12+ Days of STEM in the Great Lakes Bay
Our holiday gift to the parents of the Great Lakes Bay is 12+ days of STEM Christmas! The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance – STEM Pipeline and Great Lakes Bay Moms want to share the joy of discovering STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) by promoting the many family-friendly business located in the Great Lakes Bay, that create special programs that engage children. For this holiday season consider visiting one of these organizations and let your child develop a love for STEM!
***Reminder: Your child’s STEM passport has discounts, coupons and promotional advertisements. If you do not have a passport contact me!
On the FIRST day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
DELTA COLLEGE PLANETARIUM & LEARNING CENTER
100 Center Ave., Bay City, MI 48708
(989) 667-2260
The Delta College Planetarium inspires exploration through immersive programs and special events in its state-of-the-art Dome360 Theater. It provides both original programming and award-winning full dome productions from around the world. Themes can range from current night sky and space exploration to family science adventure and music under the stars. The facility also holds special events with hands on activities for children and families, as well as telescope viewing on its rooftop observation deck.
On the SECOND day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
CHIPPEWA NATURE CENTER
400 S Badour Rd., Midland, MI 48640
989-631-0830
Chippewa Nature Center offers FREE admission to its Visitor Center and 19 miles of trails. The Visitor Center offers a hands-on Nature Discovery Area and Ecosystem Gallery, River Overlook, Wildlife Viewing Area and more. Nature Day Camp is offered each summer, and Nature Preschool each school year. CNC offers numerous FREE programs throughout the year! Annual events include Maple Syrup Day, Fall Harvest Festival and Nature Fest (biennially) and more.
FREE: Admission to the Visitor Center & the 19 miles of trails & FREE programs throughout the year!
On the THIRD day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
MID-MICHIGAN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
315 W. Genesee Ave., Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 399-6626
From play-and-learn gallery fun to STEM-rich summer camps to hands-on field trips, your Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum was made just for kids! Open Tuesday through Saturday (plus Sundays October through May!), MMCM invites kiddos to use their curiosity and creativity to learn about the wonders of the world.
On the FORTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
CASTLE MUSEUM of Saginaw County History
500 Federal Ave., Saginaw, MI 48706
(989)752-2861
The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History offers a day full of discovery and learning for kids and adults alike. Located inside a historic French chateau-inspired landmark, the museum features three stories of exhibits and displays including, “Lumbering in Saginaw,” “Geared for Automotive,” our popular “Post Office” and a variety of rotating temporary exhibitions. Each area offers interactive and hands-on components to engage your mind, all while learning about Saginaw County’s history.
On the FIFTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
HISTORICAL MUSEUM of Bay County
321 Washington Ave., Bay City, MI 48708
989-893-5733
For a moment visualize a tree-lined path to an Anishinabe settlement or the riverbank camp of a voyageur. Gaze at a white pine or venture into a lumberjack’s camp. Come aboard the tug the Witch and explore Bay City’s ship building past…these are some of the images that will come to life when you visit the Historical Museum of Bay County. Located in a former National Guard Armory building constructed in 1910, two floors of exhibits share the distinctive heritage of Bay County from pre-contact days through the present and highlight the unique location of Bay County along the Saginaw River and Bay. The Museum also features a theater with several documentary choices.
Call for information on changing exhibits and STEM program schedules and Mornings at the Museum opportunities.
FREE: Admission
On the SIXTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
ENGINEERING FOR KIDS
324 S Saginaw Rd.
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 486-3255
At Engineering For Kids, we bring the fun of science, technology, engineering, and math education to kids, ages 4 to 14, through exciting camps, after-school activities, parties, classes, and more. Our young engineers have the opportunity to design, build, test, and refine their own creations in a safe and fun environment.
On the SEVENTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
PUBLIC LIBRARIES OF SAGINAW
HOYT MAIN LIBRARY
505 Janes Ave, Saginaw, MI 48607
(989) 755-0904
BUTMAN-FISH LIBRARY
1716 Hancock St, Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 799-9160
WICKES LIBRARY
1713 Hess Ave, Saginaw, MI 48601
(989) 752-3821
ZAUEL LIBRARY
3100 N Center Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603
(989) 799-2771
The Public Libraries of Saginaw have a variety of STEM/STEAM programs at all four of our branches throughout Saginaw. Our programs are FREE and dates and times vary.
