryker
About Kalamazoo RESA The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency exists to transform lives by inspiring educational excellence. It provides a continuum of educational services and support to students, families, school districts and communities across Kalamazoo County. For more information, visit kresa.org.
About Southwest MiSTEM: The MiSTEM Network is a statewide initiative enhancing STEM education through project-based learning, teacher empowerment, and business-education integration. As part of the MiSTEM network, Southwest MiSTEM aims to prepare the region’s students for future careers by providing equitable access to STEM opportunities.
