About the Center for Excellence in STEM Education

CMU students get an early boost in teaching

The concept for the Center for Excellence in STEM Education began in 2015. Central Michigan University provided and renovated a physical space within the Education and Human Services building and brought the concept to life. This support, combined with a generous financial gift from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, enables us to support families, students, and teachers by providing high-quality STEM Education programs within the Great Lakes Bay Region. Our support takes the form of family events, summer day-camps, teacher professional development workshops, and school field trips to the CMU MakerSpace (EHS 134).

Additionally, we support the next generation of educators through the STEM Education Scholar Program. We provide K-12 students an environment full of intentional design and purposeful problem-solving activities. By directly involving STEM Education Scholars in these experiences, they gain the experience that will allow them to meaningfully challenge students with STEM opportunities in their own classrooms.

Mission

Our Center for Excellence in STEM Education (CESE) will positively impact mathematics, science, and engineering educators at all levels in Michigan and beyond through innovative partnerships, programs, and professional development opportunities.

Vision

The CESE seeks to be a leader in STEM education by:

  • Offering teacher education candidates secondary and elementary mathematics and science teacher preparation through work with our undergraduate programs, as well as supporting these students as they enter the teacher education program.
  • Offering continuing professional development opportunities including induction support and professional development for STEM educators.
  • Further developing and continuing a rigorous research agenda in STEM education through collaboration among faculty from various departments involved in STEM.
  • Offering pre-K through 12th grade STEM education enrichment programs with a focus on inquiry and/or problem-solving.
  • Providing partnerships with local, state, and/or national organizations and initiatives for the advancement and improvement of STEM education.

Science Math and Technology Center (SMTC)

The Central Michigan Science, Mathematics, Technology Center (SMTC) serves the students, teachers, and administrators of the Gratiot-Isabella RESD and the Clare-Gladwin RESD. The SMTC provides outreach services to 14 school districts, 17 private schools, and three charter schools in this four-county rural area. The SMTC is housed here at CMU and since its establishment in 1985, the Center has also served the students and faculty of our Colleges of Education and Human Services and Science and Technology.​

The mission of the Central Michigan SMTC is to promote continuous, long-term improvement in K-12 education in Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella counties. The SMTC staff strive toward the state and national goals for mathematics, science, and technology education by providing leadership, quality professional development, accelerated and enrichment opportunities for students, meaningful curriculum improvement, and resources to meet the needs of the students, teachers, parents and general public in our service region. Strong partnerships with the region's intermediate school districts and the University help achieve this goal.