Facilities and Other Resources -  MSU Science Math Resource Center


The Science Math Resource Center is located within the Department of Education at Montana State University and has offices, administrative staff, supplies and equipment to complete the proposed work.

 The Center is devoted to the advancement of STEM teaching and learning, offering professional development for educators (including K-12 teachers, counselors and administrators) and professionals working in out-of-school settings such as Boys and Girls clubs, museums, school-based afterschool programs and other youth development organizations. Additionally, the Center creates and hosts STEM outreach programs for youth, including the Montana Science Olympiad, summer math camp and mathematics contests, which reach thousands of youth with STEM content each year.

 SMRC’s location within the Department of Education offers unique access to faculty with expertise in all domains of education, including K-8, 6-12, higher education and lifelong learning, as well as experience in STEM teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on rural education. Additionally, the Center works frequently with pre-service teachers (education majors) who can contribute insights and hours to education, outreach and communications projects.

 The Science Math Resource Center serves as home to the Montana Girls STEM Collaborative, a statewide network devoted to disseminating research and resources while building collaborations to support programs that serve girls and other groups typically under-represented in STEM. Advisory board members represent industry, government, higher and K-12 education and the non-profit sector, with champions including the president of Montana State University and the First Lady of Montana.

 Beyond the university, the Center is part of many statewide, regional and national networks that can be called upon for support on this project, including but not limited to: the National Girls Collaborative Project; National Informal Science Education Network; Montana Science Teachers Association; and Advancing Research in Society. Partners and frequent collaborators include the Office of Public Instruction, Montana Afterschool Alliance, School Services of Montana, Montana Environmental Education Association, NASA, the National Park Service, and many STEM-rich institutions throughout the state and nation.

 Lastly, SMRC has its own fully equipped administrative offices as well as access to and expertise in the networking and educational tools of Montana State University, including but not limited to WebEx Meetings and WebEx Trainings; content management system for Web development; Brightspace by D2L for delivery of credit and non-credit courses; Montana State University’s micro-credentials program to offer digital badges for course completions; and the capacity to provide professional renewal units for educators and CEUs (continuing education units) for students and professionals.