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.
Whether you teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics or something else related, this newsletter is for you. Please forward to a colleague and encourage them to subscribe – including your school administrators and school counselors, too!
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Fall STEM professional development | |
>> Watch for us at MFPE! Sessions mentioned in this newsletter are marked with a >> | |
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Science Olympiad Coach Kickoff: Nov. 1
Whether you're a veteran of Science Olympiad or just want to see what it's all about, join us online on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 4pm. We'll break out into new and returning coaches, then learn about this year's events, schedule and tips for succeeding as a coach The 2022-23 Montana events are now posted!
Register for the coaches' workshop here
Subscribe to our Science Olympiad e-newsletter
>> Watch our video presentation at the MFPE Educators Conference, Thursday, Oct. 20 9am <<
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MSU Research in Action Series (FREE!)
Join the SMRC for a free after-school workshop series that will connect you with MSU researchers to talk about their story in science and their research. We are hoping to work with teachers to consider how you can use the stories and research to create a unique experience for your students. You can register for each monthly workshop separately. OPI renewal units are available for participating.
The next workshop is Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 4pm to 5pm.
Learn more
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Sensing for Science program offers free Arduino coding resources
The Sensing for Science Professional Development Program for Teachers is a new program that teaches educators how to use Arduino tools and create an electrical device that can collect data on water quality and simulates the research being done by the National Science Foundation EPSCoR program.
This training program was developed by middle school teacher Susie Fisher Dobkins and Kayce Williams, an SMRC team member who is also an instructor in the MSU Department of Agricultural and Technology Education. The program was first taught at the 2022 STEM Summer Institute, and all resources, including more information about how educators can receive their own kit, can be found for free on the Sensing for Science program webpage.
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MSU offers free graduate-level courses on Proficiency-based Education in Spring 2023
In April 2021, the Montana Legislature approved funding to strengthen the preparation of the state’s educators to understand and implement proficiency-based/competency-based education. One of the ways to do this is by offering graduate level courses at NO COST to current in-service teachers or school leaders. Please note these courses count toward a master’s degree and carry expectations consistent with a 3-credit graduate level course.
Course Description
A multitude of schools, districts, and entire states, such as New Hampshire, are shifting away from the traditional, time-based, Carnegie model of instruction. These innovators, including some rural schools in Montana, are developing and implementing what the Federal Department of Education identifies as Competency-Based Education (CBE). CBE includes personalized, mastery, project-based, and blended and/or virtual teaching/learning. This course will introduce future and practicing educators to these various teaching/learning modalities and prepare educators to compete for employment in these schools and districts or prepare educators to implement these modalities in their own classes/districts.
To learn more about the course and how to register, please complete this brief Google form.
>> Hailey Hancock of MSU presents Proficiency-Based Education: The Inquiry Design Model and MT SS Standards -- 3pm on Thursday, Oct. 20 at MFPE <<
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Citizen Science ideas for your class
On Sept. 23, our Science Math Resource Center team field-tested two citizen science activities with sixth graders from Bozeman's Chief Joseph Middle School.
iNaturalist: Students collected and observed insects using various scientific tools, then uploaded the insect photos (including this spotted tussock moth) and geo-locations to iNaturalist. Later, two independent scientists identified the moth photo, and our photo was classified as "research grade.
Microplastics Pollution Monitoring Program: Students measured microplastics in water and sediment and sampled water quality for nitrates and phosphates. We later received an email directly from Oceans First Institute thanking us for the data contributions!
Both projects can be found on SciStarter.org or we would be happy to tell you more about them! Email [email protected]
We also recommend FungiQuest - a North American BioBlitz that continues through Oct. 15.
How to learn more
Subscribe to our Citizen Science Newsletter to stay in touch.
>> Aspiring Educators of MSU present Citizen Science Across the Curriculum on Friday, Oct. 20 at 11am at MFPE and SMRC's Jeannie Chipps presents Citizen Science as a Tool to Develop STEM Identity Video on Demand through MFPE -- Friday at 2pm <<
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After 5+ years with the Science Math Resource Center, we say goodbye to Ehsan Salam. If you were a Science Olympiad coach or attended one of our conferences or workshops, you would have interacted with Ehsan via phone, email or in person. We appreciate his years of dedication to STEM teachers and students, and wish Ehsan well in his next endeavors.
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American Mathematics Competitions to be held at MSU in November
The Science Math Resource Center will host two AMC 10/12 tests in November (A and B). The AMC 10 exam covers the high school curriculum through grade 10. AMC 12 covers the high school curriculum, including trigonometry, advanced algebra and advanced geometry, excluding calculus. Both are 25-question, 75-minute tests. Registration is free for Montana students.