FREE: Kids and family programs
On the EIGTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
MT. PLEASANT DISCOVERY MUSEUM
5093 E. Remus Rd.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
(989) 317-3221
The Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum’s mission is to enhance the community by inspiring creativity, learning, and curiosity. Our exhibits offer a child-centered, inquiry-based setting for children ages 0-10 to play and learn. We also provide regular STEM programming including our summer camps, Science Sundays, and special events. Find out more by visiting
On the NINTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
BAY COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
WIRT PUBLIC LIBRARY
500 Center Ave., Bay City
SAGE BRANCH
100 E. Midland St., Bay City
AUBURN AREA BRANCH
235 W. Midland Rd., Auburn
PINCONNING BRANCH
218 Kaiser St., Pinconning
Bay County Library System offers many FREE events and programs, plus a multitude of online resources for all ages. From Story time to STEM programs like coding, Lego club, and family engineering, BCLS encourages a love of learning and literacy in children and their families.
FREE: Kid and Family Programs
On the TENTH day of Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
MIDLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
1801 W St Andrews Rd.
Midland, MI 48640
(989) 631-5930
Engage, explore and connect with your family in this multi-level art and science hands-on museum that features new and exciting exhibits including a Light Bright Wall, a Young Explorers Preschool area (children ages 5 and under), and permanent invention space: Spark!Lab® Smithsonian.
On the ELEVENTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
SNAPOLOGY OF THE TRI-CITY AREA
989-315-7750
Snapology is a new learning concept that combines play with education. We provide a fun, interactive environment for children to learn science, technology, engineering, art math, robotics and video game design concepts using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and technology. We do this through after school enrichment programs, summer camps, workshops, birthday parties, scouting events, field trips, play dates, creative play and custom events! Our programs are designed for children ages 2-14 and are inclusive.
On the TWELTH day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
MIDLAND SECTION OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
The Midland Section of ACS offers FREE hands-on science activities at events like River Days, Kids Day at the Midland Mall, and the Great Lakes Bay STEM Festival. We also do FREE teacher workshops and other events/classroom presentations. In 2019, we will celebrate our 100th anniversary–our first section Chair was Herbert H. Dow. PLEASE VISIT our FREE History Exhibit (and look for related Outreach activities and special programs) at the Herbert D. Doan History Center (Midland Historical Society, 989-631-5930 x1310, 3417 W. Main St, Midland) May through December 2019, or request a tour for your school group. For information about Midland ACS, contact Michelle [email protected] or Gina at [email protected].
FREE: Hands-on science activities at events like River Days, Kids Day at the Midland Mall, and the Great Lakes Bay STEM Festival
A BONUS day of STEM Christmas the Great Lakes Bay gave to me:
MATH IN THE MAIL
Saginaw, MI
Math in the Mail develops math skills in three-year-olds by providing the tools needed for parents/caregivers to help their child learn at home through play. Funded by the Dow Corning Foundation, it is a collaboration between the Bay-Arenac ISD, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Gratiot-Isabella RESD, Midland ESA, and the Saginaw ISD.Math in the Mail is part of a focus to prepare our students for K-12 STEM experiences and careers in the Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan. Low-cost to subscribe.
FREE for families living in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella,
Midland or Saginaw counties with household incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guideline.
STEM AT SVSU
7400 Bay Rd.
University Center, MI 48710
(989) 964-4058
The STEM Center at Saginaw Valley State University links K-12 schools, university, and regional employers in order to develop a STEM talent pipeline that meets the current and future needs of the Great Lakes Bay Region. STEM@ SVSU offers a wide variety of school year and summer STEM programs for K-12 students and teachers, including the Chief Science Officers, the Dow Science and Sustainability Education Center, the Dow Corning – SVSU STEM Community Partnership, and many more.
SAGINAW CHILDREN’S ZOO
1730 S Washington Ave,
Saginaw, MI 48601
(989) 759-1408
Magical things happen in Saginaw each year on 10 acres of tree-filled park land, home to over 100 animals, colorful gardens, a miniature train, and the regions only hand carved carousel. Opportunities for learning at the Saginaw Children’s Zoo are limited only by your imagination!Admission to the Zoo means hours of affordable, hands-on explorative interaction like nowhere else in the area!
*For fun FAMILY-FRIENDLY STEM events in the Great Lakes Bay check out the KIDS DAILY CALENDAR.
Information on the STEM Passport.