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Welcome to Brainstorms!, the monthly e-newsletter of the MSU Science Math Resource Center. We share cool opportunities for Montana STEM educators of all grade levels, subjects and settings, including upcoming professional development workshops through MSU and our partners; grant applications and STEM resources; STEM events and contests for students; and more.
Please forward to a colleague and encourage them to subscribe – including your school administrators and school counselors, too! For questions or ideas, contact the MSU Science Math Resource Center.
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Free PD workshop April 20 at 4pm | |
Online workshop features MSU engineer who studies bone density
Montana middle and high school science teachers are invited to attend a free workshop on Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 4pm to 5pm called MSU Research in Action.
The workshop is part of a monthly series hosted by the MSU Science Math Resource Center. The April workshop features Ghazal Vahidi, who studies bone density in the Norm Asjbornson College of Engineering.
Teachers can earn 1 OPI renewal unit for participating. Registration is limited to 30 participants.
Each monthly Research in Action workshop features a Montana State University STEM researcher. You will not only hear about the work they do, but you will hear about their own STEM pathway. We will then have facilitated discussion to think about how you can bring the information into the classroom. Recordings of past workshops are on the SMRC Professional Development web page.
More info and the link to register is here. https://www.montana.edu/smrc/profdev.html
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NEXT WEEK!
STEM Summit is April 13 in Helena
This year's Montana STEM Summit: Growing STEM Learning Across the Big Sky will be Thursday, April 13 in Helena.
Since 2017, the Montana STEM Summit has brought together representatives from education, business, afterschool, government, industry, and nonprofits along with other engaged citizens to discuss and showcase STEM opportunities from across the state.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn, discuss, share and showcase how to grow STEM opportunities for youth in Montana. Registration is free and open now.
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STEM Summer Institute Professional Development Conference for Teachers—registration now open; speaker proposals due May 1
Don’t miss the opportunity to attend this exciting and expanded STEM event for Montana educators interested in science, math, and related fields. The fifth annual STEM Summer Institute is a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made showcase for STEM integration across all grades and subject areas. You’ll enjoy exemplary K-12 STEM instruction and resources, inspiring national speakers, and the best of Bozeman and MSU!
We are still accepting speaker proposals--submit by May 1.
Early bird registration pricing through May 31.
Hosted by School Services of Montana and the MSU Science Math Resource Center
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Seeking Montana rural / high-need schools to join MSU STEM Teacher-Leaders project
The Science Math Resource Center has received a planning grant from the National Science Foundation in order to write a full proposal that would help us build a cohort of STEM teacher-leaders in Montana.
The project is part of the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program. During the planning phase, we can offer a small amount of support to teachers who fill out a needs assessment survey as well as potential travel funding to school leaders to meet with us in Bozeman this summer. Most importantly, you are positioning your school as an excellent partner for a full Noyce Teacher-Leaders proposal, which would provide extensive support and training for STEM teachers who teach in high-need districts.
If your school is rural or high-need (see NSF website for how high-need schools are defined) and would like to learn more about joining our project, please ask your superintendent to contact Dr. Fenqjen Luo at fluo@montana.edu
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STEM opportunities for educators: Energy | |
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Teachers: Join the Clean Energy Fellow program
CE is accepting applications from educators across the Pacific Northwest to join the PNW Power Grid Cohort. This cohort, consisting of leaders from across the Pacific Northwest, will find ways to reimagine how educators can build student access to and influence on the local energy landscape through building a customized Action Plan to strengthen the clean energy talent ecosystem.
Each Clean Energy Fellow will develop unique programming that leverages community relationships, regional energy resources, place-based energy and justice challenges, and industry expertise. Montana teachers must be located in an area served by BPA Utilities (mainly northwest Montana). Use this map to check or email Rosemary Lopez. Participating teachers receive a $5,000 stipend and a $2,000 materials budget. Applications are due June 25.
