SMART FireS Smoke Vulnerability GIS Mapping Project
Kristen Intemann, Professor of Philosophy and Director for the Center for Science, Technology, Ethics, and Society (C-STES) at Montana State University (MSU), is working with graduate students in Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) at MSU to construct maps to analyze which communities and Tribal Nations are particularly impacted by both wildfire smoke and smoke from prescribed burns in Montana and across the U.S.
Women in STEM Feature: Libby Metcalf
Learn more about Libby Metcalf, her work on EPSCOR projects, and what inspired her to pursue a career in science!
SpectrUM Day of Smoke and Fire Science
Students from Polson and Ronan High Schools on the Flathead Reservation visited the University of Montana on January 29, 2024, for a day of smoke and fire science with SMART FIRES. During a morning field trip to spectrUM Discovery Area, UM’s hands-on science center, the students explored the concept of the fire triangle and experienced a matchstick “forest” simulation, activities from the USFS’s FireWorks curriculum.
Sensors Across the Curriculum: Modules Developed for K-12 Classrooms
At Montana State University, the Science and Math Resource Center (SMRC) and the EDU 370 class (Integrating Technology into Education) partnered to build the capacity of 45 undergraduate, pre-service teachers in their thinking about integrating sensors into diverse classrooms. SMRC supplied the class with microcontrollers (Circuit Playground Express) and any additional accessories for each member of the EDU 370 class.
Montana STEM Summit 2023 findings and next steps will be presented online Dec. 12
Key findings from the 2023 Montana STEM Summit will be shared in an online presentation on Tuesday, Dec.
Project Highlight: "The Future Isn't Written"
Dr. Arica Crootof of UM Western assists in a project surrounding effective communication about contamination and remediation efforts of the Warm Springs Ponds at the headwaters of the Clark Fork River.
Online college simulation game introduces players to STEM concepts and pathways
The online learning game, Crash Course, is a virtual college simulation that introduces players to various STEM concepts and pathways.
Sensing for Science Program teaches educators how to code and collect data on water quality
The Sensing for Science Professional Development Program is a free online course that teaches educators how to use an Arduino microcontroller to create an electrical device that collects data on water quality.
NSF EPSCoR research helps demonstrate Proficiency-based Education for STEM teachers
When Montana State University educator-trainer Jeannie Chipps needed an authentic Montana research project to use as a model for teaching Proficiency Based Education, she turned to Montana NSF EPSCoR researcher Rob Payn.
CREWS Graduate Students Present at Diving into Data Workshop
CREWS graduate students Riley Logan and Megan Moore presented their research at a Diving into Data workshop hosted by the Science Math Resource Center in February
Upcoming Events
spectrUM Discovery Area
All Under One Roof (AUOR) Air Wildfire and Smoke Event
spectrUM and partners will have wildfire and climate-related activities and content from 3-5pm on April 25 for the public to learn and enjoy.
Virtual
Wildfires and Air Quality - Providing a Relevant Portal to Get Audiences Invested in the Conversation
During this online workshop hear from partners engaging audiences of all ages in Earth and climate science through activities that take a closer look at the scientific and societal impacts of wildfires.
Online
Free Citizen Science Webinar April 30 features Montana NSF EPSCoR
Citizen science is science for everyone! Specifically, citizen science is when the public voluntarily helps conduct scientific research. From sharing photos of nature to help scientists document biodiversity to browsing images on your computer to help speed up research about Alzheimer's disease, each of these acts of science is important.
spectrUM Discovery Area
All Under One Roof (AUOR) Air Wildfire and Smoke Event
spectrUM and partners will have wildfire and climate-related activities and content from 3-5pm on April 25 for the public to learn and enjoy.
Virtual
Wildfires and Air Quality - Providing a Relevant Portal to Get Audiences Invested in the Conversation
During this online workshop hear from partners engaging audiences of all ages in Earth and climate science through activities that take a closer look at the scientific and societal impacts of wildfires.
spectrUM Discovery Area
Brushstrokes of Change First Friday Art Show
spectrUM will host a public “gallery opening” style show on May 3 from 5-7 pm which will feature the climate art installation created by Big Sky High School 10th graders.