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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STEM Summer Institute 2024 | |
5 reasons you should join us at MSU on Aug. 5-7 for the STEM Summer Institute
1. Three amazing keynote speakers
Learn from Paul Andersen of Bozeman Science, Data Scientist Anne Marie Reinhold of MSU, and Antarctic Geoscientist Alexandra Isner of the National Science Foundation
2. Free stuff for teachers – we've heard about trading cards, stickers, free STEM kits, and some pretty killer door prizes
3. Earn up to 16 OPI renewal units or 1 MSU graduate credit - ‘nuff said!
4. Social time and networking – We know teachers love hanging out with and learning from other teachers, so this conference has an evening social with appetizers and drinks; extended lunch hours and snack breaks; and lots of time to wander the exhibit halls and just hang out with new and old friends
5. Come with your team - Buy 2 get one free promo going on.
With several breakouts during each session, your team can divide and conquer while spending quality time together to plan and prepare for the new year.
Don’t miss out on this amazing conference hosted by the Science Math Resource Center and School Services of Montana. Visit https://www.mt-schools.org/2024-stem-summer-institute.html
Registering just yourself? Here's a secret code from SMRC to save 10% off registration!
STEM10
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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Do you know any students who would like to be teachers? Please encourage them to become part of the Future Rural Educators’ Club. Students who are involved in the club get access to a state-wide community, sessions from MSU Faculty and Staff as well as educational leaders across the state. Students who are part of the club may also apply to attend a free summer camp on MSU Bozeman’s campus where they will learn college navigation strategies. For more information, please reach out to Marcie Reuer marcie.reuer@montana.edu | |
Montana State Hosts Inaugural Future Rural Educators' Summer Camp
Montana high school students and recent graduates, who are interested in pursuing careers in education, were the first participants in MSU’s inaugural Future Rural Educators’ Summer Camp. MSU hosted the camp as part of its Rural Teachers Pathways Program, which provides immersive experiences for students who are considering careers as teachers. The goal of the camp was to provide introductions to teaching, campus life, and leadership and community, according to Joe Hicks, assistant dean in the College of Education, Health and Human Development and co-leader of the Rural Teacher Pathways Program.
Read the full article here
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STEM opportunities for youth | |
Students participated in eight Geospatial Skills Camps across Montana
Science teacher Doree Thilmony from Thompson Falls High School teamed up with Montana State University (MSU) to run a summer camp teaching geospatial skills. Funded by an $85,000 grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the camp was part of MSU's push to promote STEM education in rural Montana.
Held in eight rural areas, including Thompson Falls, the camp introduced students to GIS (geographic information system) technology and its real-world uses. MSU provided the curriculum, featuring videos and virtual talks from experts, while local leaders customized content to fit their communities.
A follow-up GIS Day at MSU offered more learning, like drone demos and career insights. The camp aimed to spark students' interest in STEM careers and was a hit with participants.
Read more here
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Thanks for another great MSU Math Circle Camp!
The Science Math Resource Center at Montana State University hosted a summer math camp for middle and high school students highly motivated to succeed in advanced math. Students engaged with intriguing math problem-solving content not found in typical school curriculums. In addition to math lessons, participants visited innovative university labs, engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, and learned about the American Mathematics Competitions conducted by the Mathematical Association of America.
Website: Montana Math Circle
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Coming Soon! - American Mathematics Competitions Dates
Watch out for the upcoming American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) information coming soon! The AMC, organized by the Mathematics Association of America (MAA), are a series of three tests aimed at middle and high school students in grades 7-12. These tests focus on developing students' problem-solving skills and content knowledge.
To get updates on upcoming math events, sign up for the Montana Math Circle Newsletter
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Partner programs and opportunities | |
Montana Learning Center Hosts Stargazing Nights at the Largest Public-Use Observatory in Montana
For two more weekends this summer, the Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake will open its state-of-the-art astronomical park to the public. The park consists of three observatories housing five telescopes, including the largest public-use telescope in Montana. The park is the largest astronomical facility of its kind open to the public in the Northwestern United States.
Each event will begin after sunset with a presentation and question & answer session with one of the Learning Center’s experts, followed by a tour of the night sky using the Center’s world-class telescopes. Each night’s presentation and tour of the night sky will be different.
July 12 & 13: Professional astronomer and Mars Society Observatory Director Peter Detterline. As the Society’s Observatory Director, Mr. Detterline operates two telescopes, a solar observatory and a robotic observatory.
