Ann Arbor Times

The STEM Education Institute at Eastern Michigan University has reported a year of increased activity and community engagement through the Toyota-funded Driving Possibilities Initiative. During the 2024–2025 school year, nearly 3,400 students from Ypsilanti Community Schools and Lincoln Consolidated Schools participated in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. These programs were held in various settings including libraries, classrooms, and community events.

Assistant director Zachary Krauss led a team that included EMU student assistants and interns. The group focused on making hydrology, meteorology, and engineering topics accessible to students. “This year’s success proves what happens when education and industry come together with a shared mission,” said Krauss. “We’ve seen students light up during hands-on activities and helped teachers build meaningful STEM connections for their classrooms.”

Over the summer, more than 30 teachers and administrators from area schools attended a two-day workshop at Toyota’s Saline research facility. The event was designed to help educators develop experiential STEM curriculum and included presentations from Toyota leaders as well as EMU staff involved in curriculum development, outreach, and workforce initiatives. The workshop also featured Toyota’s CHASE Technician Panel where employees discussed their career paths to highlight technical career opportunities.

“Thanks to the support of Toyota and GM, we’re not just reaching more students, we’re creating a culture of STEM curiosity and career exploration at EMU,” said Sibrina Collins, director of the EMU STEM Ed Institute. “Driving Possibilities is preparing the next generation of innovators right here in Michigan by connecting education to opportunity.”

Community involvement was further supported by the Driving Possibilities Advisory Board composed of local leaders from Washtenaw County. This summer saw expanded programming at Parkridge Summer Camp and the Ypsilanti District Library due to efforts by board members M. Jeanice Townsend and Kallista Marie Walker.

Funding from the General Motors Community Grant Program enabled additional outreach to Romulus Community Schools and Detroit Public Schools Community District.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 and is recognized as one of Michigan’s oldest public universities. It serves about 13,000 students across undergraduate through doctoral levels with over 300 academic programs offered through its various colleges.