Michael Mino has over 25 year’s
experience in K-16 STEM/MAKER education with a strong track record of innovation. As a high school teacher he transformed traditional 20th century classes into stat of the art 21st Century Skills programs. As a technology and curriculum specialist he was the founder of numerous innovative high school programs including the IT Leadership Academy, the Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Connecticut Innovation Expo, the Connecticut Student Film Festival and the Center for 21st Century Skills. Over the past 20 years he has successfully conceived, authored, developed and secured over $15 Million dollars in private, state and federal STEM grant awards that focused on STEM High School course redesign and project based learning. As a principal investigator and consultant he has extensive experience coordinating and managing diverse education projects including Maker Ed and teacher professional development initiatives. Michael is an “Apple Distinguished Educator” and has been utilizing his extensive expertise and knowledge of technology, blended learning, STEM and Maker education to advance 21st century learning for public and private schools and organizations in the U.S., Mexico and Africa. Michael is also an avid gardener and cook!
21st Century High School & STEM Education Innovation Experience
Founder, STEM 21: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education for the 21st Century. Conceived and planned a project-based, next generation 9–12th grade course sequence in math, science, and technology delivered in a blended learning environment. Funded with a $4.4 Million dollar U.S. DOE, Investing in Innovation (i3) Development Grant, proposal was ranked 6th out of 1700 submitted and was 1 of 50 awarded. 2010.
Founder, Connecticut Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. Conceived, planned and piloted a CT urban/suburban High School Career Academy focused on the study of digital arts, design, science and technology. A major strategy was to motivate, engage and support the development of creative skills in the use of digital media and their application to the study of science and technology. Funded by a $1.2 Million dollar NSF ITEST Award. 2010.
Founder, Connecticut Pathways to Innovation 21. Successfully conceived, developed and authored an NSF ATE Project proposal for the expansion of the CCC program into an Early College High School program. Collaborators include state government, higher education, industry and K12 districts. Funded by a $900K NSF Award. June 2010.
Founder, Connecticut Student Innovation Exposition and Student Film Festival. Designed, planned and managed annual culminating performance assessment for Connecticut middle/high school students in the CCC and CPEP programs where students present their films and innovative STEM projects as they compete for awards and prizes. The annual Expo and Film Festival continues today is regulary attended by over 2000 students, parents, teachers, business professionals and college faculty. Funded with NSF and CT SDE grants since 2002.
Founder, Principal Investigator. Successfully conceived, developed, authored, awarded and implemented CT Pathways to Innovation (CPI), a National Science Foundation, Advanced Technology Education Project. CPI was a high school challenge based learning program for urban/suburban students to develop 21st Century workforce skills in emerging fields of science, technology and engineering. Project elements, included implementation of a teacher summer institute and design based research to refine and improve our model. Funded by a $900K NSF Award. 2007.
Founding Director, Center for 21st Century Skills, Education Connection, Litchfield, CT. Regional Education Service Center funded by State/Federal grants and contract services. As the Founder and Director of the Center I guided the development and delivery of innovative 21st Century blended high school STEM curriculum, student programs and professional development for teachers from public urban and suburban high schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Under my leadership the Center grew to a staff of 10 with over 3 million dollars in annual funding. http://www.skills21.org July 2006 – July 2010.
Program Director and Primary Consultant, Connecticut Career Choices (CCC) Workforce Development Initiative. Connecticut Governors Office for Workforce Competitiveness funded program focused on 21st Century Skills and the development and dissemination of innovative, standards-based, 9-12 project based blended curriculum with a STEM career focus for Connecticut high schools. This collaboration of K-12, higher education, state government and industry leaders was funded annually through an $800,000.00 legislative budget line item. 9/2004 – 6/2010.
Founder, IT Leadership Academy. The IT Leadership Academy was a collaboration with IBM focused on 9-12th grade students from CT urban/suburban high schools. Students from diverse racial, cultural and soci-economic backgrounds came together for collaborative project-based learning using emerging technologies in a blended learning environment at IBM and college campuses with a culminating performance exhibit. Funded annually through the CT Interdistrict Grant Program. 98 – 2008.
Professional Appointments & Experience in Blended, Online and K12 STEM/Maker Education
Owner, MM Development Services, providing education, STEM and technology consulting and development services to a variety of public and private schools and organizations in the U.S., Mexico and Africa. Successfully conceived, coordinated and delivered 21st century online and blended learning solutions using open-source platforms (Joomla, Moodle, Wordpress) in collaboration with teachers, administrators, technology coordinators and developers. Also providing professional development services including coaching, mentoring and modeling for teachers and technology coordinators across K12 & College classrooms since 2010. Current.
