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October 2013

Mini-Grants Open October 8

The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative Project will launch a mini-gr ants program on Oct. 8. Teachers, community groups and other organizations committed to collabo rating, informing and motivating girls are encouraged to apply. We are excited to announce that the 2013 MGSCP mini-grants pro gram is offered in partnership with the Women's Foundation of Montana.

Projects for consideration may include everything from a one-day event with a single classroom, to a youth organization partnering with a professional association, corporation or college, to an extended project of monthly meetings, or a summer camp. Organizations may apply for funding up to $2,000 and must have at least one partner. Both partners must be listed in the MGSCP online program directory, which is free and accessible at http://www.ngcproject.org/node/9459/programs

Learn more about the mini-grant program at http://www.ngcproject.org/node/9459/grants/. The online application system will open Oct. 8 (you won't see information before that date).

STEM Event

STEM! Imagine the Future

Join MGSCP and other STEM serving organizations on October 16 from 5pm to 9pm at the Museum of the Rockies to learn about STEM programs in the state.

The event focuses on the future of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and how it enhances college and career readiness in Montana. Vendors, presenters and exhibitors will provide information to support educators in engaging students in STEM. Participants will have the opportunity to experience hands-on activities and learn about resources they can use in a wide range of classroom environments.

Educators and community members who are interested in learning more about providing or supporting STEM Education are welcome to attend. The event is structured to allow for a flexible schedule and participants can navigate the exhibits, presentations, and vendors at their leisure from 5 pm to 8 pm. Join us from 8 pm to 9 pm for Montana STEM Ignite, a collection of five minute live presentations designed to energize participants about STEM Education.

Montana Girls STEM will present at 5:30 and 6:30 on Best Practices for Engaging Girls in STEM, including first-hand advice from middle school and high school girls.

This event is free, but pre-registration is required

https://sites.google.com/site/stemimaginethefuture/home

Come see MGSCP at MEA

Calling all educators!

The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative will be presenting at the Montana Educators' Association Conference on October 17-18 in Belgrade, MT. We will be sharing best practices for working with girls and the popular collaborative building activity, Speed Networking. Look for us at the 10:00 session on Thursday morning at Belgrade High School.

Champions Board Profile

Wendy Wigert

Wendy Wigert of Bozeman has been a Montana Girls STEM Champions Board member since our group was formed in 2012. She is Director of Operations with Montana Conservation Corps, a statewide non-profit organization serving throughout the Northern Rockies. Wendy and her husband Sven have a daughter, Svea, 13, and a son, Jack, 11.

Wendy graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Computer Science. She worked with Ernst and Whinney for three years before specializing in non-profit management. In addition to serving on the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative's champions board, Wendy has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Leadership Bozeman, Child Care Connections, Bozeman Youth Initiative, and the Greater Gallatin United Way and has done stints as a soccer mom.

Wendy says, "At Montana Conservation Corps, I get to work with a great bunch of people where we hope to inspire young people to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities.

My passion has always been serving with organizations focusing on youth
development. I believe that we can empower youth to realize their
potential to change the world in a positive way."

Thanks, Wendy, for all you do support Montana Girls STEM and youth across Montana!

Program Profile: CodeMontana

Subheading

CodeMontana is a statewide program for high school students that teaches computer programming and can reward them with cool prizes along the way. The goal is to prepare Montana Youth for high paying careers in technology here in Montana. CodeMontana starts September 17th, 2013, but students can sign up at any time until the end of April 2014. CodeMontana concludes at the end of the 2013-2014 school year.

Just sign up at the web site and then begin the self-paced software development curriculum online. All you need is a computer with internet access and a web browser. There is no fee to join and as you complete the fun modules, you will learn about computers, software development and be entered to win prizes based on your progress.

