Events for All Educators
Mi-STAR Learning Series (Phase 3)
All educators are welcome to attend!
All educators are welcome to attend!
Mi-STAR teachers can use their MyMi-STAR Dashboard to sign up for events.
The Mi-STAR Learning Series offers virtual presentations and discussions via Zoom on topics relevant to middle school science teachers, such as best practices in remote learning and support for ELL students. Breakout rooms and a whole group discussion component follows each presentation to promote a sense of community and collaboration among participants. Presentation resources and session recordings are made available after each event.
Spring 2026 Mi-STAR Learning Series Sessions
Mi-STAR and Modeling Instruction: A Great Team
Modeling is both an SEP and a CCC - that's how important it is for scientists and engineers. And modeling in the classroom is especially inviting for struggling students or English learners, because using visual representations levels the playing field.
Modeling Instruction is a pedagogy that aligns closely with modeling in Mi-STAR units and lessons, and we've learned a lot from our collaboration.
If you're looking to deepen your understanding of the power of modeling in science class - or just looking for a few new ways to use modeling more often - join our session featuring master Mi-STAR classroom teachers who are also certified in Modeling Instruction.
Wednesday, April 22, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Register here
New and Useful Resources for 2026-2027
Get your September lined up before you leave in June - so you can spend the summer relaxing!
Come get a sneak preview of our new differentiated CER graphic organizers for your first unit in the fall, and our brand new Off the Shelf Lessons that might fit perfectly the first few weeks of school. And, talk to Eileen from Michigan EGLE about early sign up for all the free resources they offer for hands-on and place-based classroom activities (lending kits, classroom visits, and more!)
Tuesday, May 19, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Register here
Events for Mi-STAR Subscribers
Introduction to the Curriculum (Phase 1)
Phase 1 is designed to provide an introduction to the Mi-STAR curriculum structure, and consists of two learning experiences: the completion of a Unit Prep Course in Canvas, along with a total of six hours of live virtual or face-to-face sessions where teachers work collaboratively to experience key Mi-STAR unit, lesson, and assessment components.
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Next Virtual Phase 1 Training: Summer 2026 New teachers should register on the MyMi-STAR Teacher Dashboard or contact their local Mi-STAR Professional Learning Facilitator. Unsure who that is? Send us a note and we'll help you out: cmgeerer@mtu.edu |
Build Your Toolkit (Phase 2)
Toolkit Sessions are designed to enhance the pedagogical skills of new Mi-STAR teachers, and each two-hour session counts towards the Phase 2 teacher goal of six hours of Toolkit Instruction in the first year teaching Mi-STAR.
All Mi-STAR teachers are welcome to attend Phase 2 sessions or complete Phase 2 Canvas courses.
Register on your MyMi-STAR Teacher Dashboard
Phase 2 Virtual
Zoom Toolkit Sessions 4-6 pm Eastern Time 
Live and interactive. Each topic is offered at least once each school year. Use the MyMi-STAR teacher dashboard to register. | Phase 2 Asynchronous Canvas Toolkit Courses 
Available On Demand, Anytime The learning goals of the Canvas Toolkit courses are equivalent to the virtual Toolkit sessions. Teachers should not register for the same topic in both formats. |
Unit Bubble Maps Tuesday Oct 14 System Models Monday Nov 10 Productive Talk Tuesday Feb 3 Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Thursday Feb 26 3D Assessment Tuesday Apr 14 | Unit Bubble Maps System Models Productive Talk Claim, Evidence, Reasoning 3D Assessment |
Mi-STAR Professional Learning Facilitator Training
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Interested in providing Mi-STAR mentoring and leadership locally? Next Virtual PLF Training: June 11-30, 2026 Apply Here to be trained as a Certified Mi-STAR PLF Review the PLF/TL Pathway here. |