David Lear Sulman Computing & Engineering Education Initiative. Providing consulting, development and support services for this three-year donor funded initiative focused on the implementation of Maker Spaces, Computer Science and Engineering Education in three Jewish Day Schools. I am also providing coaching, mentoring and modeling with technology coordinators, department chairs and teachers in the use of the iPads, 3D Printers and a variety of computer and electronic technology, devices, kits, apps and services. 2017 - Current
NSF Grant Research and Development Consultant, Ed Advance Skills 21 http://www.skills21.org. Providing research, development, design and writing expertise for NSF grant initiatives focused on innovative 21st Century blended and project based STEM curriculum and programs for urban and suburban high schools schools in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Recently contributed research, project description, project rationale and project plan components for NSF ITEST/ATE proposals, resulting in awards totaling 2.1 Million Dollars. 2014 - 2017
Blended Learning & STEM Consultant, Developer, Cohen Hillel Academy – http://cohenhillel.org. Providing platform development, professional development and support services for a K-8 Jewish Day School school initiative focused on implementation of a Learning Commons with a Maker Space, 3D Printing and iPads with a custom Moodle environment that provides single sign-on with Google Apps for education. Also, coaching, mentoring, and modeling technology coordinator and teachers in the use of the iPads, 3D Printers and Moodle. 2015 - 2017
eLearning Consultant, Developer, Interise Inc. – https://interise.org. Providing consulting, development, and support services for the national rollout of the Interise Streetwise MBAÒ program in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Developed an integrated Joomla-Moodle online environment with custom registration system to support over 2900 users for a blended learning program. 2011 - 2017
Blended Learning Consultant, Developer. The Rashi School – http://moodle.rashi.org. Provided platform development, professional development and support services for a K-8 Jewish Day School school initiative focused on Connected Learning with integration of iPads and a custom Moodle environment that provides Google Apps integration and a Khan Academy Clone. Also, coaching, mentoring, and modeling technology coordinator and teachers in the use of the iPads, Google Apps, 3D Printers and Moodle. 2011 - 2017
Online Learning Consultant, Developer. YU Global, Yeshiva University. Provided Moodle hosting, development and support for Yeshiva University, an Orthodox Jewish University online learing initiative. Also acted as adjunct online faculty for YU certificate program in Blended Learning. 2013 – 2016
Digital Learning Consultant, Ghana Ed21. The GHANA ED21 program was a collaboration of MM Development Services and Jabemax Ltd. in Ghana leveraging ICT systems and open source STEM education resources to design, develop and implement of 21st Century learning environments for students and teachers. 2013 - 2015
STEM Education Consultant, Developer, CPEP Inc. – http://cpep.org. Provided platform development, grant research, curriculum development and support for CPEP, a CT non-profit that seeks to identify, inspire, ignite and develop under-represented youth ability and interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 2010 - 2017
STEM Consultant, Platform Developer, Curriculum Author, Regional Center for Next Generation Manufacturing http://nextgenmfg.org. NSF ATE funded Center at CT Community College’s College of Technology (COT), a collaboration that encompasses Connecticut’s 12 community colleges and 6 public and private partner universities in engineering and technology studies. Provided expertise to create, develop and support the COT RCNGM eLearning environments for curriculum, collaboration and research for students, faculty and national partners. 2010 - 2015
21st Century Education Consultant, Gann Academy. Co-facilitated an extensive review of teaching and learning practice at Gann Academy, a private Jewish Hgh School, including a literature best practices review in comparable high schools across the U.S and emerging trends in STEM education. Identifed best practices in use of technology across the curriculum that resulted in a strategic plan for a 21st century learning initiative. 2014 – 2015.
