Authentic Community Engagement in Science (ACES)

The Authentic Community Engagement in Science (ACES) Project Description

The ACES project works with local teachers and biomedical professionals to develop a culturally relevant, place-based biomedical and STEM curriculum ensuring all students can identify and have role models in these fields.

Before and after the Atomic Circus and STEM workshops science curriculum in project schools will allow students a hands-on experience in examining a science-based issue or problem relevant to their community.

The Atomic Circus Biochemistry stage show, which uses a rock band, interpretive dancers, actors, and projected video, highlights local healthcare professionals and STEM researchers. The show reinforces science concepts students learned in school-based curriculum.

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) workshops take place after the Atomic Circus show and provide students with hand-on experiences to reinforce STEM concepts.

An evening showing of the Atomic Circus will be available to the public and will also feature a research bus open house and accompanying IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)-based biomedical researcher.

Map of partner locations and school districts

2022 - MSUB faculty demonstrate basic science on the Montana Morning Show

2022 - ACES grant and the Atomic Circus featured in Simply Local Billings magazine

2021 - The National Institutes of Health awards MSUB professors grant for science program