STEM Summer Institute 2026: Full Schedule

12:00pm MDT

Check-In and Badge Pick-Up

Monday August 3, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

Norm Hall

Visit the School Services of Montana table to check in, gather information, and receive your badge.

Monday August 3, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Norm Hall

Whole Group

1:00pm MDT

Every Classroom, Every Subject: Building Data Literacy in Grades 5–8

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

We will unpack why and how to integrate data literacy skills into current instruction across grades 5-8 subject areas in strategic and consistent ways. The data literacy topics will focus on creating and making sense of data visualizations in age-appropriate ways. We will explore turnkey strategies to enhance students’ data skills within our existing curriculum. Through hands-on activities,...
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Speakers

Annette Brickley

Thinking & Creating Partner, Dataspire

I wear two "Data Literacy" hats, one, as a content and thinking partner with Dataspire Education & Evaluation LLCⓇ. The second hat is working as the Education Outreach Coordinator for the Northeast US Shelf LTER (NES-LTER) project for which I run a Data Jam. In these positions... Read More →

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Best Practices Workshop, Strand 1: Discovering STEM Learning Through Data

Grade Level K-5 Educators, 6-12 Educators

1:00pm MDT

Math as a Lens for Our Stories: Cultivating Curiosity with Data (K-5)

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 137

Data investigations provide meaningful opportunities for students to reason, communicate, and make sense of the world around them. In this interactive session, educators will experience research-based instructional routines that promote mathematical discourse, curiosity, and critical thinking through authentic data. Participants will engage as learners, explore adaptable routines for grades K–5,...
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Speakers

Katrina Engeldrum

Math Instructional Coordinator, Montana Office of Public Instruction

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 137

Best Practices Workshop

Area K-5 Educators

1:00pm MDT

Rooted in Relevance (Gr. 6-12)

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 149

This presentation invites secondary teachers to explore how place can make data more meaningful, relevant, and engaging for students. Teachers will consider how local contexts, community issues, and students’ lived experiences can be used as entry points for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Through examples and discussion, participants will examine ways to connect data literacy with...
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Speakers

Melissa Goretskie

Teacher, Power High School

Monday August 3, 2026 1:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 149

Best Practices Workshop

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

5:30pm MDT

Welcome Reception

Monday August 3, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm MDT

Museum of the Rockies

Come see the museum exhibits, including the FROGS! Planitarium shows will be available, the Museum of the Rockies will offer information sessions for educators, and curiosity tables will be on display.
Appetizers and drinks for all.

Monday August 3, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm MDT
Museum of the Rockies 600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717

Whole Group, Fun

8:00am MDT

Check-In, Breakfast and Exhibits Open

Tuesday August 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT

Norm Hall

Tuesday August 4, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Norm Hall

Whole Group

9:00am MDT

Keynote: Cultivating Expert Learners Not Just Expert Knowers

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT

Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Valerie Otero, Professor of STEM Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and a specialist in Physics Education Research, will guide you through real classroom moments that reveal what happens when students truly take ownership of their learning. Explore how STEM can become a powerful vehicle for student voice—where learners build the confidence to advocate for themselves because of...
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Speakers

Valerie Otero

Professor of Science Education

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Whole Group

10:15am MDT

Break and Transition to Sessions

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am MDT

Norm Hall

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:15am - 10:30am MDT
Norm Hall

Whole Group

10:30am MDT

Mathematics as a Language: Building Numeracy That Powers STEM

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Norm Hall: Room 149

This session explores mathematics as the foundational language that powers all STEM disciplines, with a strong emphasis on numeracy, mental math, and independent problem-solving. Participants will examine how gaps in basic arithmetic can limit student success in science, technology, and engineering, even when advanced tools are available. Drawing from the AI Math Club at Hardin High School, the...
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Speakers

Thelma Fernandez

Teacher, Hardin High School

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Norm Hall: Room 149

Breakout Session 1, Strand 3: Mathematics: The Language that Powers STEM

10:30am MDT

Rooted in Place: IEFA and Environmental Science

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Norm Hall: Room 337

Place-based environmental education projects for upper elementary students showing examples of how to weave together Next Generation Science Standards with the rich cultural heritage of Montana’s tribes through Indian Education for All initiatives. Beginning with an exploration of Yellowstone’s extremophiles, where students analyze energy flow and chemosynthesis while honoring the traditional...
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Speakers

Connie Michael

teacher, Crow Agency Public School

Connie Michael is a 5th grade teacher at Crow Agency Public School in Crow Agency Montana. She has taught for 36 years. Having moved to Montana ten years ago, Connie spent the first part of her career teaching in k-2 bilingual classrooms in Central Washington. She is National Board... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Norm Hall: Room 337

Breakout Session 1, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM

10:30am MDT

Shake and Break

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

Dive into the engineering design process in this fun, hands-on activity about earthquakes! Identify building features that help withstand damage due to earthquakes and use them in your own model. This versatile learning experience can be quickly and easily implemented in lessons about geography, physics, engineering, economics, and more!

