Teachers Invited To Apply For STEM Kit On Sensors
Montana educators of children in grades K-2 are invited to apply for a free Sensing for Science kit from Montana State University. The kit includes seven ready-to-go lessons with the necessary materials and is appropriate for a school or out-of-school setting.
The content introduces early elementary students to the concepts, functions and uses of sensors — tools scientists use to monitor the environment and solve problems. For example, sensors such as air quality monitors, thermal and smoke detectors, and weather instruments help track environmental conditions, detect hazards like wildfires and provide data for forecasting and public safety.
The kit activities begin with exploring the body’s natural sensors — taste, smell, sight, touch and hearing — and then connect these ideas to interacting with various kid-friendly sensor technologies. No prior experience with or understanding of sensors is required by the instructor.
The kit was created by the MSU Science Math Resource Center as part of the NSF EPSCoR project called SMART FIRES, an acronym for Sensors, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence in Real- Time Fire Science.
Interested educators are invited learn more and apply at www.mtnsfepscor.org/educator- resources. The application deadline is Monday, Dec. 8. Questions may be directed to Suzi Taylor, director of the MSU Science Math Resource Center, at 406-994-2336 or taylor@montana.edu.
