MSU EXTENDED UNIVERSITY
BOZEMAN – Teachers, families and Montana citizens can now access a database of downloadable educational resources covering science, technology, engineering and mathematics topics.
The database, called ScienceMontana, is an outreach program of the Montana Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and features resources created in Montana and about Montana. EPSCoR is a National Science Foundation-funded program to build science and technology infrastructure in the state.
Montana’s rare natural resources – Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, massive free-flowing river systems and large fossil beds – represent unique ecosystems that draw interest from visitors, students and scientists from around the world. While much of the world holds a fascination with Montana’s natural resources, Montanans themselves are often unaware of the amazing research happening in their backyard.
ScienceMontana seeks to connect Montanans more closely with the science happening in the state. Free resources include lesson plans, videos, hands-on activities and other materials in earth science, life science, physical science and space science. Scientists at Montana universities created most of the materials.
Visitors can browse by topic area or search by keyword, such as insects, climate, water, ecosystem, nanotechnology, astronomy, and many more. Many of the resources relate to science conducted under current and past EPSCoR grants, including Montana Institute on Ecosystems research on wildfires, biodiversity, climate and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. New lesson plans will be uploaded periodically, and Montana organizations and educators are encouraged to submit resources for inclusion on the website.
The ScienceMontana database is available online at sciencemt.org. Contact Jamie Cornish with MSU Extended University at jcornish@montana.edu for more information.