Speakers

Sam Massey

Museum Program Coordinator, spectrUM Discovery Area

Diandra Lewis

Outreach Coordinator, spectrUM Discovery Area

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Breakout Session 1, Combining Arts and STEM

Grade Level 6-12 Educators, K-5 Educators

10:30am MDT

Spark Insight: Easy Data Science Integration for K-12 Educators

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT

Norm Hall: Room 137

Looking for ways to integrate data science skills into your classroom but not sure where to start - or need new resources to add to your existing toolkit? In this hands-on session, educators will discover a curated selection of practical, classroom-ready resources designed to bring engaging data science experiences to K-12 students. We’ll introduce three distinct sets of tools and materials,...
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Speakers

Lee Ellen Harmer

Partnerships Manager, Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E)

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am MDT
Norm Hall: Room 137

Breakout Session 1, Strand 1: Discovering STEM Learning Through Data

11:30am MDT

Lunch and Learn- How Policy Can Shape STEM Opportunities for Montana Youth and Educators

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Join the Montana STEM Ecosystem for a conversation with policymakers on how policy can expand STEM opportunities for Montana youth and educators. This session will explore the state of STEM in Montana, connections to career pathways and workforce readiness, and an opportunity for educators to share perspectives that help shape statewide policies impacting youth, schools, and...
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Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Lunch and Learn Session, Strand 5: STEM Careers

11:30am MDT

Lunch and Learn- Museum of the Rockies

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 149

Come to this lunch and learn to discover what the Museum of the Rockies offers. From field trips where you can explore the galleries in person, have guided tours, or learn in workshops, to virtual options where we zoom into your classroom, to in-person outreach where we come to you, there are many different ways to use the museum. We believe in teaching all people of all ages. Our Early...
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Speakers

Katherine Hodge

Director of Education and Public Programming, Museum of the Rockies

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 149

Lunch and Learn Session

11:30am MDT

Lunch and Learn-Exploring OpenSciEd from Carolina

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

Join us for an interactive, hands-on model lesson from OpenSciEd to discover how the Carolina Certified Version takes these high-quality instructional materials to the next level— more accessible, more user-friendly, and enhanced for classroom safety. Participants will leave with practical strategies and valuable resources to energize their classrooms.

Speakers

Wendy Pierce

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Lunch and Learn Session, Strand 1: Discovering STEM Learning Through Data

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

11:30am MDT

Lunch and Visit Exhibitors

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT

First Floor Norm Hall

Grab and go lunch on the main floor by the stairs and the cafe.

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:30am - 12:45pm MDT
First Floor Norm Hall

Whole Group

12:45pm MDT

AI for Inquiry: Designing Better Questions, Investigations, and STEM Challenges

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

Great STEM learning begins with strong questions, not just an "answer machine". This session explores how we can move past the AI hype to use these tools as grounded design partners for inquiry-based learning. Instead of letting AI offload the thinking, we’ll look at how it can help teachers curate richer investigations, refine driving questions, and anticipate student misconceptions before they...
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Speakers

Jason Neiffer

Executive Director, Montana Digital Academy

Dr. Jason Neiffer believes that educational technology should be driven by learning, not flash. As the Executive Director of the Montana Digital Academy, co-convener of the Frontier Learning Lab, and a former classroom teacher, Jason has spent 29 years cutting through tech hype to... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Breakout Session 2, Strand 2: Future of AI and Technology in STEM

12:45pm MDT

Patterns, Play, & Purpose

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 337

In this hands-on session, educators will explore a simple beadwork tool using pony beads and wooden dowels to investigate patterns, counting, and mathematical structure through culturally grounded design. Participants will experience the activity as learners, reflect on connections to student choice and social-emotional learning, and consider ways to adapt the tool to grade-level standards and...
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Speakers

Katrina Engeldrum

Math Instructional Coordinator, Montana Office of Public Instruction

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 337

Breakout Session 2, Strand 3: Mathematics: The Language that Powers STEM

12:45pm MDT

Quantum Adventure: Empowering Teachers with Ready‑to‑Use Tools to Master Subatomic Science

