Join us for the 8th Annual STEM Summer Institute, a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made professional learning experience designed for K-12 educators. Leave with practical strategies, classroom-ready resources, and renewed confidence to integrate STEM in ways that are relevant, rigorous, and engaging for students. Engage in breakout sessions and learning experiences of your choice, collaboration with peers, get inspired by our keynote speaker and national and local STEM educators.
This year’s conference offers opportunities for STEM learning across disciplinary lenses and at different grade levels in the following strands:
- Discovering STEM Learning Through Data
- Future of AI and Technology in STEM
- Mathematics: The Language that Powers STEM
- Place-Based & Environmental STEM
- STEM Careers, Pathways, and Industry Connections
You’ll leave the STEM Summer Institute with new resources (including a network of educators), fresh ideas and resources, up to 15 professional development units, and next steps to create powerful, future-ready learning experiences for your students!
Montana STEM Summer Institute: STEM Across the Curriculum
August 3-5, 2026
MSU Bozeman, MT
August 3-5, 2026
MSU Bozeman, MT
Monday, August 3, 2026 (12:00pm - 5:00pm) - 4 PDUs
12:00-1:30pm Conference Check-in
1:00-5:00pm Best Practices in Data Science Workshops (with time built in for breaks)
5:30-7:00pm Welcome Reception at Museum of the Rockies
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (8:00am - 4:15pm) - 5 PDUs
8:00-9:00 Check-in, Breakfast, Exhibits Opening
9:00-10:15 Opening and Keynote Presentation
10:15-10:30 Break and transition to breakout sessions
10:30-11:30 Breakout Session 1
11:30-12:45 Lunch and Learn, Exhibitor Visits
12:45-2:45 Breakout Session 2
2:45-3:15 Break and Visit Exhibitors
3:15-4:15 Breakout Session 3
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (8:00am - 3:30pm) 5 PDUs
8:00-8:30 Check-in, Breakfast, Visit Exhibitors
8:30-10:30 Featured Session - AI Playdate with Montana Digital Academy
10:30-11:00 Break and last chance to visit exhibitors
11:00-12:00 Breakout Session 4
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Panel Discussion/Lightning Rounds
2:00-2:15 Break and transition to breakout sessions
2:15-3:15 Breakout Session 5
3:15-3:30 Closing/Depart
12:00-1:30pm Conference Check-in
1:00-5:00pm Best Practices in Data Science Workshops (with time built in for breaks)
5:30-7:00pm Welcome Reception at Museum of the Rockies
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (8:00am - 4:15pm) - 5 PDUs
8:00-9:00 Check-in, Breakfast, Exhibits Opening
9:00-10:15 Opening and Keynote Presentation
10:15-10:30 Break and transition to breakout sessions
10:30-11:30 Breakout Session 1
11:30-12:45 Lunch and Learn, Exhibitor Visits
12:45-2:45 Breakout Session 2
2:45-3:15 Break and Visit Exhibitors
3:15-4:15 Breakout Session 3
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 (8:00am - 3:30pm) 5 PDUs
8:00-8:30 Check-in, Breakfast, Visit Exhibitors
8:30-10:30 Featured Session - AI Playdate with Montana Digital Academy
10:30-11:00 Break and last chance to visit exhibitors
11:00-12:00 Breakout Session 4
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Panel Discussion/Lightning Rounds
2:00-2:15 Break and transition to breakout sessions
2:15-3:15 Breakout Session 5
3:15-3:30 Closing/Depart
Keynote Speaker: Valerie Otero
"Cultivating Expert Learners Not Just Expert Knowers"
Valerie Otero, Professor of STEM Education at the University of Colorado Boulder and a specialist in Physics Education Research, will guide you through real classroom moments that reveal what happens when students truly take ownership of their learning. Explore how STEM can become a powerful vehicle for student voice—where learners build the confidence to advocate for themselves because of their experiences, not in spite of them. Through short video clips and reflections from both teachers and students, you will gain a renewed sense of possibility, enthusiasm, and optimism.
Check out Valerie's Ed Talk, Courage to Learn: The Unexpected Physicist!
REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS
- Educators from a School Services of Montana (SSoM) Member District (20% discount promo code: STEM26). Not sure if you’re a member district? Check here: SSoM Members.
- Group Registration - Are you a school or organization registering a group? Use our group registration form (4 participants for the price of 3; a 25% discount): SSI 2026 Group.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
In order to provide scholarship opportunities for the event, the STEM Summer Institute is partnering with Data Science 4 Everyone, a coalition created by the University of Chicago to ensure every K-12 student has the data literacy skills they need for future-ready learning.Funds are available to help educators with a portion of the costs to attend the conference. Our priority is to support Montana educators, specifically classroom teachers. However, we acknowledge that the funding landscape is shifting for many, so we still encourage you to apply for what you need. Please submit your application by April 30, 2026. We will follow up with you on the status and next steps in early May. Please note that scholarships are limited to the funds available and are not guaranteed by completing an application. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
In order to provide scholarship opportunities for the event, the STEM Summer Institute is partnering with Data Science 4 Everyone, a coalition created by the University of Chicago to ensure every K-12 student has the data literacy skills they need for future-ready learning.Funds are available to help educators with a portion of the costs to attend the conference. Our priority is to support Montana educators, specifically classroom teachers. However, we acknowledge that the funding landscape is shifting for many, so we still encourage you to apply for what you need. Please submit your application by April 30, 2026. We will follow up with you on the status and next steps in early May. Please note that scholarships are limited to the funds available and are not guaranteed by completing an application. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS
The Montana STEM Summer Institute brings together motivated educators, innovative ideas, and real-world STEM connections—creating an ideal space for exhibitors and sponsors to build relationships and make lasting, mission-aligned impact. Exhibit space is limited (first come, first served).
The Montana STEM Summer Institute brings together motivated educators, innovative ideas, and real-world STEM connections—creating an ideal space for exhibitors and sponsors to build relationships and make lasting, mission-aligned impact. Exhibit space is limited (first come, first served).
LODGING OPTIONS & ROOM BLOCKS
Our Planning Team has secured discounted rates for room blocks at several local hotels.
Our Planning Team has secured discounted rates for room blocks at several local hotels.
OPI RENEWAL UNITS & MSU NON-DEGREE GRAD CREDIT
Participants may earn up to 15 OPI Renewal Units, or 1 Montana State University (Non-Graduate) Academic Credit.
More details coming soon!
Participants may earn up to 15 OPI Renewal Units, or 1 Montana State University (Non-Graduate) Academic Credit.
More details coming soon!
THE MONTANA STEM SUMMER INSTITUTE
is co-hosted by School Services of Montana, Montana State University Science Math Resource Center, Montana Afterschool Alliance, Montana Space Grant Consortium, and Montana STEM Ecosystem