Instructional Designer, Online Curriculum Developer, Grant Consultant, Civic Life Project. Provided platform development of a Moodle environment and design of online curriculum materials for high school program focused on documentary film making about local and national civics topics of concern to high school students. 2012 - 2017
Blended Learning Consultant, Developer, The Binah School. Provided professional development, support and innovation in the development of an online learning environment that delivered onsite, online and blended curriculum to 6-9th grade girls in an Orthodox Jewish Day School, Sharon, MA. 2012 - 2015
Blended Learning Consultant and Developer. Berkshire Hills Regional School District. Provided expertise and professional development for a K-12 public school district initiative focused on the use of iPads and (BYOD) Mobile Devices integrated with a custom Moodle environment that provides Google Apps integration and a Khan Academy Clone for use by students and teachers. 2010 - 2016
Education Technology Consultant, Union for Reform Judaism Life Long Learning Group. Provided expertise, insight and development consultation to the URJ team focused on Jewish Day School and Synagogue education services for children, teens and adults in associated schools and organizations. 2012
STEM Education Consultant, Developer, Facilitator, Beaver Country Day School Sci-Studio Curriculum Initiative. Facilitated the development of a 21st Century Science Education program adapted from the Challenge-Based and Studio-Based Learning Model. Collaborated with Middle and Upper school administrators and teachers in the redesign of the science and technology curriculum and online environments. 2011
DODED STEM Grant Consultant, Developer and Co-Author, Fort Leavenworth School District. CYBER-T.E.A.M.S., a $2.5 Million Department of Defense Education Activity Grant Project. The CYBER-T.E.A.M.S. concept is an original research-based innovation and approach to integrating Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math and Science education across grades K-9. The Fort Leavenworth School District is situated on the US Army Post at Fort Leavenworth Kansas and serves a student body that comprised of 95% military dependent families. 2011.
Technology & Curriculum Specialist. Education Connection, Litchfield CT, Regional Education Service Center funded by State/Federal grants and contract services. As part of the School Services team I provided education technology and STEM education expertise to public urban and suburban schools in Connecticut including curriculum consulting, education technology integration, student program development and professional development for teachers. August 1998 – July 2006
Africa Mobile
& ICT Expo 2015 Panel Participant & Speaker. Participated & presented
on Education Innovation and Technology, International Conference Center, Accra,
Ghana. 7/2015. MASS CUE 2013 Conference Special
Workshop Presenter. 2-Hour Hands-on session ‘Blended Learning via YouTube Channels’,
Foxbourough, MA. 11/2013. Ghana Ed21 IBM Seminar Leader.‘21st Century Careers and Education’, Organized and
Moderated panel of IBM employee volunteers at the University of Professional
Studies faculty, Accra, Ghana, 11/2013. Blended Learning Bootcamp. Seminar Leader,Yeshiva University Institute for
University-School Partnerships, 7/13. Ghana Ed21, Keynote Speaker. Seminar Leader, ‘21st Century Learning
Environments’, Accra, Ghana, 6/11. Rhode Island Blended Learning
& Technology Conference.
Workshop Presenter, ‘21st Century Learning Environments’, Rhode Island College,
Providence RI, 4/ 2013. MASS CUE/Ed Tech Teacher
Conference. Session
Presenter, Leading, Learning, the Future, ‘21st Century Learning Environments’,
College of the Hoy Cross, Worcester, Ma. 3/ 2013. 2012 North American Jewish Day
School Conference, Key Note Speaker. Presented 2 keynote addresses, "21st Century Learning
Environments" and "21st Century STEM Education". Atlanta,
Georgia, 1/2012. American Association of
Community Colleges, NSF ATE Principal Investigators Conference.
Workshop Leader, "Cyber-Communities for Collaboration, Innovation, and
Student Engagement". Washington D.C. 10/2011. U.S. Department of Education Invited
Expert Speaker. Invited by
the U.S. Department of Education to offer expert comments on the proposed Race
to The Top Grants Program at a public hearing in Boston, MA. 11/2009. North East American Society of Engineering Educators
Annual Conference. University
of Bridgeport, Invited Panelist, "Innovation in Engineering Education",
4/2009. Rockvile Center Catholic Schools
Adminstrators Invited Speaker.
"A 21st Century
Education", Bayshore, NY, 4/09. UNESCO Workshop Hameenlinna,
Finland. Invited Speaker,
Ubiquitous ICT For Sustainable Education & Cultural Literacy, Invited
Presenter “A
Celebration Of Local Culture And Digital Literacy In The Virtual World”. 10/2008. American Association of
Community Colleges NSF ATE Principal Investigators Conference. Preconference ½ Day Workshop Leader. "Second
Life, The Third Dimension of Learning" Washington D.C. 10/2008. American Association of
Community Colleges, National ATE Principal Investigators Conference. Featured Presentation, "Connecticut
Career Choices, A 21st Century Workforce Initiative". 10/2008. Conneticut – Finland PISA Study Program, Proposed, developed and
facilitated a study of the Finland PISA Assessment results for a group of 15
Connecticut Educators including College faculty, State board member, district
adminstrators and high school teachers. Activities included review of PISA results,
online discussion, field trip to Finland to attend an international conference,
high schools/university and research center visits, culminating in a Connecticut
conference to present results to a broader audience of over 100 educators.
