Welcome to Brainstorms!, the monthly Montana STEM educators e-newsletter, brought to you by Montana State University's Science Math Resource Center. We share engaging opportunities for STEM educators across all grade levels, subjects, and settings. Stay informed about professional development workshops, grant opportunities, classroom resources, student STEM events and contests, and more!

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Last Chance to Apply for Your World Quantum Day (April 14) Classroom Kit
• Experience the Magic of Quantum with a Free Laser Light Show - April 16
• Bite-Size Science - Professional Learning with Suzi Taylor - April 17
• Plants and Pollinators Palooza - May 10
• Montana Math Circle Summer Day Camp - Register by June 13
• STEM Summer Institute - Register by July 10
• National Data Science Research Program - Apply ASAP
• Nanoscience Summer Institute - July 7-August 8 - Apply by April 26
• MFPE Educators' Conference - Apply to present by April 30
• Kids Camp Invention, Summer 2025 - Enroll now
• Using Aerial Observations to Understand Your Local Environment - Apply by June 5
• Drone Camps - July and August

Last Chance to Apply for Your World Quantum Day (April 14) Classroom Kit

Celebrate World Quantum Day (WQD) around April 14 by engaging your students in hands-on quantum activities with our free classroom kit. Supplies are limited—click the button below to order a kit ASAP. After our WQD teacher training in early April, resource downloads and the training recording will be available via the same link.

Questions? Contact Molly at molly.iversen@montana.edu.

Experience the Magic of Quantum

April 16 | Bozeman

Join us for a free laser light show celebrating World Quantum Day at 6:30 PM at Willson Auditorium, 404 W Main St., Bozeman.

Glenn Govertsen (“Mr. G”), a retired physics teacher, will perform this engaging show. No tickets or quantum knowledge needed—just bring your curiosity!

Learn more below or contact quantumeducation@montana.edu.

Our Quantum programs are led by the MSU Science Math Resource Center as part of the education and workforce development efforts of QCORE, Montana State University’s Applied Quantum CORE.

Plants and Pollinators Palooza

Citizen Science Event to Celebrate 75 Years of the NSF

SAVE THE DATE: May 10 | Bozeman

April is Citizen Science Month, but anyone can be a citizen scientist year-round! Join us on May 10th for Plants and Pollinators Palooza at the Bozeman Public Library, hosted by the Science Math Resource Center and Montana NSF EPSCoR. Explore Citizen Science projects focused on bumblebees and native plants.

This event is part of NSF STEM Day, celebrating 75 years of groundbreaking research, innovation, and public engagement in STEM. As proud partners of SciStarter and Science Near Me, we’re empowering people to connect with hands-on science projects that spark curiosity and fuel discovery.

Below are deeper dives on the included Citizen Science Projects which we highly recommend participating in even if you can't attend the May 10th event.

The Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) has developed a Citizen Botany program to update Montana’s aging dataset on rare plant locations—many of which haven’t been surveyed in 20 to 50 years. With over 400 such species across the state, MNPS members are stepping up to the challenge! Through training and fieldwork, volunteers are embarking on a botanical treasure hunt to rediscover these long-unseen plants and contribute valuable data for conservation.

The Bumble Bee Atlas is a citizen science project gathering the data needed to track and conserve bumblebees. Get involved by coming to the Plants and Pollinators Palooza or attending an online training.

National Data Science Research Program for Rural High School students

July 7 – August 8 | Virtual | Apply ASAP

• Open to incoming 9th–12th graders and rising college freshmen in rural communities (areas with populations of fewer than 10,000 people).
• Gain hands-on data science skills, conduct real-world research, and boost college competitiveness
• A limited number of scholarships will be awarded (i.e., FREE registration) + a $750 stipend upon program completion - so apply ASAP
• Provides expert mentorship from industry, government, and academia.
• Students will develop their own research projects using real-world data, culminating in presentations for college applications.

Offered by The Coding School in collaboration with Columbia University Data Science Institute.

Nanoscience Summer Institute for Middle School Teachers (NanoSIMST)

July 14-18 | Virtual via Zoom | Apply by April 26

• Learn about and teach nanoscience via this MSU-sponsored professional development
• Earn $800 course stipend and $300 for classroom implementation
• Get connected to valuable resources, including hands-on materials, instructional support, field trips, high demand career options for students, and more
• Title 1 and rural schools are encouraged to apply

MFPE Educators' Conference 2025

Call for Presentations open through April 30

Science educators are encouraged to share their knowledge with fellow educators at the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) Educators’ Conference, Oct. 16-17, 2025 in Missoula.

Kids Camp Invention 2025

June 16-20 | Bozeman

The American Computer & Robotics Museum is hosting Camp Invention for children entering grades 1-6 this summer at Headwaters Academy in Bozeman. Camp Invention is a nationally accredited, standards-aligned STEM summer camp designed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame to help students create, collaborate, and gain confidence through building prototypes and solving real-world problems. Space is limited, so enroll today!

Using Aerial Observations to Understand Your Local Environment

July 10, 24, 31 and August 7, 2025 | Virtual

Apply by June 5

Join NASA’s AEROKATS and ROVER Education Network (AREN) to learn how you and your students can collect and analyze remotely-sensed imagery and atmospheric data to study our changing Earth.

• Applicable to grades 5-12 educators
• Participants will conduct field missions, use NASA and GLOBE protocols, and access classroom-ready resources.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities are available throughout the year.
• Spots are limited!

MSU Science Math Resource Center is a partner on this NASA SciAct project.

Drone Camps | July and August 2025 | Billings

MSU-Billings summer STEM camps offer exciting opportunities for hands-on learning experiences that inspire future thinkers, creators, and problem solvers. Camps cost $250 each.

July 21-25 - MSUB/CC Drone Camp - Rising 8th to 12th graders - Build and operate drones

August 4-8 - Girls Drone Camp - 3rd to 6th graders - Fostering an inclusive learning environment

August 18-22 - CoEd Drone Camp - 3rd to 6th graders - Emphasis on collaboration and building

Contact elaine.westbrook@msubillings.edu for any additional information, including scholarships.