CE is hosting an informational webinar on May 1, from 4:00-5:30pm.
Learn more
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STEM opportunities for educators: Space | |
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Eclipse Ambassadors prepare communities Off the Path. Do you love eclipses and want to share the wow of space science with your community? Apply to become a NASA Partner Eclipse Ambassador!
In 2023 and 2024, two eclipses will be happening across the United States. In an exciting new partnership, Undergraduate Students and Amateur Astronomers* will engage their local communities, providing solar viewing glasses as well as context for underserved communities off the central paths. all engagement is done to prepare your community before the 2024 eclipse - there is no obligation to host eclipse day events. Learn more and apply here.
*No experience is necessary -- just your enthusiasm for sharing the awesomeness of eclipses with your community.
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Women and Girls in Astronomy
Do you know someone who would be interested in implementing a small project to support Women and Girls in Astronomy for Development … maybe an educator/teacher, undergraduate or graduate student, or an amateur astronomer, etc.?
The Women and Girls in Astronomy Program is looking to fund ten projects that use astronomy for development activities to promote, support, and uplift women and girls in the field. Qualifying projects must align with at least one of the NA-ROAD’s five Strategic Goals and take place in Canada, United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Greenland. Projects are encouraged to approach astronomy from a unique lens, including, but not limited to, scientific, social, technical, cultural, and artistic perspectives.
Learn more and apply
Applications are due April 16
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STEM opportunities for educators: Fire | | |
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FireWorks Master class in Missoula
Register for a free workshop on June 13-14 at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory. The class consists of two intense days of entertaining hands-on activities for teaching students about wildland fire behavior, ecology, management and activities related to traditional fire use by Native Americans. Content will focus on ecosystems in the Northern Rocky Mountains and North Cascade range, but the program has been adapted for use in other ecosystems. The FireWorks program is a valuable resource for teachers (teacher renewal credits or University of Montana credit available), youth leaders, agency educators and fire prevention specialists, communication specialists, and outdoor educators. For more information or to register, visit frames.gov/fireworks or email Court Johnson
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Free PBE symposium at MSU-Bozeman June 16-18 | |
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Registration now open for Proficiency-Based Education (PBE) Symposium June 16-18 at MSU
This symposium brings together a range of stakeholders within the state of Montana as we seek to extend the conversations that are happening as schools and districts are transforming policies to create personalized learning experiences for students. This conversation often revolves around terms called “Competency-based,” “Proficiency-Based,” and “Standards-based.”
The goal of this symposium is to capture the movements that are occurring locally and create a space for collaboration and further inspiration. Friday evening will consist of a keynote talk by a nationally renowned expert followed by a reception. Saturday will include panel discussions, short talks, workshops, and collaborative sessions. Sunday’s events will include additional short talks, networking opportunities, and a final keynote presentation. Registration is now open!
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Welcome to Science Math Resource Center: Jill Joyce
We give a huge welcome to Jill Joyce, SMRC's new program coordinator! Jill moved to Montana from Vermont in 1989 to earn her Civil Engineering degree from MSU. Upon graduation, seeking a more hands-on experience than an office environment, Jill learned the trades of log building and timber framing; crafting with chainsaws and chisels for nearly a decade in the booming ski town of Big Sky.
As a single Mom of three, Jill launched a STEM children’s program with LEGOs™ and managed a small business in Bozeman. Jill brings to the SMRC a Jill-of-all-trades approach with talents in marketing, management, team building, hospitality, project development, technical writing, and more.
When not in the SMRC office, you can find Jill at the master's alpine ski race circuit, volunteering for a myriad of her children’s activities, or enjoying the vast Montana landscape in her restored vintage camper.
Contact Jill at jill.joyce1@montana.edu
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Do you know a Montana STEM teacher interested in cool opportunities? Please share this newsletter so they can follow along for next year! Or, they can subscribe at bit.ly/smrc-news
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