2024 STEAM Day Color Groups
Each student will participate in four workshops, which are clustered into "color groups."
When you register, you will rank your top four choices for color groups and will be placed in your highest ranked color group based on availability which is first come-first serve
1. Health Under the Big Sky
Are bacteria all bad? Are viruses alive? Did you know you have thousands of microbes
living in and on your body? Find out what makes us sick or healthy. Explore the factors
responsible for infectious and environmental diseases in human and animal populations
in Montana.
Nora Smith, MSU Academic Technology & Outreach
8. Inspecting Sunlight
We can’t travel to the Sun, but we know much about what it’s like there. We can learn
about temperatures and the Sun’s movement from its light. Build a spectrograph and
learn how to see the messages hidden in the Sun’s light.
Aki Takeda, MSU Department of Physics
13. Glowing Greetings
Light up somebody’s day with an electronic pop-up greeting card! Inside the card,
you will create an electronic circuit that lights up when the card is open.
Trevor Vannoy, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
22. Dive into Stream Science with MOSS!
Explore the amazing world of water with a hands-on stream science and hydrology workshop.
Discover the science of freshwater physics, dive into local water issues, and learn
how to collect and analyze hydrological data like a pro.
Mary Horner-Richardson, Montana Outdoor Science School
3. Design Your Future
If we are all products of our environment, what could be more important than designing
the spaces we live, work, and play in daily? So, spend this workshop designing, drawing,
building, and creating ‘the environment’ of your choice! We’ll look at famous female
architects, explore neat spaces, and then get hands-on experience creating our own
buildings.
Mary Demro, A&E Design
7. Be a Molecular Biologist
What do genes and DNA have in common? Where is DNA located? You will get to isolate
DNA from some of your cheek cells, and you’ll get to look at your cheek cells through
a microscope. We’ll also learn about where our genes come from and their importance.
Christa Merzdorf, MSU Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology
9. RAISE Project: Rural Autism Individuals – Supporting Expression
Are you interested in how children learn language? And why do some children not learn
language well? Learn about the eye tracking methodology, standardized tests of cognition
and language, and using gestures to help with language understanding from perspectives
of psycholinguistics, human factors, and interaction design.
Nadya Modyanova, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
21. Astro Adventures
Make a scale version of the solar system, learn about what really happens inside black
holes, and journey through space in a portable planetarium!
Kate Downey, MSU Department of Physics
4. What Makes Plants Amazing?
Discover the wonderful and unique parts of plants that make them different from animals.
With three activities, we’ll explore the plant adaptations that make them successful
despite being rooted in the ground. From roots to leaves to flowers, learn all about
plants!
Chloe Hinson, MSU Department of Plant Science & Plant Pathology
10. Nanofabrication: How Things You Use Every Day Are Made
Have you ever looked at your phone and wondered how so much functionality is packed
into such a small device? Have you ever wondered how a solar cell is made? Come learn
the basics of nanofabrication and how this field could make for an exciting and fulfilling
career.
Rachel Conrad, Montana Microfabrication Facility, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
13. Glowing Greetings
Light up somebody’s day with an electronic pop-up greeting card! Inside the card,
you will create an electronic circuit that lights up when the card is open.
Trevor Vannoy, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
18. The Effects of Topography on River Formation
Investigate how different types of rivers form based on topography and changes in
precipitation. “Make” your own topography in a sandbox and water table and see in
real-time how a river forms and evolves based on changes to the topography and amount
of water available.
Devon Orme, MSU Department of Earth Sciences
1. Health Under the Big Sky
Are bacteria all bad? Are viruses alive? Did you know you have thousands of microbes
living in and on your body? Find out what makes us sick or healthy. Explore the factors
responsible for infectious and environmental diseases in human and animal populations
in Montana.
Nora Smith, MSU Academic Technology & Outreach
6. Can We Drink It?
Environmental engineers work to make our water safe to drink and use. In towns like
Bozeman, water from natural sources is purified to clean, tasty drinking water in
a treatment plant. We will learn about water treatment by cleaning up our own samples
of dirty water.
Ellen Lauchnor, MSU Department of Civil Engineering
15. 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses
Learn about astronomy topics such as the Sun and the Moon and how those objects can
create solar eclipses visible in the United States in October 2023 and April 2024.
