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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Math competitions come to MSU in November | |
Science Olympiad kick-off for coaches is Nov. 6 at 4:15pm - find out why this is a great program to bring to your school!
The Montana Science Olympiad State Tournament will be held at MSU-Bozeman on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, and registration is now open through Jan. 31.
In this team-based competition, middle and high school students from across Montana compete in 30 STEM events including Anatomy & Physiology, Fossils, Optics, Wind Power, Tower building, Codebusters, and more. The event at MSU also includes a free STEM night at the Museum of the Rockies, as well as opportunities to explore MSU’s labs and classrooms while meeting students and faculty in various STEM fields.
New coaches can visit Getting Started in Science Olympiad. An online presentation will be held Nov. 6 and will be particularly helpful for new coaches.
Register here for the new coaches' presentation.
For more info, email mtscioly@montana.edu or visit Montana Science Olympiad
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American Mathematics Competition 10/12B set for Nov. 12 at MSU; AMC8 in January 2025
The AMC, organized by the Mathematics Association of America (MAA), are a series of tests aimed at middle and high school students in grades 7-12. These tests focus on developing students' problem-solving skills and content knowledge. The Science Math Resource Center hosts these competitions at MSU at no charge to participants. AMC 10/12 are high-school level competitions, and AMC8 offers challenging questions up through 8th grade.
AMC 10/12 B: Nov. 12, 2024 - 10:30am - register by Nov. 7
(registration for AMC10/12 on Nov. 6 has closed)
AMC 8: Jan. 23, 2025 - 4:30pm
Registration is now open for the AMC 10/12B. Teachers who are interested in bringing a group of students should contact Jill Joyce at smrc@montana.edu. To get updates on AMC and other upcoming math events, sign up for the Montana Math Circle Newsletter
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Free presentation Nov. 13: Get up to $5000 for your own professional development (plus free grant writing help from a Montana grad!)
Join Victoria Miranda Thomson (a 2002 graduate of Cascade High School from Cascade, MT) as she hosts an information session for Fund For Teachers, a national program that grants individual teachers up to $5,000 (or a team of 2 teachers up to $10,000). She is a high school science teacher who has received the grant twice over the last 6 years. The Fund for Teachers program allows teachers to design their own professional development. It is open to any K-12 educator who spends at least 50% of their time in direct contact with students.
The information session is online on Wednesday, November 13, from 4 - 5 pm MT. Register here to join the Google Meet information session and receive support in your grant writing process.
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What is the Headwaters Tech Hub and how can it and its partners support STEM learning in Montana?
Projected to create 10,000 new jobs and generate $10 billion in economic activity, the Headwaters Tech Hub has secured $41 million — positioning Montana as a leader in innovation and technology.
On Oct. 1, a statewide call hosted by the Montana STEM Ecosystem featured:
- Tim Van Reken, Headwaters Tech Hub, along with
- Dani Buehler, Accelerate MT
- Suzi Taylor, MSU Science Math Resource Center
- Jason Yager, Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance
Speakers shared extensive statewide resources for educators and communities. You can watch the recording here or view the slides here to learn about STEM opportunities across Montana, particularly in high-tech fields such as smart photonic sensors, optics, quantum and more.
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National Science Foundation Noyce Master Teaching Fellows share new ideas with fellow educators at MFPE. New Fellows are still being recruited!
The NSF Noyce Fellowship project team hosted a luncheon gathering and orientation for prospective Noyce Master Teaching Fellows from rural and American Indian communities at the MFPE educators’ conference on Oct. 17-18. Additionally, MSU’s NSF Noyce Master Teaching Fellows led four amazing talks at the conference.
The MSU program is still recruiting Montana STEM teachers from high-need districts. They must have already completed a master’s degree or have completed 9 transferable graduate credit hours. All prospective fellows must attend an in-person orientation on the MSU campus before receiving the fellowship award.
For details, view the Noyce website and contact Dr. Fenqjen Luo at fluo@montana.edu
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Watch Brock LaMeres’ Keynote Session at MFPE:
Dr. Brock LaMeres was kind enough to be the keynote speaker for the Montana Science Teachers’ Association and gave a remarkable presentation about his research on re-configurable computers. His computer designs are slated to go to the moon in the next couple of months and will be instrumental in carrying out functions to establish moon-based infrastructure to put Mars explorations in the realm of possibility. This presentation will make you feel proud to be a Montanan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzq-BP5Enec
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On October 11, 2024 the Science Math Resource Center hosted a day-long convening on Quantum and Emerging Technologies along with MSU’s Applied Quantum CORE, Reach Higher Montana, the Work-based Learning Initiative and MSU’s NSF ENGINES program. Attendees included representatives from industry, higher education (including two-year, four-year, and Tribal colleges), and K-12 educators. Attendees reported learning specific examples of quantum technologies, needs of the quantum workforce, and insights into what is happening with these new technologies here in Montana.
"This convening was just outstanding. The more industry (any industry) and education can work together the more relevant learning is for our students. I believe Quantum and Photonics here in Montana has the opportunity to be not just an industry leader, but a model for how business and education can work together!"
- K-12 educator
To read more, check out this news article about the convening.
To join the email list for quantum-related opportunities, subscribe here
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Join Montana's STEM Ecosystem and register for Montana STEM Summit 2025
The Science Math Resource Center and many other organizations are supporting the new Montana STEM Ecosystem to gain a network of support for STEM in Montana. You can join for free, too!
