ACES Project

Aces Logo

The Authentic Community Engagement in Science (ACES) Project Description

Community Involvement

Atomic Circus in parade

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.

Place Based Learning

graphic image of a school

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.

Atomic Circus

Atomic Circus logo

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.

STEM Workshops

STEM workshop

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.

Community Engagement Night

Atomic Circus on stage

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.

Project Sites

map of Montana partner schools

Map of partner locations and school districts

SEPA logo - Science Education Partnership Award supported by the National Institutes of Health