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:

• Quantum Summer Academy for Teachers (apply TODAY - Feb. 28)
• STEM Summer Institute - Call for Presentations (due Mar. 15)
• Get ready for World Quantum Day with FREE classroom kits (apply by Mar. 16)
• Free Montana STEM & AI Education Summits (reserve your room by Mar. 3)
• Engage Girls in World Quantum Day
• Montana Math Circle Summer Day Camp
• April is Citizen Science Month
• WSTA Presents - Bite-Size Science Professional Learning with Suzi Taylor
• Connect with Us at the NSTA Conference in Philadelphia
• NASA-Inspired Student Program (apply by Mar. 15)
• Free NASA presentations to Montana schools
• Montana Environmental Educators Association (MEEA) Conference (Mar. 7-9)
• Geographic Education Grants (due Mar. 21)
• MFPE Educators' Conference
• NASA TerraRover workshop series (register by Mar. 31)
• Drone Camps

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.

Quantum Summer Academy for Teachers

June 17-21, 2025 | MSU Bozeman

Initial registration deadline: Feb. 28, 2025

Discover how the intriguing principles of quantum physics are revolutionizing the world of computing at our week-long summer camp designed for STEM educators. We are offering this exciting opportunity for teachers in partnership with Sandia National Lab's QCaMP.

Participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of computing while engaging in hands-on activities that explore the often-perplexing phenomena of quantum physics.

• No quantum background needed
• Explore cutting-edge science, technology, and engineering
• Go behind the scenes with exclusive lab tours
• Take home awesome STEM materials
• Get your travel costs reimbursed
• Bring quantum to life for your students with ready-to-use classroom activities
• Earn a gift card just for participating

Initial registration deadline is February 28, 2025, but applications will continue thereafter for remaining spaces. Click the button below to apply, or email QuantumEducation@montana.edu for more info.

You and/or your organization are invited to submit a proposal to be a presenter, and we would also appreciate your support in circulating the Call for Presentations to your networks.

Engage Girls in World Quantum Day

Webinar | April 1, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Mountain Time



QuantumGirls is a free, innovative STEM curriculum designed for middle school girls—developed by the National Girls Collaborative Project in collaboration with Montana State University’s Applied Quantum CORE and supported by the US Air Force Research Laboratory

Upcoming Webinar: Hear from Montana educators using QuantumGirls in their classrooms, explore hands-on activities, and get free resources to inspire your students—just in time for World Quantum Day (April 14) and the International Year of Quantum (2025)!

If you’d like to learn more about citizen science or hosting an event, contact Suzi Taylor, SciStarter Ambassador for Citizen Science, at taylor@montana.edu. The SciStarter Ambassador Program trains volunteers from all backgrounds to introduce citizen science to their communities. As libraries and community groups become hubs for citizen science, they need more support to engage the public. Ambassadors gain skills, experience, and access to professional resources to help foster citizen science programs and inspire community participation.

Connect with Us at the NSTA Conference in Philadelphia

Will you be at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conference in Philadelphia March 26-29? Please reach out to Science Math Resource Center director Suzi Taylor, as she will be there, too, and would love to say hello in person! taylor@montana.edu

🚀 NASA-Inspired Student Program

Application Deadline is March 15, 2025

Montana Aerospace Scholars is a NASA-inspired program for motivated high school students to explore aerospace, engineering, and planetary science—all while earning college credit!

• Hands-on NASA-Inspired Missions – Real-world problem-solving like NASA engineers.
• Mentorship from Experts – Learn from NASA professionals and university faculty.
• Exclusive STEM Opportunities – VIP field experiences, potential NASA internships, and scholarships.
• Join Montana’s Top STEM Scholars – Build a strong foundation for a future in aerospace.

Free NASA presentations to Montana schools

Montana Space Grant Consortium's Space Public Outreach Team (SPOT) provides FREE presentations about current NASA missions and research to Montana schools, youth programs, and community groups. This year's presentation is called "Black Holes: Monsters of the Universe". If you would like a SPOT Ambassador to come and give a presentation to your students, please make a request to spot.montana@gmail.com.

In the subject line please put the event name or name of school and the location. Here is an example - Subject: STEAM Night in Bozeman.

In the body of your email please include the following information:

• Your name
• Your email address and phone number
• Your school/organization
• What grade(s) the presentation will be for with the number of students/participants
• When you would like a presentation (please give as many options as possible)

Montana Environmental Educators Association (MEEA) Conference

March 7-9, 2025 | Carroll College, Helena, MT

Join us for our 33rd Annual Conference, focused on the theme "Roots of Tomorrow." We’ll gather to share ideas, stories, and insights that explore the critical issues shaping the future of our planet.

Educators, community leaders, and environmental advocates will unite in support of MEEA’s ongoing mission to advance environmental education throughout Montana.

We’re offering a range of engaging experiences designed to spark collaboration, learning, and action. Whether you’re attending for the first time or have been a long-time supporter, we can’t wait to connect, collaborate, and engage in meaningful conversations that will help nurture the roots of a more sustainable future.

MFPE Educators' Conference 2025

Call for Presentations open through April 30, 2025

Science educators are encouraged to share their knowledge with fellow educators at the Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE) Educators’ Conference, Oct. 17-18, 2025 in Missoula.

NASA TerraRover workshop series

May 6-8, 2025 | Virtual

Applications due March 31, 2025

Teachers: join this amazing NASA-supported workshop series: Exploring Surface Temperature using a NASA AREN TerraROVER. Join the AEROKATS and ROVER Education Network for three evenings in May to learn how your students can explore how surface materials impact local temperatures and produce phenomena such as the Urban Heat Island Effect. [The MSU Science Math Resource is an AREN partner at MSU].

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.