Jessica Myron, SPOT Ambassador, Montana Space Grant Consortium
23. Creative Computing with Small-But-Mighty Micro:bits
We’ll play with pocket-sized computers, called micro:bits, and their built-in sensors,
programming them with easy drag-and-drop coding. No prior programming experience is
necessary!
Keri Hallau, MSU Gianforte School of Computing
2. Nutrition and Native Knowledge
Have you ever wondered what foods are the healthiest for you to eat? Explore the science
of food and learn about how traditional Native knowledge is informing healthy and
sustainable diets.
Salish Kootenai College Team
3. Design Your Future
If we are all products of our environment, what could be more important than designing
the spaces we live, work, and play in daily? So, spend this workshop designing, drawing,
building, and creating ‘the environment’ of your choice! We’ll look at famous female
architects, explore neat spaces, and then get hands-on experience creating our own
buildings.
Mary Demro, A&E Design
5. Aliens in My Back Yard
Did you know NASA is funding research in Yellowstone National Park that could help
with the search for alien life? Find out what scientists think aliens might look like
and explore a virtual Yellowstone hot spring. Discover a secret world of strange creatures
that inhabit Yellowstone.
Jamie Cornish, MSU Academic Technology & Outreach
7. Be a Molecular Biologist
What do genes and DNA have in common? Where is DNA located? You will get to isolate
DNA from some of your cheek cells, and you’ll get to look at your cheek cells through
a microscope. We’ll also learn about where our genes come from and their importance.
Christa Merzdorf, MSU Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology
4. What Makes Plants Amazing?
Discover the wonderful and unique parts of plants that make them different from animals.
With three activities, we’ll explore the plant adaptations that make them successful
despite being rooted in the ground. From roots to leaves to flowers, learn all about
plants!
Chloe Hinson, MSU Department of Plant Science & Plant Pathology
10. Nanofabrication: How Things You Use Every Day Are Made
Have you ever looked at your phone and wondered how so much functionality is packed
into such a small device? Have you ever wondered how a solar cell is made? Come learn
the basics of nanofabrication and how this field could make for an exciting and fulfilling
career.
Rachel Conrad, Montana Microfabrication Facility, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
16. Seeing the Light
Illuminate your curiosity with interactive demonstrations! Watch your body heat transform
into visible light with a thermal camera, measure the thickness of one of your hairs
with a laser, and learn the science behind polarized sunglasses.
Luke Colberg, MSU Optics and Photonics Society
18. The Effects of Topography on River Formation
Investigate how different types of rivers form based on topography and changes in
precipitation. “Make” your own topography in a sandbox and water table and see in
real-time how a river forms and evolves based on changes to the topography and amount
of water available.
Devon Orme, MSU Department of Earth Sciences
6. Can We Drink It?
Environmental engineers work to make our water safe to drink and use. In towns like
Bozeman, water from natural sources is purified to clean, tasty drinking water in
a treatment plant. We will learn about water treatment by cleaning up our own samples
of dirty water.
Ellen Lauchnor, MSU Department of Civil Engineering
10. Nanofabrication: How Things You Use Every Day Are Made
Have you ever looked at your phone and wondered how so much functionality is packed
into such a small device? Have you ever wondered how a solar cell is made? Come learn
the basics of nanofabrication and how this field could make for an exciting and fulfilling
career.
Rachel Conrad, Montana Microfabrication Facility, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
15. 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses
Learn about astronomy topics such as the Sun and the Moon and how those objects can
create solar eclipses visible in the United States in October 2023 and April 2024.
Jessica Myron, SPOT Ambassador, Montana Space Grant Consortium
16. Seeing the Light
Illuminate your curiosity with interactive demonstrations! Watch your body heat transform
into visible light with a thermal camera, measure the thickness of one of your hairs
with a laser, and learn the science behind polarized sunglasses.
Luke Colberg, MSU Optics and Photonics Society
4. What Makes Plants Amazing?
Discover the wonderful and unique parts of plants that make them different from animals.
With three activities, we’ll explore the plant adaptations that make them successful
despite being rooted in the ground. From roots to leaves to flowers, learn all about
plants!