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 329

This session introduces Quantum Adventure, a teacher‑friendly approach to bringing quantum science into K–12 classrooms using carefully curated, ready‑to‑use materials. With quantum information now widely discussed but often overwhelming for both teachers and students, this session provides a structured pathway for meaningful exploration. Participants will receive vetted resources,...
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Speakers

Vryann James Sison

STEM Teacher / Physics Representative, Hardin High School / Montana Science Teachers Association

I’m Vryann James L. Sison, a STEM educator at a rural, American Indian‑serving high school in Hardin, Montana. I hold a Bachelor of Secondary Education in Biological Science from Dr. Yanga’s Colleges Inc. in the Philippines and a Master of Education in STEM Education from t... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 329

Breakout Session 2, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM, Strand 5: STEM Careers, Pathways, and Industry Connections

12:45pm MDT

Using the science of learning in STEM classrooms

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 149

In this session, educators will explore how the science of learning aligns with curricular approaches to teaching the MT Science standards. We will discuss assessment techniques informed by the science of learning and how technology can support assessment. Teachers will have time to collaborate and analyze different approaches.

Speakers

Jeannie Chipps

Associate Director, MSU Science Math Resource Center

Jeannie Chipps facilitates professional development at the Science Math Resource Center. As a former high school science teacher and after school science team coach/makerspace director, she enjoys working with teachers to create learning environments that support diverse learners... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:45pm - 2:45pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 149

Breakout Session 2, Strand 2: Future of AI and Technology in STEM

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

2:45pm MDT

Break and Visit Exhibitors

Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm MDT

Norm Hall

Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:45pm - 3:15pm MDT
Norm Hall

Whole Group

3:15pm MDT

NotebookLM as a Trusted STEM Companion

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 337

This session explores how NotebookLM can serve as a reliable, teacher‑curated knowledge hub in STEM classrooms where students often struggle with attention during lectures and face increasing risks of misinformation from open‑ended AI tools. By consolidating vetted articles, datasets, and reference materials into a single notebook, teachers can limit unreliable sources while giving students a...
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Speakers

Vryann James Sison

STEM Teacher / Physics Representative, Hardin High School / Montana Science Teachers Association

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 337

Breakout Session 3, Strand 2: Future of AI and Technology in STEM

3:15pm MDT

Plants and Culture: Science and Culture Tradition meet in the Classroom

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 149

In this session, I will discuss the ways that I brought Ethnobotany into the middle school classroom. Through an immersion course, which is very simple to implement in any middle school science classroom, I intertwined culturally significant plants with bacterial research. In this session, we will discuss how we took traditionally sacred plants (sagebrush & yarrow) and tested them against...
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Speakers

Aislee Olmstead

Science Teacher, Frank Brattin Middle School

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 149

Breakout Session 3, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM

3:15pm MDT

STEM-ulating Activities for People and the Planet

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 329

Effective STEM-based lessons can start with natural math/science integration to discover more about the world around us. In this hands-on, inquiry-based workshop, participants will engage in innovative activities that illustrate the science and math behind real-world ecology concepts such as carrying capacity in nature, natural resource use, and how humans are forever changing Earth’s landscape,...
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Speakers

Corinne Day

Math Teacher, Pryor Public Schools

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 329

Breakout Session 3, Strand 3: Mathematics: The Language that Powers STEM, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM

3:15pm MDT

Using "Pedagogical Tools" to Facilitate Model-Building Activities

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 137

In this session, we will engage in a learner-centered approach to developing scientific principles through data. Participants will work together to build a model of a phenomenon that they observe through videos and experimental apparatus. We will conclude by looking at student data from their engagement in a similar activity. We will discuss how “pedagogical tools” can be used to facilitate...
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Speakers

Valerie Otero

Professor of Science Education

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 137

Breakout Session 3, Strand 1: Discovering STEM Learning Through Data

Grade Level K-5 Educators, 6-12 Educators

3:15pm MDT

Wiring Curiosity to Career: Building UAS Pathways Through Hands-On STEM

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

How can hands-on STEM experiences translate into sustained career pathways? This session highlights findings from MSUB's pilot Drone STEM Camps, immersive week-long programs serving middle and high school students. Participants built and soldered drones, learned flight operations and FAA safety fundamentals. In our second year, students will apply aerial imagery to authentic regional challenges,...
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Speakers

Elaine Westbrook

Assistant Professor, MSUB

Tuesday August 4, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Breakout Session 3, Strand 5: STEM Careers, Pathways, and Industry Connections

8:00am MDT

Check-in, Breakfast and Visit Exhibitors

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am MDT

First Floor Norm Hall

Breakfast on the main floor by stairs and Cafe.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am MDT
First Floor Norm Hall

