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From the Regional Math & Science Center at Grand Valley State University Winter 2026, Volume 33, Number 1
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GVSU K-12 Summer STEM Camps Comming Soon!
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STEPs - Day CampScience Technology & Engineering Preview Summer (STEPS) Camp is a day-camp preview of science, engineering and technology for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Campers manufacture and assemble a radio-controlled airplane with the assistance of counselors and volunteers. By the end of the week, the campers fly their airplanes at a sanctioned fly field, with the help of certified pilots.
Camp Details Location: Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center GVSU City Campus | Grand Rapids Dates: Week 1 is June 15-18, 2026 and Week 2 is June 22-25, 2026 Cost: $150, Scholarships available for qualifying famlies Contact: Makenzie Meyer meyerm3@gvsu.edu | (616) 331-6042, Allison Sall sallali@gvsu.edu Click here to Learn More!
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Forage 2 Farm - Day CampThis four-day immersive STEM camp will provide emerging 6th, 7th & 8th grade students with lasting experiences in foraging and sustainable agriculture. Through hands-on activities with an experienced forager & environmental educator, students gain skills in plant identification, foraging, and wildcrafting. The Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) is a student lead farm here at GVSU, where campers will meet with our farmers to learn the issues that farmers are facing such as pest control, soil nutrition, & pollination, and how technology can support solutions to these problems. Throughout camp, campers will meet industry professionals, take tours and examine what it means to follow a career in food science, agriculture, environmental science, and more! Camp Details Location: GVSU Allendale Campus Dates: June 29th - July 2nd Cost: $90, Scholarships available for qualifying famlies Contact: Jess Sudy | Regional Math & Science Center gvsurmsc@gvsu.edu Click here to Learn More!
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Advanced Manufacturing - Day Camp
This summer camp is a four-day hands-on immersive STEM experience for students entering 6th and 7th (this fall) in advanced manufacturing and careers. Students participate in a large group & smaller breakout sessions facilitated by GVSU staff, students, and industry professionals from around West Michigan. Activites include hands-on activities in CAD, 3-D Printing, Design Thinking, and Automation that will provide a glimpse into the future of the largest industry sector in Michigan.
Camp Details Location: Siedman College of Business Grand Rapids, MI Dates: TBD Cost: $150, Scholarships available for qualifying famlies Contact: Jess Sudy | Regional Math & Science Center gvsurmsc@gvsu.edu Click here to Learn More!
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STEM Opportunities for College Students & Community Members
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SCIENCE! On Tap
Feb 12th, Topic Strange Fire Indeed: Psychotropic Substances in the Religion of Ancient Israel
Science on Tap! Brings science out of the lab and into the lounge. Join Dr. Jonathan Greer, visiting professor in GVSU’s Anthropology Department, for his talk “Strange Fire Indeed: Psychotropic Substances in the Religion of Ancient Israel.”
Dr. Greer is an archaeologist and biblical scholar, Associate Director of excavations at Tel Dan, Israel, whose research explores ancient Israelite religion through archaeology and the ancient Near East. Science on Tap features a different expert and topic each month, creating space for conversation and curiosity in a relaxed setting at the SpeakEZ Lounge, complete with great food, drinks, and engaging discussion.
Location: SpeakEZ lounge 600 Monroe Ave. NW 49503 Frequency: Second Thursday of every month at 8 p.m. For more information, please contact: haleykat@gvsu.edu
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GVSU Career & Internship Fair Feb 19th, 2026 | 1pm - 5pm
GVSU Winter 2025 Career & Internship Fair DeVos Place Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A
See the schedule on our site and other events the GVSU Career Center has coming up.
Click here to learn more!
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Geography Majors, Course Alert!GPY380:Historical Geography of the Colonial Era
GPY380 "Historical Geography of the Colonial Era" is a unique Experiential learning opportunity that will take place during the 2026 Summer Session. We will travel through the mountains, spend time in the Outer Banks, and finally visit Washington, DC and some National Battlefields. Online course starts in May and the 9 days of travel will be in June.
Online Course: May 11 - June 12 Travel: June 13 - June 21 GVSU 3 Credit course All inclusive travel fee $950 Click here to learn more
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Attention International Students! Summer Engineering Experience June 22nd - July 1st 2026
Looking for a Grand adventure this summer? The Padnos College of Engineering invites you to an on-campus, residential summer camp for international undergraduate engineering students. A hands-on, design & build, project-based learning experience, paired with cultural exploration and community engagement. What a Grand difference ten days in West Michigan can make! Click Here To Learn More!
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Engineering Scholarship Program GVSU Sept 16th, 9am - 3pm
The Padnos College of Engineering received a five-year grant from the National Science Foundation to remove financial barriers and create academic support systems for students to earn engineering degrees. Over the course of the grant, 24 students who are academically talented and demonstrate financial need will receive scholarships averaging $15,000 per year for up to five years. The grant begins in January with recruitment of students who will start in the Fall 2026 semester. Once admitted into the program, students will attend a four-week residential bridge camp next summer and engage in a year-long, faculty-led program that includes collaborative technical projects and professional development workshops. Adebayo Ogundipe, dean of the Padnos College of Engineering, said the grant will provide students with financial, academic and social support throughout their degree program. "This grant will allow high-achieving students who might have thought an engineering degree was out of their reach to step into a career in which they will have an immediate impact on their communities," Ogundipe said. "I applaud the faculty members behind this grant for their work and for developing support and resources for these students."
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Upcoming Events For Teachers
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Teach For Climate Justice: Book Study Registration For Winter Sessions Now Open & Completely Free!
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Creating A Culture of Climate Justice With Subject To Climate Michigan
Free Virtual PLO Feb 2nd, 2026 | 4:30pm -6:00pmThis interactive workshop will feature a brief guided tour of the Michigan Climate Education Hub that will highlight Michigan-specific resources, teacher guides and cross-curricular connections. Participants will also explore strategies for integrating climate education into daily instruction and class routines to build justice-centered, place-based lessons that will lead students to action.
RVSP: Click here to register and learn more! Questions: Email groundswell@gvsu.edu
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Math In Action Conference! Feb 28th, 2026 | 8:00am
Math in Action presents lively and informative discussions of current issues in mathematics education while providing an opportunity for practicing Pre-K to 12 teachers, prospective teachers, curriculum directors, and college and university faculty to share ideas, concerns, and resources. The conference includes six hour-long sessions with options for each grade range in each session.
Location: In-Person (Includes Lunch), Mackinac Hall, GVSU Allendale Campus Virtual: Register here
Cost: Choices to register and early-bird registration rates (until January 30): In-Person (Includes lunch) $50 regular $40 recent college graduate: 2022 or later $30 undergraduate or graduate student $30 first time attending a Math in Action conference Online via Zoom (remote participant - only some sessions will be available online $20 online via Zoom Click here to register & learn more about Math In Action Conference!
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Thank You for Supporting the InterChange!Thank you to those who completed our survey. We will be implementing those changes in our next issue released in December 2025!
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