The Authentic Community Engagement in Science (ACES) Project builds on the power of collaborative partnerships and community engagement. Centering on fifth grade students, the ACE Project seeks to build knowledge and interest in biomedical and STEM careers throughout Eastern Montana.

To accomplish this goal, the ACES project will include a comprehensive set of “STEM experiences” for students and community members including: (1) The Atomic Circus Biochemistry stage show, which uses a rock band, interpretive dancers, actors, and projected video, to highlight local healthcare professionals and STEM researchers; (2) STEM-based workshops that take place after the show at each partner school; (3) place-based STEM curricula co-created by ACE researchers with teams of teachers at each partner school, and; (4) Community Engagement Night with a public Atomic Circus show with INBRE Research displays.

The ACES Project will travel to several communities in Eastern Montana over the course of 5 years. Overall, this project is innovative in its multifaceted approach to working with rural and Native students and calls upon promising, yet under-used, approaches in culturally relevant and place-based pedagogies, based in the Next Generation Science Standards, in order to make lasting changes in communities around support for biomedical and STEM fields.

Project Team

Dr. Matt Queen has spent the last six years working in chemistry education. Since being hired at MSUB, Dr. Queen has created a more student-centered general chemistry program in the science department. He has presented papers on his work in active learning at two separate Biannual Conferences on Chemistry Education and has published two book chapters on active learning in the general chemistry classroom. His efforts have earned him the Cox Fellowship (the highest honor bestowed on a junior faculty member at MSUB), as well as an Associated Students of MSB Outstanding Faculty Award, and a Faculty Excellence award. He has also worked with Billings area high schools to develop dual credit opportunities for chemistry.

Dr. Amanda Obery brings her experience as a science educator for over 12 years, teaching 9-12 biology and chemistry, and developing comprehensive science curriculum for several rural schools in Montana. She has also worked with the state to help develop assessments for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), including reviewing Montana state standardized tests for Science. In her capacity as an Assistant Professor of Math & Science Education at Central Washington University, Dr. Obery trains pre-service teachers in how to develop curriculum and teach science effectively, integrating three-dimensional learning and teaching based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education into her courses.

Dr. Dan Willems completed his formal studies obtaining a Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 2016. During that time, and continuing after, he has pursued research into the lipid based biochemical mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Dr. Willems’ research is focused on dementia and dementia-related neurodegenerative disorders, primarily AD, but also Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. His attention is focused on the use of novel and innovative mass spectrometry (MS) techniques for the characterization of lipid species. He has significantly contributed to the design and manufacture of microfluidic devices for use in real-time metabolomic studies using raw biofluids.

Contact Us

ACES Advisory Board

Kristin Peterman - Director MSUB New Student Services

Christine Williams - NE Montana AHEC Director and Director of Education for Montana Health Network  

Sunny Day Real Bird – MSUB Native American Achievement Center

Kim Anthony - Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Billings Public Schools

Sarah Codd - Director of Montana INBRE Student Programs