STEM Summer Institute 2026 has ended

STEM Summer Institute 2026

12:00pm MDT

Check-In and Badge Pick-Up Norm Hall

1:00pm MDT

Every Classroom, Every Subject: Building Data Literacy in Grades 5–8 Norm Hall: Room 153Annette Brickley Math as a Lens for Our Stories: Cultivating Curiosity with Data (K-5) Norm Hall: Room 137Katrina Engeldrum Rooted in Relevance (Gr. 6-12) Norm Hall: Room 149Melissa Goretskie

5:30pm MDT

Welcome Reception Museum of the Rockies

8:00am MDT

Check-In, Breakfast and Exhibits Open Norm Hall

9:00am MDT

Keynote: Cultivating Expert Learners Not Just Expert Knowers Norm Hall: Inspiration HallValerie Otero

10:15am MDT

Break and Transition to Sessions Norm Hall

10:30am MDT

Mathematics as a Language: Building Numeracy That Powers STEM Norm Hall: Room 149Thelma Fernandez Rooted in Place: IEFA and Environmental Science Norm Hall: Room 337Connie Michael Shake and Break Norm Hall: Room 153Sam Massey • Diandra Lewis Spark Insight: Easy Data Science Integration for K-12 Educators Norm Hall: Room 137Lee Ellen Harmer

11:30am MDT

Lunch and Learn- How Policy Can Shape STEM Opportunities for Montana Youth and Educators Norm Hall: Inspiration Hall Lunch and Learn- Museum of the Rockies Norm Hall: Room 149Katherine Hodge Lunch and Learn-Exploring OpenSciEd from Carolina Norm Hall: Room 153Wendy Pierce Lunch and Visit Exhibitors First Floor Norm Hall

12:45pm MDT

AI for Inquiry: Designing Better Questions, Investigations, and STEM Challenges Norm Hall: Room 153Jason Neiffer Patterns, Play, & Purpose Norm Hall: Room 337Katrina Engeldrum Quantum Adventure: Empowering Teachers with Ready‑to‑Use Tools to Master Subatomic Science Norm Hall: Room 329Vryann James Sison Using the science of learning in STEM classrooms Norm Hall: Room 149Jeannie Chipps

2:45pm MDT

Break and Visit Exhibitors Norm Hall

3:15pm MDT

NotebookLM as a Trusted STEM Companion Norm Hall: Room 337Vryann James Sison Plants and Culture: Science and Culture Tradition meet in the Classroom Norm Hall: Room 149Aislee Olmstead STEM-ulating Activities for People and the Planet Norm Hall: Room 329Corinne Day Using "Pedagogical Tools" to Facilitate Model-Building Activities Norm Hall: Room 137Valerie Otero Wiring Curiosity to Career: Building UAS Pathways Through Hands-On STEM Norm Hall: Room 153Elaine Westbrook

8:00am MDT

Check-in, Breakfast and Visit Exhibitors First Floor Norm Hall

8:30am MDT

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

10:30am MDT

Break and Last Chance to Visit Exhibitors Norm Hall

11:00am MDT

Culture and Food Norm Hall: Room 153Charla Lake Data Science Across K-12: Building Student Engagement and Future-Ready Skills Norm Hall: Room 337Lee Ellen Harmer Explore Quantum Career Connections Norm Hall: Room 149Jeannie Chipps • Molly Iversen Hands-On, Minds-On STEM: Designing Investigations That Engage Every Student Norm Hall: Room 325Acer Pitas-Pilo Lessons from the Field: Building Your Own AI Literacy-Focused Community of Practice Norm Hall: Room 137Connor Mulvaney STEM Opportunities in MSU's College of Letters & Science Norm Hall: Room 329

12:00pm MDT

Lunch Rendezvous

1:00pm MDT

Panel Discussion/Lightning Rounds Norm Hall: Inspiration HallLee Ellen Harmer • Connie Michael • Melissa Goretskie • Mary Farina • Dominique Zosso

2:00pm MDT

Break and Transition to Breakout Sessions None

2:15pm MDT

Empowering Students with AI: A free Resource for Educators Norm Hall: Room 337Kathy Eckhart • Sierrah Paul Fire Ecology: Rapid Forest Assessment as a Tool for Monitoring Change Norm Hall: Room 137Rebecca Richter • David Tuss • Suzi Taylor Geometry in the Montana Indigenous People's Culture Norm Hall: Room 153Wendy Killebrew Integrating IEFA into Math - A Usable Lesson Norm Hall: Room 329Bill Becker Introduction to Growing Plants In The Classroom, the Moon and Beyond Norm Hall: Room 325Michael Walz

3:15pm MDT

Closing First Floor Norm Hall