The biennial Montana STEM Summit will be hosted April 3, 2025 in Helena. Registration is now open! Learn more and plan to attend.
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Save the date: The STEM Summer Institute is July 28-30, 2025 at MSU-Bozeman
Join us for Montana's premiere STEM conference for educators!
- Inspiring keynotes
- Networking and social events
- Exhibitor booths
- Lots of hands-on workshops by teachers, for teachers
- MSU Housing available at reduced rate
Presenter applications will open this fall.
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The SEES stands for STEM Enhancement in Earth Science. This summer intern program is a nationally competitive STEM experience for high school students. Interns will learn how to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen area of work, including astronomy, remote sensing, and space geodetic techniques to help understand Earth systems, natural hazards and climate science. SEES is open to 10th and 11th graders and the application deadline is Feb. 22, 2025.
This summer interns will complete distance learning modules prior to July 1 and work remotely June – July 5, guided by project mentors. The on-site internship will be July 6 – July 19, 2025. Housing, meals, and local transportation will be provided for those selected. All project teams will present their research during the Virtual SEES Science Symposium July 21-22, 2025.
If a student from Montana is selected to participate in the SEES program, MSGC can provide travel support to Texas for the on-site portion of the internship.
Apply for the SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Please contact msgc@montana.edu with any questions or award information.
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MSU helps support the rural teacher shortage with a free program for high school students: Bridge to College
The goal of our program is to help address the rural teacher shortage by identifying individuals from rural communities who may be interested in becoming teachers, provide them with resources and training to help them navigate the transition to college as well as creating a community of peers.
Students who take part in the program have access to college navigation resources or topics such as writing an effective scholarship application", how to budget personal finances during college and how to create a sense of belonging at college.
There are two components to our program:
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The Future Rural Educators' Club - an online community with synchronous meetings that emphasizes teacher and leadership skill development and
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The Future Rural Educators' Summer Camp where rising juniors and seniors attend an on-campus camp for one week in the summer to gain teaching experience, connect with post-secondary services and take part in leadership activities.
Our program is open to any high school student in the state who wants to be a teacher, and commitment to MSU is not a requirement. Contact Marci Reuer at marcie.reuer@montana.edu
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Invention Montana:
Shark Tank Meets Science Fair
Invent Montana brings innovation curriculum to K-12 inventors and entrepreneurs throughout the state of Montana. Students are asked to identify a unique problem in their world, build a solution to that problem, chronicle their journey to a successful solution, and present their invention to their peers and judges. Top Montana students advance to a multi-state virtual competition, whose winners then advance to RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals 2025, an in-person event where students from all over the country gather to showcase their inventions.
Montana signups are Jan 1-16, 2025. Parents and teachers get access to free curriculum. Optional free virtual training available to support parents and teachers.
Visit inventmontana.org or email hello@inventmontana.org
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Educator Resources and Partner Projects | |
Montana Space Grant Consortium is sponsoring two Montana 5-12 classroom teachers to attend the University of Texas at Austin, Center for Space Research's LiftOff Summer Institute in 2025. Sponsorship includes airfare to Houston, Texas and a registration fee of $1,250 (which includes lodging, meals and tours).
The LiftOff Summer Institute is a weeklong professional development training for teachers that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning through a space science theme supported by NASA missions.
Please visit MSGC's website for more information and application materials
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National Archery in the Schools Program Teacher Training Nov. 14 in Helena
NASP is an in-school program aimed at improving educational performance among students in grades 4 – 12. Students learn focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life.
Register for the November 14th NASP Teacher Training. To learn more, visit the NASP website
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Apply for the NCWIT AiC Educator Award, which identifies exemplary formal and informal educators who play a pivotal role in encouraging 9-12 grade women, genderqueer, and non-binary students to explore their interests in computing and technology. Rather than being a teaching award, this award honors those who work inside and outside of the classroom spaces to advocate for gender equity in computing by providing educational opportunities that are inclusive to – and supportive of – women, genderqueer, and non-binary students.
Applications are open until December 2, 2024
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Montana teachers:
Are you the next Einstein Fellow?
The Einstein Fellowship is an 11-month opportunity for K-12 STEM teachers to come to Washington, DC to inform federal policy. Current Fellows are serving on Capitol Hill, Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Library of Congress, NASA, NSF and other agencies.
Fellows spend 11 months working in a Federal agency or in a Congressional office. After the Fellowship, these exemplary STEM educators transfer their experiences into new ways to teach students and engage colleagues. Fellows receive: a stipend, travel allowance, education allowance and much more.
Applications are open until November 14, 2024
Visit the website or contact program officer Jill Latchana at Jill.latchana@orau.org
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Other Science Math Resource Center newsletters you may like
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Montana Citizen Science Network (quarterly) - subscribe
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Montana Girls STEM News (quarterly) - subscribe
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Montana Mathematics Circle (monthly) - subscribe
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Science Olympiad Coaches' Corner (monthly) - subscribe
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Welcome to New SMRC Intern, Jordan Moser!
Jordan is a senior at Montana State University, majoring in Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Management. Having grown up in Missoula, Montana, he developed a passion for the outdoors and wildlife, enjoying activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. During his time at MSU he competed for the Montana State University Men's Rugby Club. He is currently interning for the MSU Science Math Resource Center as well as the MSU Department of Ecology Vertebrate Museum. He also works as a legal assistant at a law firm, with plans to pursue a career in environmental law.
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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 | | | | |