STEAMz

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The selected presenters will utilize the concepts of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics – and demonstrate how the disciplines build on each other to have a societal and global impact.

Schoolcraft College students will showcase the best ways to make a difference globally during the STEAMzSchoolcraft conference later this month.

This year’s event will feature student presenters focusing on this year’s theme: Local Engagement, Global Impact. Students submitted proposals to present during the event March 29 at the Vistatech Center.  The selected presenters will utilize the concepts of STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics – and demonstrate how the disciplines build on each other to have a societal and global impact. The annual student-led conference is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Center for Experiential Learning and the Learning Support Services department.

The keynote speaker for the conference this year is Corin Tyler, a Schoolcraft College alumnus and a Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan. Tyler earned associate degrees in science and engineering, as well as a bachelor’s degree in physics from Albion College. He also served as the first STEAMz presenter while a student at Schoolcraft.

In addition to Tyler, a STEAMz Fellows panel will also highlight several students’ experiences as Schoolcraft Scholars and their plans post-graduation. Fellows participating include students Chase-Lyn Watson-Labell, Jonah Efrusy, and Noah Spicer. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College.

“STEAMz is a great experience for both our exhibitors and our guests each year,” said Christina Stansell-Weaver, Communication Arts Faculty and STEAMz Faculty Chair. “We’re excited to see what our students have to present and to welcome Corin back to campus to serve as our keynote speaker.”

Along with Stansell-Weaver, Elizabeth Kenney, Learning Center Coordinator, and Sharon Christian, Associate Dean of Student Success and Retention co-lead this effort, in addition to a large group of campus stakeholders serving as committee members. This annual event successfully brings together a cross-functional collective of faculty, staff, and leadership to facilitate this student-centered conference.

Scholarships and awards for the conference are made possible by the University of Michigan Transfer Bridges, The Garritano Family Fund, The Schoolcraft College Foundation, Schoolcraft College President’s Award, Chief Academic Officer, and the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department.

The conference takes place 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, March 29 in the Vistatech Center. Register to attend for the conference here. Registration is free and open to all students, staff, faculty and community members. Seating is limited and registration is required.

More information can be found at schoolcraft.edu/STEAMz.

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Staff, faculty help students succeed

STEAMzSchoolcraft: Bridging the Arts, Humanities, and Sciences will be held virtually this Friday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m. Previous years facilitated 26 student presentations with over 200 attendees. 

This year’s virtual summit theme is: Transforming Lives Through Storytelling. Specifically, how can we transform the world we live in through data-driven storytelling? Students will be encouraged and mentored by Schoolcraft College faculty and staff to explore this question. 

Behind the scenes, Schoolcraft College staff, faculty and leadership worked together to make this event possible. The STEAMz Committee and student mentors team comes from various departments across campus:

  • Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services, STEAMz Committee Chair
  • Elizabeth Kenney, Learning Center Coordinator
  • Olga Martinez, PTAC Program Manager
  • Emily Podwoiski, Scholars Honors Coordinator
  • Jennie Rokakis, Learning Support Services Assistant
  • Annika Sholander, Academic Success Coach for International Learning
  • Deborah Taracuk, Communication Arts Faculty
  • Katie Webber, Administrative Assistant III
  • Dr. Carmen Wilson, Academic Success Coach for Reading
  • Christopher Wood, Physics Faculty and Department Chair
young professional smiling
Students will vie for awards in a number of categories.

Selected students received a scholarship provided by a generous grant through the Schoolcraft College Foundation and will be mentored by faculty and staff to strengthen their presentation, research, and story. To align with this year’s theme, students are encouraged to combine a meaningful story with research findings to drive curiosity and inspiration with their audience.

The event will open with a welcome from Dr. Michele Kelly, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and share a special video message from Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. In addition, several faculty and staff played a key role in this year’s event. Scott Davis, Curriculum Technologist; April Harden, English Faculty; and Christina Stansell-Weaver, Communication Arts Faculty; will serve as presentation judges. Judges review all presentations and evaluate them on a series of criteria, which they later use to award students on their presentation or lightning talk. Categories students can win awards are:

  • Best Presentation
  • Best Lightning Talk
  • Out of the Box
  • Top Investigator

An additional award will be presented to the student who captivates the audience – the People’s Choice. Attendees can vote for their favorite presentation to award the presenter or lightning talk. Students who are awarded will receive an e-certificate to add to their professional portfolio.

STEAMzSchoolcraft Virtual Summit will take place this Friday, March 25, at 1: p.m. via Blackboard Collaborate. The event is free to attend – registration is not required. Visit the website and click on the “Attend STEAMzSchoolcraft” button to attend this year’s event during the designated date and time.

If you have questions, please contact Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services and STEAMzSchoolcraft Committee Chair, at [email protected]. 

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The free event will be held in a virtual format

After 26 student presentations and over 200 attendees in the past two years, STEAMzSchoolcraft, a student-led conference that bridges the arts, humanities, and sciences, returns for its third year on Friday, March 25. 

This year’s theme is “Transforming Lives Through Storytelling.” Specifically, the theme examines how to transform the world we live in through data-driven storytelling. Students will be encouraged and mentored by Schoolcraft College faculty and staff to explore this idea. The STEAMz presentations focus on ideas, findings, and experiences highlighting academic and professional successes. Presenters address specific values, skills, and experiences needed to set and achieve thoughtful and actionable goals as they transition into university life or the workforce.

Maria Cielo Robles
Cielo Robles, a Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program alumni and medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, will deliver this year’s keynote presentation.

Cielo Robles, a Schoolcraft Scholars Honors Program alumni and medical student at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, will deliver this year’s keynote presentation. Prior to MSU, she conducted cardiovascular health disparities research at the University of Michigan and pediatric neurosurgery clinical research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, New York). 

Robles has led multiple NIH*-funded substudies, published multiple co-authored papers, including first-author publications, and presented her work at numerous national conferences. She received an Associate of Science degree from Schoolcraft College in 2014. She was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and transferred to Cornell University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, Health and Society in 2016. 

The event also will feature in-depth and lightning talk presentations facilitated by Schoolcraft College students. Selected students received a scholarship provided by a generous grant through the Schoolcraft College Foundation and will be mentored by faculty and staff to strengthen their presentation, research, and story. To align with this year’s theme, students are encouraged to combine a meaningful story with research findings to drive curiosity and inspiration with their audience. During the event, students will be evaluated and recognized for creatively addressing this year’s theme.

STEAMzSchoolcraft Virtual Summit will take place on Friday, March 25, at 1 p.m. via Blackboard Collaborate. A link to attend can be found on the STEAMz website closer to the conference date. The event is free to attend – registration is not required. 

If you have questions, please contact Sharon Christian, Director of Learning Support Services and STEAMzSchoolcraft Committee Chair, at [email protected]. 

*NIH stands for National Institute of Health.