July 7, 2022 | Employer Talent Pipeline news from around the region
People, Planet Prosperity: The Annual Convening of STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP)
Great Lakes Bay Region STEM partners,

After nearly a year of planning and preparation, the region was incredibly honored to welcome approximately 450 international leaders in STEM for the annual convening of STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice (SLECoP) titled ‘People, Planet, Prosperity,’ on June 20-22. This year’s event was the first SLECoP meeting to take place in person since March 2020 and all we can say is that it felt good to be back!

The previous 12 annual gatherings have been held in much larger cities like Cleveland, San Antonio and Washington D.C., so we were very humbled to host the group of Ecosystems that we have been a part of for nearly a decade. Well, we can now say with resounding pride that the GLBR more than delivered as the host community!

Attendees traveled to the region from as far away as Israel, to learn and collaborate on STEM, talent and economic development. We gave them a warm welcome and over the course of three days, attendees visited and interacted all across the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Initial feedback on the conference and the community has been overwhelmingly positive and we are so thankful for all the community members and organizations who helped us pull this massive effort off! The convening featured several local speakers from our regional organizations and notably we were thrilled to show off all the region has to offer in STEM with hands-on, engaging field trips at six of our local organizations and much more.

A special thanks to our field trip hosts and those who pitched in with other events to pull this effort off, including: Claire Bunker, Pam Clark, Adrianne Cole, Julie Cunningham, Julie Dorcey, Dennis Hoeg, Emily Jaremba, Ty Jarvis, Jenn Kirts, Julie Malesky, Brian McBride, Megan Schrauben, Jessie Teeter, Rich VanTol, Chris Velasquez and the whole Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance team.

No effort has gone unnoticed, big or small. We will have more on impact in the coming days, but for now, all we want to say during this time is a great big THANK YOU for all of your hard work. We are honored to collaborate with you and call you partners in STEM. People, Planet, Prosperity was the success that it was because of your help. We only hope to repay the favor someday for each of your organizations in this work.

Catch a recap of many of the local efforts in the following video and download photos below!

In gratitude and partnership,
Lori Flippin (and the whole GLRBA team)
STEM Director, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance
You're Invited! Sustainability Happy Hour on July 13
Join us: Happy hour with the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum 

The Michigan Sustainable Business Forum – Great Lakes Bay will be hosting a Sustainability Happy Hour at Drydock Beer Garden in Bay City on Wednesday, July 13 from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm.

Join us for conversation about sustainable business and the environment. Registration is encouraged but not needed.

Beverages will be available for purchase. All are welcome.

Event Details
Date: Wednesday, July 13, 4:00 - 5:30pm
Location: Drydock Beer Garden, Bay City
Cost: This is a free event, with drinks available for purchase at Drydock Beer Garden. Registration is requested.

Chief Science Officer + Employer Talent Pipeline Spotlight
The Great Lakes Bay Region Alliance is working to connect with students from the Chief Science Officer (CSO) Program to help fuel the talent pipeline. There is tremendous benefit in linking employers in the region to our future workforce through students with STEM interests and aptitude. As students are looking to focus on a particular area of study in college or for a career choice after college, development tools like internships, mentoring, job shadows, and site tours provide valuable context to both students and employers. 

In support of this effort, over the course of the summer and fall, we are sending out CSO Spotlights to highlight these amazing students and connect our STEM talent to opportunities in the region via the Employer Talent Pipeline newsletter. CSO Spotlights include an overview of the student's background, interests and skills, opportunities desired, and past work experience to help you decide whether their interests and skills will fit what your organization has to offer. 

CSO Spotlight: Ava Nelson
Our second CSO Spotlight is on a recent CSO Alumni Ava Nelson. Ava was a part of the CSO Program for five years and will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall. At UofM, Ava will be pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Ava's availability is open from the winter onward and is willing to participate in any role offered. View and download Ava Nelson's CSO Spotlight here.

We hope you take the time and enjoy reading about the future of STEM talent in the GLBR and maybe even find your next employee right here in your backyard!

If you’re interested in learning more about the CSO Program, below are a few articles about some of the amazing things a few of the students have done.

About the Chief Science Officer Program
The Chief Science Officer Program began five years ago here in the GLBR and has provided an amazing opportunity for students in the region to not only experience STEM, but begin to educate others about it. As CSO’s, these STEM Ambassadors advocate for STEM learning and work with their team to complete an action plan within their school or community. 

Our CSOs have done some extraordinary things including: 

  • Hosting flight nights with Jack Barstow Airport; 
  • Sending STEM Kits to Africa; and 
  • Putting together Teen Science Cafes for other students to become involved in STEM

These action plans and consistent participation in STEM learning have helped shape these young minds to take on and conquer anything in their way. The CSO Program has helped students develop into vocal STEM leaders, as well as helped build their communication, teamwork, time-management, and creative skills needed for the future.

Other articles highlighting CSOs:
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