Whole Group

8:30am MDT

AI Playdate: 8:30 – 10:30 | AI Playdate: Practical Exploration for STEM Educators

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 10:30am MDT

Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Wednesday August 5, 2026 8:30am - 10:30am MDT
Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Whole Group

10:30am MDT

Break and Last Chance to Visit Exhibitors

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am MDT

Norm Hall

Wednesday August 5, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am MDT
Norm Hall

Whole Group

11:00am MDT

Culture and Food

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

Salish Kootenai College, in partnership with collaborators, has created a six-unit resource for educators to teach middle school students about the science of food related to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). Each thematic unit includes hands-on activities to enhance students' understanding of food science and Montana's local food systems. The units cover topics such as the...
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Speakers

Charla Lake

Teacher, Ronan Middle School

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Breakout Session 4, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

11:00am MDT

Data Science Across K-12: Building Student Engagement and Future-Ready Skills

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 337

Data shapes modern life: from apps to news to decisions in health, business, and government, yet most students graduate without exposure to data science concepts. As Montana focuses on integrating data science skills into state standards, understanding what curriculum-agnostic data instruction looks like across all grade levels becomes essential. This session explores why data science is critical...
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Speakers

Lee Ellen Harmer

Partnerships Manager, Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E)

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 337

Breakout Session 4, Strand 1: Discovering STEM Learning Through Data

Grade Level 6-12 Educators, K-5 Educators

11:00am MDT

Explore Quantum Career Connections

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 149

Educators will experience new quantum activities related to careers in emerging technology fields related to quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. Participants will walk away with new resources and activities that allow students to explore career paths in Montana that support quantum technologies.

Speakers

Jeannie Chipps

Associate Director, MSU Science Math Resource Center

Molly Iversen

Youth Quantum Outreach Coordinator, Montana State University

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 149

Breakout Session 4, Strand 5: STEM Careers

11:00am MDT

Hands-On, Minds-On STEM: Designing Investigations That Engage Every Student

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 325

This session presents an interdisciplinary STEM project designed for 4th and 5th-grade students that examines how fire affects soil, air, and plant life. The project began with questions about climate and land use and developed into a hands-on investigation using local Eastern Montana soil. Students compared heat-treated and untreated soil, planted seeds to observe regeneration, and monitored...
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Speakers

Acer Pitas-Pilo

Resource Teacher, BCEC

Acer Pitas is a resource teacher holding advanced training in both early childhood and mathematics education. Acer focuses on empowering students through hands-on initiatives that nurture personal growth and community contribution. At the state and national levels, Acer actively advances... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 325

Breakout Session 4, and Industry Connections

11:00am MDT

Lessons from the Field: Building Your Own AI Literacy-Focused Community of Practice

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 137

Explore aiEDU's proven approach to building communities of practice using AI literacy-focused curriculum and aiEDU’s AI Trailblazers Fellowship as a model. Examine aiEDU's AI Readiness Framework to identify the student competencies essential for AI literacy and readiness, and use it as a lens for evaluating curricular resources. Apply these competencies to analyze instructional practice, discuss...
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Speakers

Connor Mulvaney

Trailblazers Lead, aiEDU

Talk to Connor about:
- Talking to Students and Staff about AI
- AI Literacy/AI Readiness (what it is and how to access FREE curriculum)
- How AI works
- Vibecoding
- District level AI support roles
- Your favorite Talking Heads song

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 137

Breakout Session 4, Strand 2: Future of AI and Technology in STEM

11:00am MDT

STEM Opportunities in MSU's College of Letters & Science

Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 329

The College of Letters & Science at Montana State University is at the heart of innovation, discovery, and service. Imagine your students uncovering the biology of diseases, delving into the realm of astrophysics, digging up fossils as they explore geologic time, or advocating for ethics in science and technology. This session will highlight education and career opportunities in Science,...
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Wednesday August 5, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 329

Breakout Session 4, Strand 5: STEM Careers

Grade Level 6-12 Educators, K-5 Educators

12:00pm MDT

Lunch

Wednesday August 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

Rendezvous

Wednesday August 5, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Rendezvous

Whole Group

1:00pm MDT

Panel Discussion/Lightning Rounds

Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Join us for an inspiring session where educators (and a special student participant) share quick “lightning talks” about how data literacy and data science have been integrated into their classrooms. Each presenter will highlight a key data science resource or strategy that made a difference in their K-12 teaching or learning. Following the lightning talks, we’ll transition to a panel...
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Moderators

Lee Ellen Harmer

Partnerships Manager, Data Science 4 Everyone (DS4E)