Students may take Test 10A or 12A on Nov. 10 and/or Test 10B or 12B on Nov. 16 (the A and B tests are similar; just offered on two different days. Students may take either or both). Both tests are in person this year at MSU, not online as they were during COVID. Test A is Thursday, Nov. 10 at 4:30PM and Test B is Nov. 16 at 4:30pm.
Registration opens Oct. 10. Please email [email protected] for more information.
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MSU offers free resources for teaching about social media
The MSU Center for Science, Technology, Ethics & Society, through its Social Media Project, is offering free access to short video lectures and other resources for teaching about social media to middle and high school students. The Social Media Project aims to help students think critically about social media and the role it plays in our lives, including an understanding of the science behind social media and how aspects of the technology work.
The curriculum is based on encouraging students to ask questions, critically reflect, and engage in respectful dialogue to explore challenging questions about the potential harms and benefits of the ways in which social media is used.
Topics include:
- Identifying disinformation, computer-generated images, and fake videos on social media
- Understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Learning about algorithms and how are they used on social media
- Friendship, bullying, and social media
Access free curriculum materials and resources.
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National Nanotechnology Day is Oct. 9; vote for MSU in the photo contest
Thanks to our friends with MONT - the Montana Nanotechnology Facility for sharing these educational resources!
In celebration of National Nanotechnology Day (Oct. 9), the 16 sites of the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) have sponsored a photo contest. These photos are made at universities across the US. There are 3 categories for submission: Most Stunning (may be false-colored), Most Unique Capability (a microscope or tool that has unique functions), and Most Whimsical (artistic license applied to a base image).Take a look at these magnificent and fun images and try to guess what they are before reading the descriptions! Vote for your favorite in each category. MSU has one submission in the Most Unique Capability category - Look for It’s slime! Cryo-SEM image of bioengineered human gastric mucus. Be sure to vote for MSU!
And.....
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2023 BIG SKY REGIONAL SCIENCE BOWL
The Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration announces the 2023 Annual Big Sky Regional Science Bowl, which will be held on March 9 (Middle School) and 10 (High School) at MSU-Billings. The competition is open to all Montana middle and high schools. Home schools are also welcome.
Science Bowl is an academic tournament, with regional events held across the country, that challenges students’ knowledge of math and science in a fast-paced quiz competition. The tournament is run in a round-robin style during the morning with the high scoring teams advancing to a double-elimination game in the afternoon. To win, a team must work together to quickly and accurately answer toss-up and bonus questions while following the rules of play. Teams consist of four or five high school students (only four team members will be playing at any time). The coach can be a teacher, parent, or community volunteer. At the end of the tournament day, the first-place teams are awarded a trophy and the opportunity to go on an all-expenses-paid trip to compete at the National Science Bowl held outside of Washington, D.C. The trip includes sight-seeing and educational visits to museums and monuments in Washington, D.C.
For more information, see the National Science Bowl website and reach out to Nilo Cabrera at [email protected].
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Teachers: Earn $25 for helping with a research project
Liesel Christensen is a doctoral student at Idaho State University conducting research through seeking the perspectives of secondary science teachers from UT, MT, ID, and WY about their successes/barriers in implementing NGSS aligned standards into their classrooms and access to/thoughts on professional learning resources and training. Each research survey participant will receive an online $25 Amazon gift card in January when the survey closes. It should take 30-40 minutes of your time to complete.
Here is the secure survey link through ISU Qualtrics. Or you can copy and paste this link into your browser. https://isu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lmLvqAr6nyEwf4
Questions? Email [email protected].
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Attention High School Juniors & Seniors - Join the Montana Aerospace Scholars today!
Applications are due October 21.
The Montana Aerospace Scholars (MAS) program was designed in partnership with NASA, University of Washington, and the Museum of Flight. The goal is to give high school juniors across the Treasure State access to unparalleled learning opportunities in Earth and Space Science, space exploration, and related careers.
The MAS program is offered in two parts; the first is a free online course offered in partnership with NASA, Museum of Flight and the University of Washington. Participants who complete the first phase are eligible to participate in a six-day summer residency at the Montana Learning Center in Helena. There, students have the opportunity to discover the Treasure State’s aerospace industry through behind-the-scenes aerospace company tours and presentations from STEM experts.
Students who complete Phase One of the program have the option to earn five science credits from the University of Washington. In addition to lessons in Earth and Space Science and NASA history, MAS offers opportunities to interact with STEM industry professionals, hands-on engineering activities, and a national alumni network which tracks student progress from high school until after college graduation. Many of our MAS alumni are currently involved in a STEM college or career pathway!
View Montana Aerospace Scholars FAQ (PDF file) or go to Montana Aerospace Scholars Registration
Contact Ryan Hannahoe, executive director of the Montana Learning Center, at [email protected] or (406) 475-3638.
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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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