|
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.
| |
Teachers: Tell us what you need and win a prize!
Deadline June 10, 2024
Montana K-12 teachers of all subjects and grade levels: We are here to support you, but we need to know: what do you need in terms of professional development, classroom equipment and other resources that will help you and your students?
Now through June 10--answer our online survey and you could win one of:
- Four $100 Amazon gift cards
- Twenty $25 Amazon gift cards
That's a lot of prizes! Think of all the great stuff you could buy! And more importantly, you are helping to shape the future of how the Science Math Resource Center can support you as teachers. This survey is designed to gather actionable data about your professional learning needs, preferences, and barriers. Thanks you.
Take the Educator Needs Assessment survey here
| | |
STEM Summer Institute 2024 | |
|
Join us at Montana's premiere STEM conference, the STEM Summer Institute, Aug. 5-7 at MSU
Educators, plan to join us on the MSU campus this summer for the sixth annual STEM Summer Institute featuring keynote speakers Paul Andersen of Bozeman Science and Ann Marie Reinhold of MSU. This event features compelling workshops and breakout sessions, shared meals and networking, exhibitor booths with lots of freebies and inspiring speakers.
New promo: Come with your team! If two teachers register from the same district, get a third registration FREE
Registering just yourself? Here's a secret code from SMRC to save 10% off registration!
STEM10
The STEM Summer Institute is hosted by the MSU Science Math Resource Center, School Services of Montana and many partner organizations.
| | |
|
MSU Math Circle Camp June 17-20 offers math problem-solving for middle and high schoolers
The Science Math Resource Center at Montana State University is hosting a summer math camp for middle and high school students highly motivated to succeed at advanced math. The camp focuses on intriguing math problem-solving content not found in typical school curriculums. In addition to math lessons, participants visit innovative university labs, engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, and learn about the American Mathematics Competitions conducted by the Mathematical Association of America.
Tuition is kept low by generous contributions from the College of Education, Health, and Human Development, The MSU Center for Faculty Excellence, and the Mathematical Association of America. MSU housing is available to families traveling from communities across the state.
At-a-Glance:
Dates: June 17-20
Time: 9am-4pm
Tuition: $220
Contact: MSU Science Math Resource Center smrc@montana.edu or (406) 994-7476
Website: Montana Math Circle
| | |
Help build a STEM Ecosystem in Montana • Statewide call May 15
The Science Math Resource Center is one of several partners supporting the Montana Afterschool Alliance as they work toward forming a STEM Ecosystem in Montana. STEM ecosystems are networks of organizations that work together and support one another to advance STEM learning opportunities for young people.
Join us on May 15 at 11am to hear from a panel of STEM Ecosystem leaders:
- Colorado STEM Ecosystem 2.0
- Idaho STEM Ecosystem
- Utah STEM Action Center
- STEM Learning Ecosystems Community of Practice, TIES
Together we will gain insight into best practices, challenges, and opportunities to grow STEM learning across the big sky.
Register for the call today
The Montana STEM Ecosystem builds upon previous Montana STEM Summits. To learn more visit: www.mtafterschoolalliance.org/stem-ecosystem
| | | | |
|
Congratulations, Science Olympians!
Congratulations to Hamilton High School and Corvallis Middle School -- both repeat state champions who will be heading to National Science Olympiad at Michigan State University. For a full list of winners, see this MSU News Article.
If you are curious about coaching a Science Olympiad team next year, watch our "Getting Started" video and sign up for our coaches' newsletter.
| | |
Partner programs and opportunities | |
NEW at MSU: Online, one-year certificate: Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate (ESL and TESOL)
Hello teachers! The Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education at Montana State University is launching the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Certificate program. We are in the ESL Teaching Endorsement approval process with the state but are able to launch this certificate now. Please share with your teachers, principals, and other stakeholders. Our first class begins May 15, and the deadline to register is May 8. Dr. Rebecca Turk has designed the program to be online, completed in one year, and considerate of in-service teaching demands. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to continuing to serve teachers and students with continuous education. Please feel free to reach out with any questions (Dr. Rebecca Turk, rebecca.turk@montana.edu)
Learn more
| |
STEM STRONG seeks rural teachers of grades 3-5 for paid professional learning opportunity (we still need more Montana teachers!)
- Receive targeted support from professional learning providers focused on NGSS-aligned science and engineering instruction.
- You will be eligible to receive a $1600 stipend in exchange for full participation in activities during the 2024-25 school year.
- Have the opportunity to continue learning with this professional community while receiving additional stipends and modest supports through the 2025-26 school year.
- Contribute to the empirical research about professional learning outcomes for K-12 educators.
Visit this site to express your interest
| |
|
|
Free online summer graduate course for Montana teachers* Computer Science in the Classroom: Computational Thinking for Teachers (CSCI 581, 2 credits)
This virtual (synchronous) course examines the computing field and how it impacts the human condition. Exciting ideas and influential people are introduced. A gentle introduction to computational thinking using the Python programming language is provided. The course also introduces participants to robotic platforms. Offered virtually July 8–July 12, 2024, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm daily. Taught by MSU-Bozeman Computer Science Faculty, Hunter Lloyd.
