SMART FIRES Year 2 Highlights 2025 - Special Edition Newsletter
This special edition provides an overview of the SMART FIRES project’s second-year achievements, highlighting its interdisciplinary research on prescribed fire using sensors, AI, and community engagement. It showcases progress across it's four research thrusts, welcomes new team members, and recognizes early-career researchers. Broader impacts include a summer educator workshop at MSU and STEM outreach at the Powwow.
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UM is clearing the air in the West
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Future teachers explore citizen science at MSU
Pre-service teachers (future science teachers) from EDM 403 and EDM 415 (Science Methods) at MSU helped pilot-test Temtop air quality instruments as part of their classes’ unit on citizen science. The instruments will become part of the SMART FIRES Instrument Lending Library and available for Montana teachers to check out and borrow.
SMART FIRES Year 3 Annual Meeting: Building a Smarter Future for Montana’s Fire Landscape
The Montana NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES project convened its Year 3 ‘All Hands Meeting’ (AHM2025) on September 8–9, 2025 at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, bringing together researchers, students, partners, and advisors from across the state and beyond to share progress, spark new collaborations, and deepen interdisciplinary connections.
Women in STEM feature: Dr. Anh Nguyen
Where are you from?I’m originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.What do you like to do for fun?I love cooking Vietnamese foods and playing badminton when I’m indoors. Outdoors, I enjoy exploring new hiking trails, checking out new places, lakes, and camping spots, and visiting national parks.
Montana EPSCoR Supports Inclusive Learning at MSU Summer Camp
Montana NSF EPSCoR proudly continued its sponsorship of Montana State University’s Inclusive Community Camp (ICC), now in its sixth summer.
Interview with Dr. Jacob Downs: New UM Computer Science Hire
Dr. Jacob Downs is a new associate professor in computer science at the University of Montana. With a background in machine learning and numerical modeling regarding environmental systems he is excited to engage with SMART FIRES researchers and inspire the next generation of computer scientists. How did you get into STEM?
Future teachers explore citizen science at MSU
Pre-service teachers (future science teachers) from EDM 403 and EDM 415 (Science Methods) at MSU helped pilot-test Temtop air quality instruments as part of their classes’ unit on citizen science. The instruments will become part of the SMART FIRES Instrument Lending Library and available for Montana teachers to check out and borrow.
SMART FIRES Year 3 Annual Meeting: Building a Smarter Future for Montana’s Fire Landscape
The Montana NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES project convened its Year 3 ‘All Hands Meeting’ (AHM2025) on September 8–9, 2025 at Montana State University (MSU) in Bozeman, bringing together researchers, students, partners, and advisors from across the state and beyond to share progress, spark new collaborations, and deepen interdisciplinary connections.
Women in STEM feature: Dr. Anh Nguyen
Where are you from?I’m originally from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.What do you like to do for fun?I love cooking Vietnamese foods and playing badminton when I’m indoors. Outdoors, I enjoy exploring new hiking trails, checking out new places, lakes, and camping spots, and visiting national parks.
Montana EPSCoR Supports Inclusive Learning at MSU Summer Camp
Montana NSF EPSCoR proudly continued its sponsorship of Montana State University’s Inclusive Community Camp (ICC), now in its sixth summer.
Interview with Dr. Jacob Downs: New UM Computer Science Hire
Dr. Jacob Downs is a new associate professor in computer science at the University of Montana. With a background in machine learning and numerical modeling regarding environmental systems he is excited to engage with SMART FIRES researchers and inspire the next generation of computer scientists. How did you get into STEM?
$41M award to Montana Tech Hub
A regional technology hub focused on photonics and smart sensors, of which Montana State University is a founding member, will receive a $41 million federal grant to help create tech jobs across Montana.
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.
New article from CREWS JRW Natural Resource Social Science team focuses on challenges rural communities face with public water systems
A recent publication from the Natural Resource Social Science team highlights the challenges facing rural communities in the arena of public water systems—namely, the locally-managed infrastructure that delivers domestic water to homes in settled areas like small towns and cities.
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.