April - September 2008. Connecticut Learns and Works Workshop
Presentation. "21st Century Skills and STEM Education", 5/07, 5/08. Connecticut Technology Education
Association Annual Conferences.
Presented workshops on 21st Century Skills, Science & Technology Ed,
Problem Solving, Curriculum Development, and Web Site Design and more.
1994-2009. Connecticut Educators Computer
Conference, Presented
workshops about 21st Century Skills, Technology and STEM Education, 2004 to
2009. 2002 Annual Conference,
Connecticut Association of Gifted Education. Keynote Speaker, "21st Century
Technology for Gifted and Talented Education",Meridan, CT, 5/2002. Connecticut Technology Education
Curriculum Forum 2002.
Host-Organizer-Presenter, "Implementing the CT Model Technology Education
Curriculum", Danbury, CT. Hosted over 75 technology education teachers and
administrators, organized and presented panels, workshops and materials on a
variety of related topics. 2/2002. Apple Tech Update, Keynote
Speaker. "The Future Has
Already Happened", Featured speaker sponsered by Apple Computer to an
invited audience of Technology Coordinators and Administrators. 9/2001. 2001 Annual Summer Technology
Conference Keynote Speaker,
"What is so different about the 21st Century?", Connecticut
Association of Independent Schools, Avon, CT, 6/2001. Apple Sponsered Invitation Only
Conference Keynote Speaker.
‘’Teaching & Learning in the 21st Century’’, for Lexington, MA, Curriculum
Coordinators, Technology Coordinators and Principals, Boston, MA, 6/2001. 2001 Annual Meeting and Spring
Conference, Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers. Keynote Speaker, "Teaching &
Learning, World Languages in the 21st Century", Keynote address, West
Hartford, CT, 5/2001. Apple Critical Balance Seminar, Keynote Speaker. Teaching & Learning in the 21st Century.
Invitation only conference for Teachers, Technology Coordinators, Principals
and Superintendants, Springfield, MA, 3/2001. Connecticut Organization of Language Teachers, Annual
Winter Conference, Keynote Speaker. "Understanding Technology & The Internet"; Keynote address
and follow-up session, West Hartford, CT, 1/1999. J. A. & Katherine Albertson Foundation Featured
Speaker. "Professional
Technical Academies For The 21st Century", Boise, Idaho. Invited presenter
to a private conference hosted to announce a multi-million dollar grant
initiative focused on high school career programs in Idaho public schools. 8/1998. Government Administration Committee Conference
Panelist. Connecticut General
Assembly, The Internet: Community and Political Development. Participated as a
panelist in a conference focusing on the Internet in neighborhood and community
development. 7/98. International Technology Education Association Annual
Conference Conference Presenter.
Moderated a discussion about the ITEA listserv focusing on transitioning
industrial arts to technology education, Presented workshops on 9-12th grade
standards implementation, Gilbert School Technology Education program, IT
Academy, Desktop Movie Making, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001. New England Association Technology Teachers Annual
Conferences Conference Presenter. Presented workshops on Science & Technology Ed, Problem Solving,
Curriculum Development, Web Site Design, Desktop Video and Emerging Technology.
1994-2001. Technology Education Association of Massachusetts,
Worcester, MA, Conference Presenter. Presented workshops on Technology Education, Internet Activities, IT
Academy, Desktop Movies, 2/1999, 3/2000, 4/2001. Connecticut Technology Education Association Annual
Conferences, Conference Presenter. Presented workshops on Science & Technology Ed, Problem Solving,
Curriculum Development, and Web Site Design. 1994-1999. Berkshire Visitors Bureau, Pittsfield, MA Workshop
Presenter. Delivered workshop
on Computers, Communication and Internet Commerce for bureau members interested
in developing and implementing ecommerce. 2/1998. Technology Teacher Enhancement Center Workshop
Presenter, Central Connecticut State University. Presented on implementing Technology Education to
teachers from around Connecticut involved in a CCSU in-service program focused
on the redesign of traditional industrial arts programs into technology
education March 1999, April 1996. UMASS Lab School, Amherst, Massachusetts Workshop
Presenter. Presented workshop
focusing on the use of multi-media technology for PreK-3 Grade Elementary
Education Teacher Candidates. April 1996.Conference Presentations and Professional Development Education