EMU STEM Ed Institute Co-Hosts Showcase Event for Lincoln Middle School CTE Program

On April 7, 2026, the Eastern Michigan University STEM Education Institute (EMU STEM Ed Institute), in collaboration with the Washtenaw County County Intermediate School District (WISD), co-hosted a showcase night for the students who participated in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Lincoln Middle School (LMS), titled, "Curiosity to Career.” CTE essentially is learning by doing, along with hands-on opportunities in the classroom, which makes key connections to real-world applications.

Over the course of nine weeks, LMS students journeyed through an exploration of careers related to advanced manufacturing, aerospace, mobility, robotics, and engineering. During this sequence, students got to hear from representatives from a variety of related companies such as Toyota and Zoller. Students had the opportunity to visit these companies as well, gaining true field experience, where hands-on work was emphasized. For example, during Toyota’s visit, students assembled and tested their own electric vehicles!

Students selected the week that most interested them to present a capstone poster during the April 7th showcase. During this event, families, teachers, administrators, students, and industry professionals gathered over pizza and refreshments to learn about the students’ work. The attendees also watched an exciting aviation drone show in the gym during the 'dinner and a show' programming! Sibling rivalries were settled over remote control electric vehicle races.

The evening’s success was confirmed by hearing parents say, “Wow, I wish school was like this when I was young.” We thank our partners for allowing us to be part of this event which exemplifies why Washtenaw County is a pioneer in innovative education and how CTE is a pathway to future success.

LMS student demonstrates her capstone project.

About the EMU STEM Ed Institute

Founded in 2023, the Institute for STEM Education, Outreach and Workforce Development at Eastern Michigan University, is a community-driven hub to promote STEM education and encourage local students to pursue a career in the STEM fields and skilled trades. The mission of the STEM Ed Institute is to serve and sustainably support and strengthen the community's cultural wealth related to STEM educational opportunity, outreach, and workforce development. For more information, please visit the STEM Ed Institute website.