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 their experiences, not in spite of them. Through short video clips and reflections from both teachers and students, you will gain a renewed sense of possibility, enthusiasm, and optimism.
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 communities.
Grab your lunch and join (panel discussion starts at 11:45am)!
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 discussion exploring how these data science approaches have boosted student engagement, why data matters in today’s classroom, and tips for other educators looking to integrate data skills into their classrooms. Attendees will leave with practical ideas they can implementin the classroom today.
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 →
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 →
