Regional Facilities for Education and Training
Technology Empowerment Center (itec)
Information Technology Empowerment Center (Lansing, MI) - "Through after school programs, workshops, and summer camps, ITEC engages youth in a variety of technology-based activities designed to enhance performance in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as improve reading and digital writing skills. These activities are consistent with research indicating that computer technology facilitates learning and performance when it supports the four fundamentals of learning:
- Active Engagement
- Participation in Groups
- Frequent Interaction and Feedback
- Connections to Real-World Contexts"
Lansing Makers Network
Lansing Makers Network (Lansing, MI) - The Lansing Makers Network (LMN) exists to bring diverse people, experiences, and ideas together in a safe environment; to meld technology, art, and culture in new and exciting ways; to share skills, tools, and inspiration; and to marvel at what we make together. It does not specifically serve youth populations at this time but they are interested in expanding that area. One of their members will be teaching a class at Foster in the Fall of 2013. LMN They do offer workshops and classes at times which may be of interest to older students. LMN also usually has a booth at the Detroit Maker Faire which is great for families.
Shop Rat Youth Education
Shop Rat (Jackson, MI) focuses on teaching youth about skilled trades. "Most schools throughout the nation have removed Shop Classes from the curriculum that taught students vital hands on skills and created interest for Skilled Trade careers. Students have lost interest in hands on hobbies as the youth of our nation are becoming more and more reliant on technology and computers and using their hands less and less. The perception of hands-on careers has been negative or "less desirable" to the youth of our nation. This negative perception is contributing to the current shortage of skilled workers and with the baby boomers beginning to retire, the skilled trades industry needs programs like this to create the next generation of skilled workers."
"In 2006, The Shop Rat Foundation began the Shop Rat Education Program, an afterschool class for local 6-10th grade students to learn how to use tools and machinery to inspire them to further their education in the skilled trade industry, and/or to become more ‘hands-on” dependent citizens. This is a fun project-based introductory course where kids build innovative and unique projects such as two-seat hovercrafts, electric wheelie cars, solar power mini cars, hydraulic robots and many more large and small projects. This provides them with the framework to understand and safely use tools and machinery, gain problem solving skills, and increase ‘hands-on’ confidence that will enable students to seek out further education in the skilled trade industry."
View the list of 2011-2012 classes available for 6th through 10th grade students
"In 2006, The Shop Rat Foundation began the Shop Rat Education Program, an afterschool class for local 6-10th grade students to learn how to use tools and machinery to inspire them to further their education in the skilled trade industry, and/or to become more ‘hands-on” dependent citizens. This is a fun project-based introductory course where kids build innovative and unique projects such as two-seat hovercrafts, electric wheelie cars, solar power mini cars, hydraulic robots and many more large and small projects. This provides them with the framework to understand and safely use tools and machinery, gain problem solving skills, and increase ‘hands-on’ confidence that will enable students to seek out further education in the skilled trade industry."
View the list of 2011-2012 classes available for 6th through 10th grade students
Robot Garage
Robot Garage ( Birmingham, MI) - " The Robot Garage opened June 1, 2011 to provide a year-round PLACE for LEGO® and robotic enthusiasts of all ages. Working closely with leaders from the robotics and education community, The Robot Garage aims to provide hands-on experiences that are as entertaining as they are educational. We have high expectations for ourselves, and great expectations for the people who participate here. We believe that by providing a place to IMAGINE DESIGN and BUILD, there is no telling who from our own communities will carry the brightest torches into the 21st Century."
Henry Ford Museum
Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, MI) - The museum offers opportunities for self-guided tours, classes, field trips, special events, and online resources that focus on the history of innovation.