Supporting Michigan's families, communities and small businesses

 

MSU is here promotion tile

True to its land-grant mission, Michigan State University’s vast knowledge and resources reaches into all 83 Michigan counties; extending the borders of the campus to every community in the state.

MSU continues to share free resources and support to individuals, families, communities and businesses across the state.

  • Resources for families with children

    Extend the classroom to the living room, kitchen or backyard

    • WKAR’s Curious Crew take a hands-on approach to investigating principles of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with award-winning educator Rob Stephenson.
    • MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H is growing current and future leaders. The largest youth development organization in Michigan, 4-H provides more than 200,000 young people with experiential learning opportunities to explore new interests and discover their passion.
    • PBS LearningMedia is your destination for easy, instant access to thousands of classroom-ready, digital resources.
    • Stay inspired and engaged with online learning activities from the MSU Museum.
    • Join Abrams Planetarium staff for an interactive story time twice a week on Facebook Live. Experts will read space-themed stories and talk about the astronomy and science in those stories. There also will be an opportunity to post questions and receive answers during a live chat stream.
    • Keep children active and motivated. MSU's mascot Sparty coaches kids through a variety of fun exercises! Aerobics, strength training and motor skills are all important physical activities for children to grow healthy and strong, to prevent future injuries and, of course, to have fun!
    • Little learning opportunities throughout the day can make a big difference in children's lives. Reading aloud with children and working math lessons into playtime is a great way to jump-start their development.
    • Understanding the unique needs of children with autism is essential. Spartan Caregiver Support aims to address this urgent need by providing caregivers with free informational support via phone, video chat or other electronic media.
    • Michigan State University, Department of Counseling, Assistant Professor, Matthew Brodhead, shares advice and tips for caretakers of children with autism. Including maintaining daily routines to getting personal advice from free interactive support.
    • From dance parties to push-ups with your pup! Karin Pfeiffer, Michigan State University Kinesiology Professor, shares with parents’ tips and takeaways for staying active with your kids.
    • Visit the Michigan State University Libary & Archives Events, Seminars & Workshops for an extensive list of upcoming or archinved online learning opportunities. 
    • Wharton Center’s Act One Family Series performances provide the perfect opportunity to introduce children to the performing arts. These fun and engaging shows are specially designed for young audiences and their families. 
    • Wharton Center welcomes families with sensory sensitivities to special sensory-friendly performances throughout the year. Accommodations include low sound and light levels, designated quiet and calm spaces, social narratives, sensory supports like fidgets and earplugs, and more. 
    • First Saturdays are Family Days at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Family Day is always free and invites visitors of all ages to explore the many ways that art reflects the world around them. 
  • Resources for teachers

    Free training and resources for all educators
    MSU's Master of Arts in Educational Technology Program Mini-MOOC on Remote Teaching focuses on high-priority, digestible topics with the intent of applying them to practice tomorrow. Because educators are teaching across a range of remote teaching contexts, we include no-tech, low-tech, and high-tech strategies throughout the experience.

    MSU researchers create free K-2 science and literacy lessons
    Researchers at Michigan State University have created a free, complete set of lessons designed to help kids in kindergarten through second grade learn—and love—science.

    Elementary schools and teachers can now download the SOLID Start materials, which cover the Next Generation Science Standards and many English Language Arts standards.

    MSU Musuem Virtual Resources 
    The MSU Museum has learning resources that are available on loan to PreK–12 teachers across Michigan. Resource boxes include hands-on artifacts, activities, and instructor information, and cover a range of subjects including science, social studies, culture, and technology. 

    The MSU Museum welcomes PreK–12 students and teachers from across Michigan annually for field trips. Admission to the MSU Museum is free. 

    Bring art and creativity into your classroom with MSU Broad Art Museum virtual field trips! Using artworks selected from exhibitions on view at the museum, the MSU Broad offers synchronous virtual field trips that can be adapted to fit your teaching context. 

  • Community resources

    Issue-specific resources for local governments

    Local governments play a crucial role in responding to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, providing essential information to residents, and ensuring the health and safety of their resources. MSU Extension's Local Government Resources for Novel Coronavirus Response page will be updated regularly with resources and webinars to help Michigan local governments navigate this outbreak.

  • Business support

    Connecting and supporting Michigan's vital food businesses

    Michigan has food system networks that for more than a decade have been advancing a shared vision of a food system that provides all Michiganders access to safe, healthy, and affordable food. These networks, many of which are coordinated by the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems and actively engaged with MSU Extension, are buzzing with activity to adapt to the food system challenges we face.

    Directory of financing sources for food-related businesses

    The directory includes sources of national and local finance opportunities that may be available to producers, distributors, food hubs, and food-related businesses. The directory is divided into four funding sources types: crowd funding, accelerator, miscellaneous (non-federal), and federal resources.

    Bookmark the Center for Regional Food Systems events calendar

    This calendar is updated regularly with free webinars specific to supporting food-related businesses.

Additional resources:

  • Bookmark MSU Extension's Remote Learning Virtual Events calendar to access the resources you need, wherever you need them.