August 2 & 3: James Manning, retired Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, one of the nation’s leading organizations devoted to improving people’s understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of astronomy and space.
Attendance at each event is limited to 100 people and advance ticket purchase is required. Beyond the Big Sky is sponsored by Visit Southwest Montana, Visit Helena Montana and Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake.
Visit https://montanalearning.org/beyond-big-sky/
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Share the knowledge: Applied Quantum CORE
What do you know about quantum? Whether your answer is “a lot”, “a little” or “next to nothing,” we want to help you share the promise of this emerging industry with your students. Montana State University’s Applied Quantum CORE is a nationally funded program that supports MSU researchers and collaborators in developing and testing materials, networks and technologies that capitalize on unique physical properties that occur in particles at the very smallest scale. Revolutions in quantum technologies could impact national security, health, agriculture and nearly every industry. When you join our Montana Educators Quantum Forum, you will receive quarterly updates on free resources for teachers, opportunities for students, and news about quantum at MSU.
Join the Montana Educators Quantum Forum: http://bit.ly/MSUquantum-info
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Join SMRC when they present at the MFPE meeting on October 17-18 in Bozeman. Here are our sessions:
The Need for Photonics and Quantum: Introduction at the Secondary Level, Mark Craig (Gallatin College)
This session will describe what photonics and photonics technologies are and the critical role these technologies play in the burgeoning high-tech industry in the Gallatin Valley, across Montana, and throughout the nation. In addition, it will speak to the emergence of quantum and what are called "quantum adjacent" industries in the region, and what a rudimentary introduction of these new economy areas to secondary students might mean in the form of classroom teaching, labs, and specific curricular content.
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Five ways the MSU Science Math Resource Center can support YOU, Suzi Taylor
For more than 50 years, the Science Math Resource Center at MSU has offered sustained and coordinated professional development for Montana educators. Learn 5 ways (and maybe even more!) SMRC can help you partner with MSU; bring STEM resources to your classroom; and grow your own skills as an educator. Many free resources will be shared!
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How (and Why) to Bring Science Olympiad to Your School, Suzi Taylor
In Science Olympiad, teams of up to 15 middle or high school students compete in events related to a range of STEM topics, including chemistry, engineering, geography and more. Coaches report that SciOly attracts ALL kids to STEM while enhancing teamwork, leadership and research. Learn how—and why—to start a team at your school.
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SMART FIRES: K-12 Educational Content on Fire Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence, Jeannie Chipps and Suzi Taylor
This session will introduce educators to STEM activities and content from the Montana NSF EPSCoR Track-1 SMART FIRES project. SMART FIRES, which stands for Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Real Time Fire Science, is a research and education project to understand and improve the use of prescribed fire to manage wildfire and its impacts in Montana. Session leaders will share and facilitate activities related to building sensors, monitoring air quality, and machine learning and artificial intelligence. The goal of this session is that participants learn about these activities and other SMART FIRES resources that they can incorporate back into their teaching, classrooms, and other learning spaces.
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“Proficiency-Based Education: Shifting Toward a Student-Centered Model”
Jeannie Chipps (SMRC) and Genevieve Thomas (School Services of Montana)
Through the transformational learning grades and new accreditation requirements, Montana is joining a growing number of states that are emphasizing proficiency and competency based education models. By participating in this interactive session, participants will be able to articulate the key components of proficiency-based education (PBE) models, describe key organizational shifts involved in transitioning to a PBE model, discuss current national and state level PBE trends, and reflect on their beliefs and practices related to PBE.
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NSF Noyce Master Teaching Fellows Gathering and Luncheon, Fenqjen Luo
Our newly awarded NSF Noyce Master Teaching Fellows (MTFs) in Montana will come together to explore professional development opportunities, celebrate student and teacher excellence, and exchange ideas for developing STEM lessons rooted in funds of knowledge and culturally sustaining pedagogy. This gathering is sponsored by the NSF Rural and American Indian School Educators as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Leaders (RAISE STEM Leaders) project led by the Montana State University team.
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Exploring Our World with Mathematical Models, Fenqjen Luo
In this interdisciplinary workshop, discover activities that bring current events and top global challenges into the math classroom. Explore trends in the environment, global population and more using models, manipulatives and lively group work that build middle school math skills while exciting students about math connections to their lives and the larger world. Students gain practice creating and analyzing graphs, identifying mathematical patterns, working with probabilities and problem-solving strategies. Receive electronic lesson plans matched to state standards for math and science.
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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 | | | | |