Chloe Hinson, MSU Department of Plant Science & Plant Pathology
6. Can We Drink It?
Environmental engineers work to make our water safe to drink and use. In towns like
Bozeman, water from natural sources is purified to clean, tasty drinking water in
a treatment plant. We will learn about water treatment by cleaning up our own samples
of dirty water.
Ellen Lauchnor, MSU Department of Civil Engineering
13. Glowing Greetings
Light up somebody’s day with an electronic pop-up greeting card! Inside the card,
you will create an electronic circuit that lights up when the card is open.
Trevor Vannoy, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
20. MapMavens: Exploring Spaces
Earth scientists use a variety of maps, both to navigate during fieldwork and to share
information about data. To effectively communicate information, every map requires
several key features. Join MapMavens to learn those features and to read and create
your own maps.
Lauren Kremer, MSU Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences
1. Health Under the Big Sky
Are bacteria all bad? Are viruses alive? Did you know you have thousands of microbes
living in and on your body? Find out what makes us sick or healthy. Explore the factors
responsible for infectious and environmental diseases in human and animal populations
in Montana.
Nora Smith, MSU Academic Technology & Outreach
12. Visualizing Flows Around Us
From the milk mixing in our coffee to the air flows made by coughing, speaking, and
breathing, we can find fluid dynamics all around us! Learn about the art of flow visualization
by taking images of different fluid flows in the Experimental Fluids Research Laboratory.
Sarah Morris, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Dept. of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
13. Glowing Greetings
Light up somebody’s day with an electronic pop-up greeting card! Inside the card,
you will create an electronic circuit that lights up when the card is open.
Trevor Vannoy, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
20. MapMavens: Exploring Spaces
Earth scientists use a variety of maps, both to navigate during fieldwork and to share
information about data. To effectively communicate information, every map requires
several key features. Join MapMavens to learn those features and to read and create
your own maps.
Lauren Kremer, MSU Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences
4. What Makes Plants Amazing?
Discover the wonderful and unique parts of plants that make them different from animals.
With three activities, we’ll explore the plant adaptations that make them successful
despite being rooted in the ground. From roots to leaves to flowers, learn all about
plants!
Chloe Hinson, MSU Department of Plant Science & Plant Pathology
6. Can We Drink It?
Environmental engineers work to make our water safe to drink and use. In towns like
Bozeman, water from natural sources is purified to clean, tasty drinking water in
a treatment plant. We will learn about water treatment by cleaning up our own samples
of dirty water.
Ellen Lauchnor, MSU Department of Civil Engineering
8. Inspecting Sunlight
We can’t travel to the Sun, but we know much about what it’s like there. We can learn
about temperatures and the Sun’s movement from its light. Build a spectrograph and
learn how to see the messages hidden in the Sun’s light.
Aki Takeda, MSU Department of Physics
23. Creative Computing with Small-But-Mighty Micro:bits
We’ll play with pocket-sized computers, called micro:bits, and their built-in sensors,
programming them with easy drag-and-drop coding. No prior programming experience is
necessary!
Keri Hallau, MSU Gianforte School of Computing
2. Nutrition and Native Knowledge
Have you ever wondered what foods are the healthiest for you to eat? Explore the science
of food and learn about how traditional Native knowledge is informing healthy and
sustainable diets.
Salish Kootenai College Team
11. Cryptography: The Math Behind Secret Codes
Secret messages rule the world. They protect credit cards, bank accounts, and national
secrets. What holds these essential cryptosystems together? Math. We will cover the
history of cryptography, ways to encode secrets, and tactics for breaking codes. You
will even get to encrypt and decrypt your own messages!
Grace Stroh, MSU Department of Mathematics
17. The Beauty of Magnets
Magnets do more than hold pictures on the fridge. We use magnets to control objects
remotely, guide our travel, deliver medicine to a specific organ – and make unique
art! This workshop will use the physics of magnets and magnetic fluids to create one-of-a-kind
artwork.
Mackenna Landis, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
21. Astro Adventures
Make a scale version of the solar system, learn about what really happens inside black
holes, and journey through space in a portable planetarium!
