September 2024

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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.

We had a blast at STEM Summer Institute!

Thanks to the 175 educators, exhibitors and presenters who came to SSI24—it was our largest STEM Summer Institute yet!

Whether you were able to attend or not, the conference website still has lots of great information you can check out, including resources from presenters as well as links to all the exhibitors.


The Science Math Resource Center was proud to support exhibit booths and workshops for MSU's Applied Quantum CORE and Montana EPSCoR's SMART FIRES project (be sure to email us if you'd like slides or more info!) and we loved hearing from keynote speakers Dr. Anne Marie Reinhold of MSU, Dr. Alex Isern of the National Science Foundation and Paul Andersen, former Bozeman High science teacher and creator of BozemanScience YouTube channel [Hot Tip: Paul's slides for his keynote AND workshop are on the website!] We also hosted our first ever Quantum Preview Experience for Teachers with 1.5 days of lab tours, demonstrations and resources. If you're interested in next year's Quantum Preview, be sure to sign up here.


See you next summer for SSI25!

Congratuations, RET Teachers

Congratulations to the Year 3 cohort of MSU’s Research Experience for Teachers: Culturally Responsive Energy Engineering Education in Rural/Reservation Elementary Schools. Eight teachers from across Montana completed the six-week program – working in engineering laboratories and developing culturally relevant classroom resources that combine engineering education and Indian Education for All.  


Congratulations to: 

Sabre Alderete, Yaak - Yaak School  

Lynette Crasco, Billings - Broadwater Elementary School

Alfretta Jefferson, St. Xavier - Pretty Eagle Catholic Academy 

Betsy Loring, Cut Bank - H.C. Davis Elementary School

Stevie McNamee, Great Falls - Meadow Lark Elementary School

Kelsey Megerth, Billings - Orchard Elementary School

Karrie Pepos, Billings - Ponderosa Elementary School

Callie Ziegler, Cut Bank - H.C. Davis Elementary School



Read the news article here: Montana elementary teachers gather ideas to take home, thanks to summer program at Montana State

Become a Noyce Master Teaching Fellow

Now recruiting! Noyce Master Teaching Fellows through MSU

If you are:

  • a certified secondary math or science teacher
  • with a master's degree
  • serving a high-need school district in Montana
  • passionate about becoming a STEM Teacher Leader and supporting your school and community...


....you may be eligible to become a Noyce Master Teaching Fellow. The program includes

  • educator stipend for up to five years
  • free professional development
  • community of practice


Please contact Dr. Fenqjen Luo at fluo@montana.edu for more information about this fantastic fellowship program.

SMRC programs and resources

American Mathematics Competitions 10/12 set for Nov. 6 and 8 at MSU; AMC8 in January 2025


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. 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 A: Nov. 6, 2024

AMC 10/12 B: Nov. 12, 2024

AMC 8: January 22-28, 2025


Registration will open this fall. To get updates on AMC and other upcoming math events, sign up for the Montana Math Circle Newsletter

New Citizen Science Equipment at the MSU Library

The MSU Library has partnered with Montana NSF EPSCoR to obtain Celestial (Astronomy) Binoculars as part of its citizen science equipment library. These types of binoculars are great for astronomy beginners and those looking for portable equipment. (For serious star gazers and those wanting to view galaxies, these aren’t for you!) The dual lenses also offer relief for individuals who wear glasses. The binoculars are available at the Library Service Desk, come with a tripod, are available on a first come first serve basis, and check out for one week. Anyone in Montana may check out items from the MSU Library; you don't have to be an MSU student or staff member. 

 

To learn more, here are two good articles on the topic: 



To find citizen science projects related to astronomy, visit SciStarter.org and search “astronomy”  

Join Montana's new

STEM Learning Ecosystem


The Science Math Resource Center and many other organizations are supporing the new Montana STEM Ecosystem to gain a network of support for STEM in Montana. You can join for free, too!

HOT OFF THE PRESS! Quantum Under the Big Sky: Education and Workforce Development Report, July 2024 

Learn about educational pathways that prepare students for careers in emerging technologies. Authored by Jason Yager, executive director of the Montana Photonics and Quantum Industry Alliance, this new 12-page report outlines the state of the workforce in quantum and quantum-adjacent industries in Montana as well as an overview of the educational pathways that prepare Montanans for jobs in this emerging industry. The report also includes current gaps as well as opportunities for future growth.


Read the report here. 

See you at the MFPE meeting this fall

The Science Math Resource Center will be presenting at the Educators' Conference Oct 17-18 in Bozeman. Come see us at:



Five ways the MSU Science Math Resource Center can support YOU

Thursday, Oct. 17, 10am


How (and Why) to Bring Science Olympiad to Your School

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2pm


The Need for Photonics and Quantum Introduction at the Secondary Level

Friday, Oct 18, 8am


SMART FIRES: K-12 Educational Content on Fire Science, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence

Friday, Oct. 18, Noon


Proficiency-Based Education: Shifting Toward a Student-Centered Model

Friday, Oct. 18, 1pm


Exploring Our World with Mathematical Models

Friday, Oct. 18, 3pm


Please also support (and learn from) the Aspiring Educators of MSU:

Inspiring Through Example by club officer B.J. Cross

Thursday, Oct. 17, 3pm


New Perspectives from the MSU Aspiring Educators

Friday, Oct. 18, 9am

The Montana Science Teachers Association offers several sessions, too:


MSTA New Teacher BreakfastThursday, Oct. 17, 8am: All new teachers are welcome! Meet fellow teachers from across the state and solidify connections that will support you in your career. 


