EPSCoR - Montana Girls STEM Collaborative

Montana EPSCoR is the convening organization for the National Girls Collaborative - a networking organization to girls' interest in science and engineering.

The vision of the National Girls Collaborative Project is to bring together organizations throughout the United States that are committed to informing and encouraging girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The National Girls Collaborative Project maximizes access to shared resources and disseminates research-based promising practices that advance the work of existing and evolving girl-serving projects.

The National Girls Collaborative Project has received funding from the National Science Foundation to extend our work through 2016 and to reach additional states identified as high priority areas. We are pleased to announce that Montana will be implementing this project, sponsored by Montana NSF EPSCoR.

This five year initiative will provide mini-grants, professional development, and other resources to project participants.

Montana Girls STEM Collaborative Project (MGSCP) Kick-Off Conference

The Kick-Off Conference for the MGSCP was held on Wednesday, August 8th from 8:30am to 5:00pm and included sessions on "Best practices in STEM", "What do girls say about STEM education?" and "SciGirls STEM Training." There were also opportunities to network and share with other providers in Montana who work with girl-serving organizations. Over 80 people attended the MGSCP sessions at this great event!

Keynote Speaker for MGSCP Conference Leads Discussions

Lisa Regalla of SciGirls was the featured speaker during lunch at the kick-off conference. Dr. Regalla is the Manager of Science Content and Outreach at tpt, Twin Cities Public Television. With the Emmy-award winning series SciGirls, she has created investigations for the series along with a gender equity handbook, activity guides and a STEM board game.

SciGirls STEM Training Comes to Montana

SciGirls, partially funded by the NSF, began as a series of PBS TV episodes highighting the processes of science and engineering. but has grown into a far-reaching transmedia enterprise, with online content, educational resources, and professional development tools. During the SciGirls STEM training, Montana educators learned the strategies employed by SciGirls to engage girls in STEM. Specifically, attendees got a hands-on, minds-on introduction to the engineering design process, and Lisa Regalla shared engineering and technology activities that inspire youth to explore STEM. Learn more about SciGirls here.

Get Involved

If you are interested in getting more involved with the MGSCP, there are many opportunities. The MGSCP Leadership team is currently looking for business and community STEM leaders from Northeastern Montana and small communities to join our Champions Board, as well as STEM leaders to serve as role models in girl-serving organizations in Montana. Contact Suzi Taylor if you are interested in participating.

EPSCoR 2013 / Supported by National Science Foundation Grant EPS-1101342