Kate Downey, MSU Department of Physics
1. Health Under the Big Sky
Are bacteria all bad? Are viruses alive? Did you know you have thousands of microbes
living in and on your body? Find out what makes us sick or healthy. Explore the factors
responsible for infectious and environmental diseases in human and animal populations
in Montana.
Nora Smith, MSU Academic Technology & Outreach
8. Inspecting Sunlight
We can’t travel to the Sun, but we know much about what it’s like there. We can learn
about temperatures and the Sun’s movement from its light. Build a spectrograph and
learn how to see the messages hidden in the Sun’s light.
Aki Takeda, MSU Department of Physics
12. Visualizing Flows Around Us
From the milk mixing in our coffee to the air flows made by coughing, speaking, and
breathing, we can find fluid dynamics all around us! Learn about the art of flow visualization
by taking images of different fluid flows in the Experimental Fluids Research Laboratory.
Sarah Morris, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
22. Dive into Stream Science with MOSS!
Explore the amazing world of water with a hands-on stream science and hydrology workshop.
Discover the science of freshwater physics, dive into local water issues, and learn
how to collect and analyze hydrological data like a pro.
Mary Horner-Richardson, Montana Outdoor Science School
8. Inspecting Sunlight
We can’t travel to the Sun, but we know much about what it’s like there. We can learn
about temperatures and the Sun’s movement from its light. Build a spectrograph and
learn how to see the messages hidden in the Sun’s light.
Aki Takeda, MSU Department of Physics
18. The Effects of Topography on River Formation
Investigate how different types of rivers form based on topography and changes in
precipitation. “Make” your own topography in a sandbox and water table and see in
real-time how a river forms and evolves based on changes to the topography and amount
of water available.
Devon Orme, MSU Department of Earth Sciences
20. MapMavens: Exploring Spaces
Earth scientists use a variety of maps, both to navigate during fieldwork and to share
information about data. To effectively communicate information, every map requires
several key features. Join MapMavens to learn those features and to read and create
your own maps.
Lauren Kremer, MSU Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences
23. Creative Computing with Small-But-Mighty Micro:bits
We’ll play with pocket-sized computers, called micro:bits, and their built-in sensors,
programming them with easy drag-and-drop coding. No prior programming experience is
necessary!
Keri Hallau, MSU Gianforte School of Computing
5. Aliens in My Back Yard
Did you know NASA is funding research in Yellowstone National Park that could help
with the search for alien life? Find out what scientists think aliens might look like
and explore a virtual Yellowstone hot spring. Discover a secret world of strange creatures
that inhabit Yellowstone.
Jamie Cornish, MSU Academic Technology & Outreach
11. Cryptography: The Math Behind Secret Codes
Secret messages rule the world. They protect credit cards, bank accounts, and national
secrets. What holds these essential cryptosystems together? Math. We will cover the
history of cryptography, ways to encode secrets, and tactics for breaking codes. You
will even get to encrypt and decrypt your own messages!
Grace Stroh, MSU Department of Mathematics
14. Geothermal Adventure: Unleashing Earth’s Secret Energy
See how renewable energy can be created from the Earth’s heat to power our communities.
By interacting with a model of the Earth’s subsurface, you will see how underground
water can flow into and out of fractured rock and learn about heat transfer. Finally,
we will discuss the pros and cons of geothermal energy compared to other kinds of
energy.
Adriene Phillips, MSU Department of Civil Engineering
19. Microbial Machines
Learn how microbes can change the pH of their environment to create mineral structures
for sustainable building materials. We’ll get a hands-on look at how different pH
levels can change the color of the environment and how it relates to biomineralization.
Leah Davidson, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
12. Visualizing Flows Around Us
From the milk mixing in our coffee to the air flows made by coughing, speaking, and
breathing, we can find fluid dynamics all around us! Learn about the art of flow visualization
by taking images of different fluid flows in the Experimental Fluids Research Laboratory.
Sarah Morris, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Department of
Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
16. Seeing the Light
Illuminate your curiosity with interactive demonstrations! Watch your body heat transform
into visible light with a thermal camera, measure the thickness of one of your hairs
with a laser, and learn the science behind polarized sunglasses.