State of Girls and Women in STEM

A National Resource from NGC

The National Girls Collaborative offers "The State of Girls and Women in STEM." This NGCP resource presents the most compelling statistics for girls and women in STEM on one page. Statistics include information on K-12 Education, Higher Education, and Workforce and will be updated on a regular basis.
Download the publication at http://www.ngcproject.org/ngcp-publications-0

What's Happening

News, Opportunities and Events in Montana

Here's a cool apprenticeship opportunities for girls (or boys) who like math and working with their hands. Must be 18 and up.

http://act.aflcio.org/c/177/p/salsa/web/common/public/content?content_item_KEY=11405

Exploration Works' Girl-Tech started up again the first week of October. They have a Tuesday evening group and a Wednesday evening group, each with 16 5th grade girls who will be working with Circuits and Switches crafts and Robotics for 8 weeks this fall and 10 weeks in the winter-spring. Girls are selected from 'free and reduced lunch' enrollees. The program is free to all, with some help from the Helena Soroptimists. Current and past Girl-Tech girls will participate in the Women's STEM Roundup on Feb 22 (see info below)

FIRST Lego Robotics Teams - Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming have formed all girl robotic teams for girls ages 9-14. Limited space is remaining on the teams in Bozeman, Butte and Great Falls. Please contact JuDee O'Donnell at [email protected] by October 18 if you are interested in being a member of a robotics team in these communities.

Oct. 12, 2013 Bozeman. Girl Scout Badge day at MSU's College of Engineering. This event is hosted by the Women in Engineering Advisory Board and COE Dean's Office and is open to registered Girl Scouts. Please contact your troop leader for information.

Oct. 19, Billings: Amazing Race Girl Scout Style. Discover skills in orienteering and receive your own compass when you participate in this all girl program. Girls in K-3 and grades 4-5 will work as teams to navigate with a compass and use clues to find their next destination. Registration available at gsmw.org

Nov. 2 and 16, Helena: Bots and Bling - This collaboration between ExWorks and Girl Scouts of Montana & Wyoming offers an overnight science adventure at Exploration Works in Helena. Girls in grades 4-8 will learn to build and program their own robot and then create an electrified take-home craft project. Breakfast will be included.Registration available at gsmw.org

Nov. 16, Billings. Zoo Crew for girls in grades K-3. Zoo Montana is calling all animal enthusiasts to come to the zoo and meet the animal residents up close and personal and learn amazing biofacts too. Girls will also assist the zoo with a small service project. Register at gsmw.org

Nov. 16, Billings: Engineer That! for girls in grades K-5. By dreaming up creative and practical solutions, engineers are the changing the world all the time. Girl Scouts is partnering with CTA Engineers to explore what engineers do, tour their LEED office and engage in some hands-on activities. Montana Girls STEM leadership team member Allyn Harris will be conducting the tour and coordinating engineering and science-related outreach activities. If anyone has some availability to help during the activities portion of the morning, we could certainly use a few extra hands milling around and helping the girls with activities. This is a great way to get involved and help spark interest in STEM in these young ladies! If you are interested, please email Allyn at [email protected] or call her at 406-698-8563. Girls can register at gsmw.org

Dec. 3 and 10, Whitefish. Girl Scouts' Holiday Art Fusion. Dec. 3 for K-1 and Dec. 10 for Grades 2-5. Join Stumptown Art and learn the science and beauty of glass fusing. Girls will create unique holiday gifts and decorations by fusing glass. Register at gsmw.org

Dec. 14, Missoula. Girl Scouts' Holiday Art Fusion for grades K-12. Join Zootown Arts Community Center and learn the science and beauty of glass fusing. Girls will create unique holiday gifts and decorations by fusing glass. Register at gsmw.org

Feb. 22, 2014. The 3rd annual Women's STEM Round-up sponsored by ExplorationWorks and held at Carroll College. This day-long event features hands-on science, a keynote speaker, and great opportunities for girls and STEM women to interact. If you'd like to be a presenter or sponsor, please contact Amy Sheppard at [email protected]

Expanding Your Horizons at MSU-Bozeman. April 5, 2014. Hands-on STEM workshops for girls in grades 6, 7 and 8. For more information on becoming a sponsor or presenter, contact Nicole Soll at [email protected]

Peaks and Potentials Camp, MSU-Bozeman. June 15-20, 2014. A week-long camp for high-ability, high-potential youth in grades 5, 6 and 7. http://eu.montana.edu/peaks

Have a STEM event to share with our readers?

E-mail Martha Peters at [email protected]