Montana NSF EPSCoR

02/11/2026

If you're into remote sensing or earth science, this NASA article is worth a look. It traces the early use of satellite imagery—long before it became a common research tool—and shows how scientists discovered new possibilities far beyond Cold War surveillance.

At SMART FIRES, we rely on technologies like lidar, thermal imagery, and hyperspectral imaging, so it’s interesting to see how the foundations were built decades ago.

Read the full story here:

In searching for lost cities and ancient travel routes, an unlikely band of scientists and explorers helped develop a new set of tools for archaeology.

02/06/2026

The SMART FIRES booth was a hit at Montana State University Family Science Day last Thursday! Visiting fifth graders explored hands‑on scientific sensors, built their own "fire‑ready forest" bracelets, and watched drone footage from a real prescribed burn at Lubrecht Experimental Forest. The activity was staffed by Suzi Taylor and Rebecca Richter of Science Math Resource Center and grad students Nat Sweeney and Dylan Maxwell, with behind-the-scenes support from undergraduate Becca Edwards. Students headed home with a fire science coloring and activity sheet and colored pencils to continue learning beyond the event.

12/05/2025

Why is prescribed fire beneficial? We Montanans are all affected by wildfire smoke - learn how SMART FIRES is developing strategies to protect our communities that are most impacted by wildfire.

10/07/2025

Montana science educators: We are building an Instrument Lending Library with the support of Montana NSF EPSCoR. We are curious to find out if you would use it?

If so, what scientific instruments would you like to check out and borrow?

Complete our short survey by the end of the day tomorrow and you'll be in a drawing to win a cool STEM prize.

[Here's our new graduate student Elizabeth preparing some Temtop air quality monitors for use by our pre-service teachers]

https://forms.gle/DjAS2XLsbG8Mkb1T9

10/06/2025

The Montana Girls STEM Collaborative was launched as a Montana NSF EPSCoR program and is a shining example of the power of EPSCoR to build infrastructure in a state. Please check out this great opportunity to bring hands-on STEM to Montana communities. The deadline to apply is Friday.

YOU can host a QuantumGirls program in your Montana community! QuantumGirls was created by a collaboration between National Girls Collaborative Project and Montana State University's QCORE, and it brings basic quantum concepts and fun hands-on STEM to middle school girls.

No quantum experience is needed -- all training is provided! Apply by Friday, Oct. 10 and learn more about QuantumGirls at https://www.montana.edu/smrc/quantum/quantum-girls.html

06/09/2025

COMING SOON! The summer e-newsletter of the Montana Citizen Science Network. Make sure you are subscribed!
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/Ke1M2vO/citssci

The Montana network is supported by Montana NSF EPSCoR and housed in the Science Math Resource Center

06/07/2025

If you missed our latest newsletter, you missed some great updates on what's happening with Montana NSF EPSCoR and SMART FIRES. Be sure to catch up here: https://conta.cc/4kNM5tw

Science Math Resource Center spectrUM Discovery Area

Email from Montana NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES Highlights     SMART FIRES Summer Newsletter 2025 Keep up to date on the progress of EPSCoR's track one project SMART FIRES. Hear from researchers and staff a

10/18/2024

We are excited today to be presenting at the Federation of Public Employees Educators' Conference in Bozeman on education, outreach and workforce development for our SMART FIRES project. Thank you to Science Math Resource Center and special guest Nat Sweeney of Montana State University Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering who will share information about the work of the Smart Optical Sensors team.

Come see us at noon in room in Room A304

10/12/2024

https://www.montana.edu/news/24029/montana-state-researcher-wins-nsf-grant-to-improve-flood-forecasting

The goal of the project is to improve the ability to predict floods caused by rain-on-snow conditions.

09/28/2024

https://dailymontanan.com/2024/09/26/montanas-threat-of-catastrophic-property-destruction-by-wildfires-ranks-no-2-in-the-nation/

According to a new report, Montana has the second highest percentage of properties at risk for wildfire.