Luke Colberg, MSU Optics and Photonics Society
20. MapMavens: Exploring Spaces
Earth scientists use a variety of maps, both to navigate during fieldwork and to share
information about data. To effectively communicate information, every map requires
several key features. Join MapMavens to learn those features and to read and create
your own maps.
Lauren Kremer, MSU Department of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences
22. Dive into Stream Science with MOSS!
Explore the amazing world of water with a hands-on stream science and hydrology workshop.
Discover the science of freshwater physics, dive into local water issues, and learn
how to collect and analyze hydrological data like a pro.
Mary Horner-Richardson, Montana Outdoor Science School
9. RAISE Project: Rural Autism Individuals – Supporting Expression
Are you interested in how children learn language? And why do some children not learn
language well? Learn about the eye tracking methodology, standardized tests of cognition
and language, and using gestures to help with language understanding from perspectives
of psycholinguistics, human factors, and interaction design.
Nadya Modyanova, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
14. Geothermal Adventure: Unleashing Earth’s Secret Energy
See how renewable energy can be created from the Earth’s heat to power our communities.
By interacting with a model of the Earth’s subsurface, you will see how underground
water can flow into and out of fractured rock and learn about heat transfer. Finally,
we will discuss the pros and cons of geothermal energy compared to other kinds of
energy.
Adriene Phillips, MSU Department of Civil Engineering
17. The Beauty of Magnets
Magnets do more than hold pictures on the fridge. We use magnets to control objects
remotely, guide our travel, deliver medicine to a specific organ – and make unique
art! This workshop will use the physics of magnets and magnetic fluids to create one-of-a-kind
artwork.
Mackenna Landis, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
19. Microbial Machines
Learn how microbes can change the pH of their environment to create mineral structures
for sustainable building materials. We’ll get a hands-on look at how different pH
levels can change the color of the environment and how it relates to biomineralization.
Leah Davidson, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
15. 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses
Learn about astronomy topics such as the Sun and the Moon and how those objects can
create solar eclipses visible in the United States in October 2023 and April 2024.
Jessica Myron, SPOT Ambassador, Montana Space Grant Consortium
16. Seeing the Light
Illuminate your curiosity with interactive demonstrations! Watch your body heat transform
into visible light with a thermal camera, measure the thickness of one of your hairs
with a laser, and learn the science behind polarized sunglasses.
Luke Colberg, MSU Optics and Photonics Society
18. The Effects of Topography on River Formation
Investigate how different types of rivers form based on topography and changes in
precipitation. “Make” your own topography in a sandbox and water table and see in
real-time how a river forms and evolves based on changes to the topography and amount
of water available.
Devon Orme, MSU Department of Earth Sciences
23. Creative Computing with Small-But-Mighty Micro:bits
We’ll play with pocket-sized computers, called micro:bits, and their built-in sensors,
programming them with easy drag-and-drop coding. No prior programming experience is
necessary!
Keri Hallau, MSU Gianforte School of Computing
10. Nanofabrication: How Things You Use Every Day Are Made
Have you ever looked at your phone and wondered how so much functionality is packed
into such a small device? Have you ever wondered how a solar cell is made? Come learn
the basics of nanofabrication and how this field could make for an exciting and fulfilling
career.
Rachel Conrad, Montana Microfabrication Facility, MSU Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
12. Visualizing Flows Around Us
From the milk mixing in our coffee to the air flows made by coughing, speaking, and
breathing, we can find fluid dynamics all around us! Learn about the art of flow visualization
by taking images of different fluid flows in the Experimental Fluids Research Laboratory.
Sarah Morris, MSU Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, Department of Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology
15. 2023 and 2024 Solar Eclipses
Learn about astronomy topics such as the Sun and the Moon and how those objects can
create solar eclipses visible in the United States in October 2023 and April 2024.
Jessica Myron, SPOT Ambassador, Montana Space Grant Consortium
22. Dive into Stream Science with MOSS!
Explore the amazing world of water with a hands-on stream science and hydrology workshop.
Discover the science of freshwater physics, dive into local water issues, and learn
how to collect and analyze hydrological data like a pro.
Mary Horner-Richardson, Montana Outdoor Science School