*Full tuition stipend available for teachers in Montana who submit a letter of support from an administrator and a brief letter of intent.
Visit the MSU MSSE program website for registration, application and other information: montana.edu/msse or msse@montana.edu. (NOTE: you can take MSSE classes as a non-degree seeking student—you do not need to be admitted to the MSU Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program to take this course.)
| | | |
Free Professional Virtual Coaching for Out-of-School Educators - last chance this spring - May 8
ACRES is a nationally recognized virtual coaching program that builds knowledge and skills so afterschool educators, librarians and anyone who works with youth in out-of-school settings can confidently facilitate STEM experiences for youth. Participating in the ACRES series will help afterschool educators build facilitation skills and confidence in STEM. Cohorts start in April and May.
The program leaders with the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance tell us they've never had a participant from Montana, and they want to change that! Check it out and apply!
-
The final cohort begins May 8 and runs for three sessions. Use COHORT ID: AC362PQ
Visit acrescoaching.org or contact acres@mmsa.org for more information
| | | |
|
FireWorks class in Missoula June 11-12
Register for a free workshop on June 11-12 at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory. The class consists of two intense days of entertaining hands-on activities for teaching students about wildland fire behavior, ecology, management and activities related to traditional fire use by Native Americans. Content will focus on ecosystems in the Northern Rocky Mountains and North Cascade range, but the program has been adapted for use in other ecosystems. The FireWorks program is a valuable resource for teachers (teacher renewal credits or University of Montana credit available), youth leaders, agency educators and fire prevention specialists, communication specialists, and outdoor educators. For more information or to register, visit https://www.frames.gov/fireworks/home or email Court Johnson
| | |
|
Teachers: Join the Clean Energy Fellow program - summer stipend!
CE is accepting applications from educators across the Pacific Northwest to join two cohorts of Clean Energy Fellows in the Pacific Northwest. These cohorts are open to formal and informal educators and those working in educational support to develop.
-
The Clean Energy Fellows in the PNW Power Grid Cohort work with CE to develop a regionally specific Action Plan focused on STEM energy topics and current and future power grid challenges. These Fellows receive a $5000 stipend and $2000 materials budget along with CE support in co-developing lessons.
-
The Clean Energy Fellows in the PNW Offshore Wind Cohort work to review and refine innovative and equitable tools for engaging students in the rapidly innovating Pacific Northwest offshore wind energy sector. These Fellows receive a $5000 stipend and $2000 materials budget along with CE support, as well as connections from leaders in workforce development and industry partners.
Each Clean Energy Fellow will develop unique programming that leverages community relationships, regional energy resources, place-based energy and justice challenges, and industry expertise.
This opportunity is only open to educators located within a customer-owned BPA utility (mainly Western Montana). Use this map to check or email Rosemary Lopez.
| |
|
An ocean-inspired robotics season is upon us!
The ocean is more than what you can see on the horizon. Beneath the surface lies our planet’s most complex ecosystems, full of life and potential for exploration and learning. And like in our global robotics community, each ocean inhabitant has a role to play in building a thriving environment.
The 2024-2025 ocean-inspired robotics season will soon wash ashore: Program registration opens May 15 in the FIRST Dashboard. There are programs for all ages. Learn more about FIRST DIVE by Qualcomm.
For more information, contact Edward Huth (Ed), President of the Montana Robotics Alliance
Edh@mtroboticsalliance.org
| | |
|
|
Engage your students and community in actions that address pressing environmental issues Deadline June 2
Through federal funding opportunities of up to $5,000, NOAA Planet Stewards will support formal and informal educators working with elementary through college age students, and the public, to carry out hands-on stewardship projects. Stewardship projects must make a substantive, and quantitatively measurable impact on an environmental issue related to the educator’s community. Projects should focus on the conservation, restoration, and/or protection of human communities and/or natural resources from environmental issues in one of the following four focus areas:
- Marine debris mitigation/removal
- Habitat conservation and restoration
- Carbon footprint reduction
- Carbon sequestration
Learn more
| | |
Thanks to a Brainstorms! reader for this recommendation: Humble Bundle offers games, books and software donated by companies to support various charities. I'm a big fan of Make magazine and books. This latest offer from Make allows Humble Bundle to contribute to Girls Who Code. The books offered are texts that really target the STEM domain. Check it out here. | |
|
STEM opportunities for youth | | |
|
|
STEM essay contest - closes June 10
Naval Horizons introduces students to cutting-edge STEM topics that impact the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps – to include autonomy, oceanography, cybersecurity, undersea medicine, and more. We invite students to learn about Naval STEM challenges and our scientists and engineers through this video series. Then, we encourage students to write an essay explaining how our research and our people inspire them. This contest challenges students to picture themselves in a STEM career by designing the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps of the future. Visit https://www.navalhorizons.us/
| | |
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 | | | | |