Speakers

Connie Michael

teacher, Crow Agency Public School

Melissa Goretskie

Teacher, Power High School

Mary Farina

MSU Graduate Student

Dominique Zosso

Data Scientist, Zoot Enterprises

Dominique Zosso is the Data Scientist at Zoot Enterprises, where he helps shape the company’s data science and AI strategy and leads efforts to integrate machine learning and AI into client applications. He earned his MSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering in Switzerland before joining... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall

Whole Group

2:00pm MDT

Break and Transition to Breakout Sessions

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:00pm - 2:15pm MDT

None

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:00pm - 2:15pm MDT
None

Whole Group

2:15pm MDT

Empowering Students with AI: A free Resource for Educators

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 337

Join us for a walkthrough of Code Girls United’s AI Academy, a free AI resource built for classrooms and afterschool programs. Designed to be practical and accessible, our AI Academy includes explainer videos, structured lessons, and hands-on activities that help middle and high school students develop AI literacy, critical thinking, and responsible technology use

Speakers

Kathy Eckhart

Chief Program Officer, Code Girls United

Sierrah Paul

Code Girls United

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 337

Breakout Session 5, Strand 2: Future of AI and Technology in STEM

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

2:15pm MDT

Fire Ecology: Rapid Forest Assessment as a Tool for Monitoring Change

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 137

This presentation details the application of the Rapid Forest Assessment protocol for systematically collecting and analyzing ecological data in a forest landscape. Participants will learn how to implement RFA as a citizen science collaboration with local public land managers. Data collected and organized by students can provide land managers with a clear,...
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Speakers

Rebecca Richter

Communications & Outreach Strategist, MSU Science Math Resource Center

Rebecca supports and disseminates the research and activities of the Montana NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES project through communications, education, and outreach. She holds an M.S. in Plant Biology from Arizona State University and a B.S. in Archaeology from the University of Wisconsin–La... Read More →

David Tuss

Passionate Educator, Capital High School

Suzi Taylor

Director, Montana NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES Project

The Science Math Resource Center (SMRC) is devoted to the advancement of science and mathematics teaching and learning. We provide professional development for a new generation of K-12 educators of tribal, rural, and urban communities; conduct educational research; and coordinate... Read More →

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 137

Breakout Session 5, Strand 5: STEM Careers

about <br>

2:15pm MDT

Geometry in the Montana Indigenous People's Culture

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 153

The audience will be shown previous presentations, given the purpose of the project, and allowed to create their own presentations for a particular Montana Indigenous group. The topics will be summer versus winter hunting grounds, the distance determined between the two, and the finding of the midpoint of the journey using the Desmos geometry tool. Then the audience will determine the size of the...
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Speakers

Wendy Killebrew

Math Teacher (9-12+), Forsyth High School

I have been a teacher for 27 years. I have taught 7-12 and some college math courses. Over my career I have lived and worked in 7 different states. I love professional training and enjoy attending all opportunities to learn new about new curriculum or technology.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 153

Breakout Session 5, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

2:15pm MDT

Integrating IEFA into Math - A Usable Lesson

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 329

This session focuses on providing teachers (5th - 12th) a lesson that can be used with any unit focused on graphing. This lesson focuses specifically on learning about the flag of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, but would be easily adaptable to any flag used by tribes located within Montana.

Speakers

Bill Becker

Middle School Math Teacher, Ronan School District #30

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 329

Breakout Session 5, Strand 4: Place-Based & Environmental STEM

Grade Level 6-12 Educators

2:15pm MDT

Introduction to Growing Plants In The Classroom, the Moon and Beyond

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT

Norm Hall: Room 325

We are going back to the Moon and onward to Mars. One of the first things to do is to set up a plant-growing station. This introduction will highlight successes and challenges with growing vegetables in the classroom. Students get to eat what they have grown and take home what they have learned (in a practical way).

Speakers

Michael Walz

Educator, School District 2

Science teacher 30 years

I edit (a lot of) video with Final Cut Pro X

Wednesday August 5, 2026 2:15pm - 3:15pm MDT
Norm Hall: Room 325

Breakout Session 5, Strand 1: Discovering STEM Learning Through Data

Grade Level K-5 Educators, 6-12 Educators

3:15pm MDT

Closing

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:15pm - 3:30pm MDT

First Floor Norm Hall

Join us for a STEM Summer Institute group photo on your way out, on the stairs!
Let's get everyone in it.
Please pick up your PDUs if you have not already.

Wednesday August 5, 2026 3:15pm - 3:30pm MDT
First Floor Norm Hall

Whole Group

12:00pm MDT

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