NASA educators workshop is held at the Montana Learning Center

Canyon Ferry, Montana – NASA assists Montana educators in learning more about NASA science, engineering, and S.T.E.M. education at a workshop.

For seven years, the Montana Learning Center and NASA have collaborated to better inform teachers and students in the K–12 curriculum about the advantages of S.T.E.M. learning in the classroom.

NASA and the Montana Learning Center aim to demonstrate that learning S.T.E.M. is not only necessary but also incredibly enjoyable.

Ryan Hannahoe, the executive director of the Montana Learning Center, wants to achieve that.

“We want to provide an exciting opportunity that lets them bring NASA’s science and cool technology back to the classroom to get you to know, you get the teacher excited then you get your kids excited, too. And that’s really what we want. We want students excited,” said Hannahoe.

Excited instructors, like Rose, who works at Lodge Grass Public Schools, are one of the simplest ways to enthuse kids.

“The excitement of being able to teach my students fun and exciting things and science class. And I think this is an excellent opportunity. I’m going to learn something new and I’m going to be able to teach what I’ve learned to my students,” said Rose.

For the event, teachers are divided into pairs to work on a variety of S.T.E.M. assignments over the course of Friday and Saturday.

The victors are entitled to an expense-paid trip for themselves and their students to the Kennedy Space Center.

“So, you know, what we’re trying to do is, is provide unforgettable experiences for students in underserved, underrepresented communities. So we’re really excited to have educators here from almost all seven Indian reservations in Montana,” said Hannahoe.

Actual moon rocks, drones, and lego robotics will all be featured in the educational session.

“I’m so excited because I love to teach science and I love bringing new and new things into the classroom. And this is definitely going to be something new and exciting for my students to do,” said Rose.

Even while it can frequently feel out of reach, more kids are now able to shoot for the stars owing to initiatives and instructors like those at the Montana Learning Center.