The Western UP Center offers a wide variety of programs focused on enhancing the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in the 19 school districts of Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Gogebic and Ontonagon counties of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Western UP Center is a member of Michigan Mathematics and Science Centers Network whose primary goal is to build an educated workforce by providing quality student, teacher and community programming to improve K-12 science and mathematics education throughout the state.

The Center's teacher professional development programs help teachers to implement state and national standards and to actively engage their students in learning. In addition, Center staff provide support to schools districts as they align their curriculum to state curriculum standards.

A variety of student and community programs stimulate learning in the classroom, apply learning to real world challenges, and involve students in their communities. The Center also provides a resource clearinghouse of standards-based science and mathematics curricula and equipment that teachers may check out. Center programs are funded with grants from Section 99 of the School Aid Act and the Wege Foundation, in addition to special project grants.