It is important to develop outreach programs that increase public awareness, enhancing understanding of science and technology, and by providing support for K-12 science education. In collaboration with research efforts supported by Montana NSF EPSCoR, the opportunity exists to: coordinate and produce outreach content for the state and the nation; provide long-term, sustainable, independent outreach sources that maximize visibility and leverage resources; and partner with national science education programs who are leaders in the use of communication technologies to engage K-12 and underrepresented minority audiences in the excitement of scientific exploration.

• Identify the important underlying principles in the program’s emerging science, with an emphasis on concepts and activities that are part of Montana NSF EPSCoR's research focus areas.
• Identify the areas of K-12 curriculum and informal science education most appropriate for the topics based on the underlying principles.
• Produce materials and activities that are appealing, level-appropriate, distance deliverable, and meet curricular and science standard requirements, with particular attention to Montana’s American Indian population and tribal colleges.
• Establish public and educational outreach activities in science and technology through interactive exhibits, displays and presentations.
• Develop a database and web interface that provide templates for outreach and dissemination of research from other MSU and UM scientists as well as other EPSCoR programs.
• Partner with existing Montana University System Centers of outreach/education and national outreach/education programs.