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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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Apply to receive a free educational kit from MSU for World Quantum Day
World Quantum Day is an international event held on April 14 to generate interest in quantum science. Quantum is the science of atoms and particles, which are the building blocks of the universe. Scientists have used quantum mechanics to create technology we use every day such as the chips in smartphones. What exciting technology will be discovered next?
Our goal is to help Montana educators and youth engage in the work of Quantum Science through lesson kits for teachers to use on or near World Quantum Day. No expertise in quantum science is required. The kit is most appropriate for teachers of middle and high school students.
The kit will include:
- Resources about Quantum Science
- A banner to hang at your school and other fun shwag for your class
- Lesson plans and materials for your class, including all supplies and printables needed. The supplies and equipment are yours to keep.
Activities are designed for grades 6-12 but can easily be scaled up or down. Plan to use your kit on or near to World Quantum Day on April 14.
A short feedback form is requested at conclusion of the project We will request you submit an artifact such as photos, video clips, student reports, artwork or other artifacts from your World Quantum Celebration! All Montana educators and youth leaders are eligible to apply.
Application deadline is March 16, 2024. Visit www.montana.edu/smrc/quantum for more information. For questions, contact Elizabeth Green at elizabethgreen5@montana.edu. All resources will also be available for free download.
This work is supported by MSU's Applied Quantum Core.
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Do you know a Montana middle or high school student who aspires to excel in advanced mathematics? Encourage students, families, and educators to sign-up for our MSU Math Circle newsletter, providing students with opportunities to pursue their love of mathematics. Sign Up HERE
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Montana STEM Summer Institute 2024
CALL FOR PRESENTERS & EXHIBITORS
Presenter Proposal & Exhibitor Registration Deadline: March 31
We would love to have you present at our 6th annual STEM Summer Institute! Leverage your expertise to share an innovative project, a tool or strategy for implementing STEM education, or a new way to think about STEM in the classroom.
We encourage Presenter Proposals from K-12 teachers, informal and home school educators, school leaders, teacher educators, and other STEM enthusiasts! This year's conference theme of "STEM Across the Curriculum" is build around 3 strands:
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Planning STEM Learning Environments
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Implementing Ready-To-Use STEM-Based Projects
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Reimagining STEM Learning
Exhibitors & Sponsors are invited to partner with us to support educators and enhance STEM education in Montana. Our conference participants are looking forward to networking with you, and we've scheduled plenty of dedicated breaks and raffles to keep the Exhibit Hall thriving! In addition to many other perks, each sponsorship level offers the opportunity to present in breakout sessions. Full details and registration link can be found on our conference website.
Questions? Please contactJake Chipps | jchipps@mt-schools.org | (818) 481-6788
The STEM Summer Institute is hosted by the MSU Science Math Resource Center, School Services of Montana and many partner organizations.
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Free resource: Land Use Explorers curriculum for grades 3-5
Land Use Explorers is a series of lessons and activities that help students, teachers, and citizens of all ages to better understand and think critically about what we use our lands for and what we value most about them.
The social, economic, and environmental benefits provided by our lands are innumerable--from food and energy production, to watersheds and wildlife habitats. But there are also trade-offs associated with any land use.
"Land Use Explorers" focuses on topics that are key to understanding these benefits and trade-offs and includes fun, hands-on activities for use in the classroom or out-of-school environment.
Download free curriculum materials and watch a recording of a training session. Brought to you by the Science Math Resource Center and Montana Afterschool Alliance with support from the National Science Foundation.
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Partner programs and opportunities | | |
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Paid summer nanoscience workshop for middle school teachers
The Nanoscience Institute for Middle School Teachers (NanoSIMST) is a PAID workshop for teachers to engage in nanoscience and technology, discover nano lessons to engage students and learn about several resources in the field.
The Montana Nanotechnology Facility (MONT) based at MSU is sponsoring several Montana teachers' attendance at the virtual workshop, July 15-19. MONT will provide a $500 stipend on completion of the workshop along with an additional $300 for classroom implementation.
This workshop is hosted by our colleagues at nano@stanford, Stanford University's nano experts, with guest instructors from MONT and other universities across our NNCI network.
