CTAE May Compass Submission

Bozeman, MT, March 16-17, 2023 – Over 500 students, advisers, guests and volunteers from all across the state attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) 2023 State Leadership Conference (SLC) in Bozeman, MT, March 16-17, 2023. Attendees experienced opportunities for personal development, career exploration, and community service. The event was made possible through a sponsorship by the Montana State University College of Education, Health and Human Development.

Throughout SLC, attendees participated in a variety of activities. The keynote speaker was Nick Tokman, of Discovery Channel's The Deadliest Catch, and workshop session presenters included Chef Eduardo Garcia of Montana Mex, National FCCLA 1st Vice-President Shelby Smith, and Brooklynn Gross of FCCLA's Leadership Training Team.  Workshop sessions focused on a variety of topics including personal development, leadership training, career development, and physical and mental health resources.

Over 1,650 members and guests attended Montana FFA’s 93^rd Annual State Convention March 21 – 25, in Great Falls, Montana.  The Montana FFA State Convention hosted 22 career development events, general sessions and workshops during the four-day event. The winning teams earn the opportunity to compete at the National FFA Convention that will take place this fall in Indianapolis, IN.  New State FFA Officers were selected and are as follows:  Jake Chulyak – President from Big Timber, Summit Browning - 1st VP from Gardiner, Shaun Billingsley - 2nd VP from Missoula, Emily Coles - Secretary from Roundup, Lance Rutledge - Treasurer from Big Sandy, Haley Rigler - Reporter from Livingston, Gunnar LaHaug - Sentinel from Ronan, and Ayla Yoder - Parliamentarian from Plentywood.

The Beaverhead chapter from Dillon took home the title of Star Chapter.   Riley Jones of Miles City was named Star State Greenhand with Jake Chulyak from Big Timber being announced as the Star in Agribusiness.  Montana’s Star in Agriculture Placement went to Summit Browning of Gardiner, and Gavin Garrison of Dillon earned the title of State Star Farmer.  The individual sweepstakes title went to Ethan Bay of Kalispell, followed by Wyatt Isaacs of Miles City and Shaun Billingsley from Missoula.   Finally, the team sweepstakes title went to the Kalispell FFA Chapter followed by Missoula and Beaverhead.  The sweepstakes award recognizes the chapter that places highest in four of the five major state convention competitions. 

Over 250 Day of Service participants teamed up with three locations in the Great Falls area to lend a helping hand.  The combined work effort of these student volunteers totaled over 500 hours to improve the city of Great Falls, as well as community businesses and organizations. 

Montana Business and Industry representatives sponsored the event as well as promoted their businesses during the two-day FFA Tradeshow.  Individuals who were recognized as Honorary FFA Degree recipients were Rob Yates (Montana Ag Teacher President), Mark Sinnard (National Marketing Contest Committee Member), Curt Robbins (FFA Foundation President), Susan Fraser (MSU Dean of Ag Assistant), Kipp Gilmour (FFA Supporter), Jamie Lannen (FFA Supporter), Kira Bailey (FFA Supporter) and Lyle Armstrong (longtime FFA supporter).  Additionally, speakers and special guests included Governor Greg Gianforte, Sen. Steve Daines, National FFA Secretary Jessica Herr from Pennsylvania and Dr. Laymon Hicks from Top Youth Speakers. 

Montana FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information, please contact the Montana FFA Association for upcoming events and ways to get involved.

Montana BPA will be sending 479 individuals from 75 chapters from throughout the state to the 2023 BPA National Leadership Conference.  The conference will be held in Anaheim, California, from April 25-30.

The conference will bring together an estimated seven thousand delegates from across the country to vie for top honors in business and information technology skills competitions, attend leadership and professional development workshops, receive awards for community service activities and elect BPA’s 2023–2024 national student leadership team.

“For students and chapter advisors attending the National Leadership Conference, the event is the culmination of a year’s work,” said Steven J. Mitchell, BPA’s executive director/CEO. “We can’t wait to celebrate these students for the energy they have devoted to advancing to nationals in competitive events, sharpening their leadership and career skills and contributing to community betterment through service. 

The 2023 National Leadership Conference presenting sponsor is Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery, and program management services. Conference attendees can obtain valuable industry certifications during the event.

While in Anaheim, participants will also have opportunities to network with other BPA members and business leaders, visit famous Southern California attractions and participate in community service activities.

The conference’s opening session on April 26 and awards ceremonies on April 28 and 29 will be streamed live online at BPA Live.

Teachers, sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and other supporters of financial education are gathering November 4-6 for the 14th annual Jump$tart National Educator Conference at the Gila River Resort and Casino in Chandler, Arizona, to expand the actionable impact of effective financial education in the classroom.

For teachers, the Jump$tart National Educator Conference remains an all-scholarship event. This year, Jump$tart and its generous scholarship providers and donors will be providing 375 classroom educators with scholarships covering full conference registration, two hotel nights, and six conference meals. Participants are responsible for travel.

All teachers who will attend the conference are recipients of a scholarship from Jump$tart or one of our scholarship partners. Scholarship applications are now open and are due August 18.

CSCI 581 Computer Science in the Classroom: Computational Thinking for Teachers is a two (2) credit course being offered this summer for FREE to Montana teachers.

This virtual (synchronous) course examines the computing field and how it impacts the human condition. Exciting ideas and influential people are introduced. A gentle introduction to computational thinking using the Python programming language is provided. The course also introduces participants to robotic platforms.

CSCI 581 will be offered virtually July 17-31, 2023, from 8:00 am-5:00 pm daily. The course will be taught by MSU Bozeman Computer Science Faculty, Hunter Lloyd.

Full tuition stipends are available for teachers in Montana who submit a letter of support from an administrator and a brief letter of intent.

Visit the MSU MSSE program website for registration, application and other information: montana.edu/msse or msse@montana.edu.

NOTE: you can take MSSE classes as a non-degree seeking student—you do not need to be admitted to the MSU Master of Science in Science Education (MSSE) program to take this course.

The 5th Annual Montana STEM Summer Institute—Spark Curiosity with STEM—is a one-of-a-kind, Montana-made showcase for STEM integration across all grades and subject areas. The 5th Annual Montana STEM Summer Institute will be held July 31-August 2 at MSU Bozeman. Registration is now open with an early bird rate of $191.25 thru May 31 and a rate of $180 for School Systems of Montana member schools.

You will enjoy exemplary K-12 STEM instruction and resources, inspiring national speakers, and the best of Bozeman and MSU. The interactive agenda is designed to spark curiosity about STEM practices and projects, not only for your students, but for educators, too. During the Institute you will discover how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics complement one another and combine to motivate powerful 21st century learning. Ignite your curiosity as you engage in purposeful networking, attend demonstration sessions and mini-workshops, and meet our inspirational keynote speakers. Discounted lodging options are available for attendees. Please visit the Montana STEM Summer Institute website for details.