How We Review STEM & STEAM Programs

Last updated: March 2026

Michigan STEAM Kids is a curated resource, not an open directory. We individually evaluate every program before creating a listing. This page explains our review process and the criteria we use.

Inclusion Criteria

To be considered for a listing on Michigan STEAM Kids, a program must meet all of the following baseline requirements:

  • STEM/STEAM relevance: The program is focused on science, technology, engineering, art integrated with STEM, or mathematics.

  • Youth audience: The program is designed for children, teens, or families with children (preschool through high school).

  • Michigan-based or Michigan-relevant: The program takes place in Michigan or is clearly relevant to Michigan families (such as a virtual program offered by a Michigan institution).

  • Legitimate provider: The organization offering the program is publicly verifiable, credible, and authoritative.

  • Sufficient public information: There is enough publicly available information about the program to create a useful, accurate listing.

  • Current or recurring: The program is currently active, upcoming, or has a strong history of recurring annually.

What We Evaluate

Programs that meet the baseline criteria are then evaluated across several dimensions. We do not assign scores or rankings. Instead, we consider the following factors when writing our editorial profiles:

  • Educational substance: Does the program offer genuine learning content, or is it primarily entertainment branded as STEM?

  • Age appropriateness: Is the program well-designed for its stated age range?

  • Provider credibility: Does the provider have relevant expertise, institutional backing, or a track record of delivering quality programs?

  • Accessibility: Is the program reasonably accessible in terms of cost, location, and prerequisites?

  • Transparency: Does the provider clearly communicate pricing, schedules, expectations, and what participants will experience?

  • Value to families: Would a listing for this program help Michigan parents make a more informed decision?

What We Do Not Do

  • We do not conduct on-site visits or observe programs in person.

  • We do not interview participants, parents, or staff as part of our standard review.

  • We do not assign rankings, scores, or "best of" designations based on proprietary metrics.

  • We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or outcomes of any listed program.

Our listings are editorial profiles based on publicly available information. They represent our best assessment of what a program offers, but they are not endorsements. Parents should always conduct their own research and contact providers directly before enrolling their child.

Sources We Use

Our reviews are based on information gathered from provider-owned sources:

  • Official program pages and provider websites

  • Registration and pricing pages

  • Published schedules and session descriptions

  • Provider "About" pages and institutional information

  • Publicly available FAQ or policy pages

We prioritize first-party sources over third-party reviews, aggregator listings, or social media content.

Review Cycle

Published listings are reviewed on a regular cycle to verify that information remains current. The frequency of review depends on the program type: seasonal programs (such as summer camps) are reviewed before each season, while year-round programs are reviewed on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.

Each listing includes a "Last Reviewed" date so readers can see when information was last verified.

Have a question about our review process? Contact us. Want to submit a program for consideration? Visit our Submit a Program page.