Education

The Lemelson-MIT program awards a $10,000 grant to high school teams that invent technological solutions to real-world problems. This year, 14 schools received the grants, including Williamston and Stockbridge. Current State's Kevin Lavery visits both schools.

Legislation was introduced in Michigan last month that requires sex education courses to have more exhaustive conversations about the issue of consent. We speak with one of the bill’s sponsors, State Sen. Curtis Hertel, Jr., about the legislation and how it would be implemented.

An east Michigan public school official supports the right of licensed gun owners to conceal carry in schools. Current State talks with Clio Community Schools Superintendent Fletcher Spears about guns in schools.

Michigan State University will hire 100 new faculty members to embark on a long-term effort to expand its scientific research profile. We talk with MSU’s Dr. Steven Hsu, Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies, and Dr. Andrew Christlieb, chair of the new Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering.

Lansing is one of about 200 cities that's taken up the White House's "My Brother's Keeper" initiative. We talk about the future of the My Brother's Keeper program in Lansing with Angela Waters Austin, director of the non-profit group One Love Global, and Men Making a Difference founder Andrew Brewer.

The Michigan Art Education Association has named the Michigan Art Teacher of the Year and she’s from right here in Mid-Michigan. Current State talks with Kerry Shadbolt of Williamston High School, who received the honor this weekend in Grand Rapids.

The National Science Foundation has awarded MSU a grant that will allow them to study and test the best ways to improve science learning in schools. We speak with principal investigator for the project Barbara Schneider.

The Lansing Board of Education has wrapped up a series of public forums on a multi-million dollar bond proposal that will go before voters next year. We talk with the president of the Board of Education, Peter Spadafore about what voters have had to say about the Pathway Promise plan.

A program this weekend in Lansing teaches the basics of building a micro-business to youth aged 13 and older. It’s organized by the Lansing community organization, the NorthWest Initiative. Current State talks with Executive Director Peggy Vaughn-Payne.

The University of Michigan has reached a settlement with a male student it once expelled, throwing out its original ruling that he had non-consensual sex with a female student. The attorney representing the unnamed plaintiff has blasted the settlement and the school’s original investigation. Current State speaks with attorney Douglas Fierberg about university investigations of sexual misconduct.

A state history publication once ended by budget cuts is back with a new look and a new focus. We talk with Nancy Feldbush and Amy Bradfield of the Historical Society of Michigan. They’re co-editors of Michigan History for Kids magazine.

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about how to get girls interested in the STEM fields. One solution? Hearing the stories of women already doing great things in the tech world. Current State talks with the Michigan women who founded the new podcast "Diva Tech Talk", which aims to do just that.

Anthony Ianni of Okemos played basketball at Michigan State. Current Sports host Al Martin talks with him about his efforts to promote greater understanding of people on the autism spectrum.

Thousands of students are returning to Michigan State University for the start of fall classes.  Current State’s Kevin Lavery captures some of the sounds and emotions of the back to school move-in.

Thousands of returning and first-time students have arrived at Michigan State University for the start of the fall semester.  For several days, many have been moving into their dorm rooms.  Current State’s Kevin Lavery caught up with a few students and parents caught up in the moment.