The application deadline is April 26. Learn more here. Download the workshop informational flyer here.
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New from MSU: Club for high school students interested in becoming a rural teacher
The MSU Rural Pathways Program is starting a Bridge to College initiative whereby current high school students are invited to be part of an online professional learning community called the Future Rural Educators' Club, led by Glendive Superintendent Stephen Schreibeis. The club will meet virtually 1-2 times per month and participation in the club enables students to apply for additional opportunities such as paid campus visits. If you have any questions, please contact Marcie Reuer at marcie.reuer@montana.edu.
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The Montana Science Fair is April 4 with awards on April 5.
Science Fair will be held in-person only at the Adams Center on the UM Campus with no virtual judging options. Registration is now open.
Learn more here.
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K-12 art contest; entries due Feb. 16
The Keep Montana Green program is hosting a Wildfire Prevention art contest for students in grades K-12 (entries must be submitted by a teacher).
Goals of the program are to:
- Educate Montana’s youth on ways to reduce human-caused wildland fires;
- Assist educators with teaching fire safety and prevention
- Use ideas and messages from the art contest in future fire prevention programs.
The site includes links to many educational lesson plans, videos, animations, worksheets and more. Visit the website for rules and information
For information on a new Montana research project hat will enhance our knowledge of prescribed fire, visit SMART FIRES (not affiliated; just another resource)
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Montana Environmental Education Association Spring Conference is Back!
March 15-17, 2024 – Billings, MT
MSUB-Billings
Registration is now open
Shifting gears from fall this year, MEEA’s Spring Annual Conference has returned! We're bringing our fall theme of "Creating Connections: Weaving the Many Threads of Environmental Education" into the vibrant season of spring to showcase myriad topics, diverse viewpoints, and multiple resources of environmental education in Montana. The conference will feature Professional Development sessions, engaging Field Trips, concurrent sessions, and of course, ample networking opportunities!
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NASA internships for high school students: STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES)
Audience: Current High School Sophomores and Juniors
Application Deadline: February 24, 2024
Contact: cmiller@csr.utexas.edu
NASA, the Texas Space Grant Consortium and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research have joined forces to encourage high school students’ interest in STEM careers. The SEES project offers onsite internships at The University of Texas in Austin, Texas and virtual projects in June and July. Participants conduct authentic research with NASA subject matter experts while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen areas of work. Housing, transportation and meals will be provided. Learn more.
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FREE Virtual Exchange STEM Program for high school students
The Experiment Digital Leadership in STEM prepares participants to be more civically engaged and lead change. This fully funded six-week summer virtual experience teaches high school students to formulate and implement STEM projects in their local communities.
The Experiment Digital is designed to connect hundreds of young people across the United States, Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region.
Applications for the 2024 Experiment Digital program is now OPEN! To learn more about our program, click here.
Spaces are starting to fill, so be sure to share the application with your students. Students and parents/guardians can apply by clicking here!
- Priority admissions deadline: February 23, 2024
- Final admissions deadline: May 13, 2024
If you have any questions, reach out at: digital@experiment.org.
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Fly your name to the moon!
VIPER will be NASA's first robotic Moon rover. It will embark on a mission to the lunar South Pole region to trek into permanently shadowed areas and unravel the mysteries of the Moon’s water. VIPER will be the first rover to measure the location and concentration of water ice and other resources. These resources could eventually be harvested to sustain human exploration on the Moon, Mars — and beyond! Add your name here to have it fly aboard VIPER.
Grants for youth and citizen science
Youth Learning as Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES) has grants available to educators to facilitate youth environmental research and data collection.
Grant types:
- Instruments and supplies: Up to $1,250
- Initiatives to engage students in the environmental research and inquiry process: Up to $5,000
- Local student research symposia (SRS): Up to $5,000
Application closes Feb. 29, 2024. Apply here.
Prepare for the total solar eclipse on April 8
Although Montana is not in the path of totality, we will still experience a partial eclipse and be able to take part in observations. NASA offers many resources to teach about eclipses and take part on April 8. We recommend Eclipse Soundscapes, which will capture audio recordings and mutli-sensory observations right before, during and after the eclipse. Your students can play the role of observers and contribute their findings to NASA!
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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 | | | | |