MSTA Luncheon and business meetingThursday, Oct. 17, Noon: Join MSTA members for a networking luncheon and business meeting. Learn about issues and opportunities in science education and build community around current topics in Montana science classrooms.  


Share-a-Thons for Chemistry, Earth Science, Elementary Science, Life Science, Middle School Science and Physics (scheduled throughout the conference): Share with, learn from, and collaborate with fellow instructors! Bring two of your favorite lesson plans or resources to share, learn new tips and ideas from colleagues, and go home with a dozen new ideas you can implement on Monday morning. 


Plus many other excellent presentations and demonstrations by MSTA members. 


Learn more about MSTA



Register for the MFPE Educator Conference


Educators....Montana State University is eager to share resources with teachers. Please help MSU help YOU by telling us what resources you would find most valuable. The survey will take less than 5 minutes. Thank you!


Tell us here how MSU can help you

Youth STEM Opportunities

NSF Game Maker - Youth Video Game Design Competition


The NSF Game Maker Awards for grades K-12 commemorate NSF's 75th anniversary by engaging students in a video game design challenge.



The challenge aims to make STEM subjects exciting and accessible, encouraging students to imagine life in the year 2100 and the role science and technology will play in shaping the future.


Learn more

Educator Resources and Partner Projects

Free Educator Workshop on energy education: Billings, Sept. 14

Earn a $100 stipend and free classroom kit

The National Energy Education Development Project is partnering with Phillips 66 to provide teachers with a free one-day workshop focused on energy education in Billings on September 14. The workshop is free, and attending teachers will be provided a $100 stipend and a free classroom kit. 


Who Should Attend? 

• 4th – 12th Grade Science Teachers 

• CTE Teachers 

• Math Teachers 

• Social Science Teachers 

• Afterschool program leaders 


Register here

Apply to be a part of STEM in the Rockies - Flight Edition - October 4-5. Apply by Sept. 20.


The Montana Department of Transportation - Aeronautics Division is teaming up with the Montana Learning Center to offer a unique opportunity for teachers to be on the forefront of STEM education, right here in Montana! Come experience aviation-based, engaging hands-on curricula that will get you and your students excited about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in aviation. This STEM in the Rockies workshop includes an introductory flight in one of the Aeronautics Division’s aircraft, tours of military and civil aviation facilities, classroom giveaways, and lodging/meals at the Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake.


Participating teachers will earn 20 Montana Office of Public Instruction renewal units and return home with an array of aviation-themed student activities.


Space is limited to 18 participants, so apply today! Applicants must be STEM teachers who work in formal classrooms in Montana. Applications are due September 20th, and applicants will be notified of acceptance shortly after. 


The STEM in the Rockies workshop is proudly designed and delivered by Montana pilots and teachers. Taught by award-winning science instructors Dr. Walt Woolbaugh and Ryan Hannahoe, this course is fully funded by the Montana Department of Transportation - Aeronautics Division.

STEM teachers: Get paid to write phenomenon-based items for Montana OPI. Apply by Sept. 20


Item Writing: This is an opportunity for educators to write phenomenon-based items for standards-based items for potential use in Montana’s item pool.



Dates: October 8 and 9, 2024

Times: 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Stipend: $200 per day


This meeting will be held virtually.



Please follow this link to apply. Submissions are due back to OPI by September 20.

Free MSU PD and graduate credits for middle school educators. Register by Sept. 30.

MSU is offering a 6-month opportunity for informal and formal educators to get trained in new Montana-centric, standards-based disease ecology lessons. Ready-made IEFA-connected lessons include water, microbes, air pollution and more. You can earn a $500 stipend, travel support, and 24 OPI renewal credits or 2 graduate degree credits, plus all the materials you need to run the classes. Deadline to sign up for more information is September 30. Visit https://tinyurl.com/3e2rnumb or contact Jamie Cornish at jcornish@montana.edu for more information.

NASA Educator and Student Resources


NASA provides many learning resources for Educators and Students, including lessons, experiments, videos, and activities relating to NASA and STEM. In addition, these projects include educator guides to aid Educators through lessons.


Explore the resources

NASA’s Next Gen STEM Career Day Sept 23-27....register by Sept. 5.


A week long interactive virtual event. With virtual tours of NASA facilities, a NASA recess station, and a Live Q&A panel with NASA experts on Thursday (Sept 26th). This event is open to both formal and informal education organizations.

 

Get registered! Educators are required to register by 9/5/2024.


Find out more


NASA Observe the Moon Night Sept 14

An annual event to come together and observe the moon. There are observing events throughout Montana, including Helena, Great Falls, and Preston. You can even host your own event through NASA.

 

There are many ways to appreciate our moon. You can simply look up at the moon, create moon art, or use NASA resources to take a virtual tour of the moon. Find out more.

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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