SMART FIRES and MSU Support Inclusive STEAM Learning

  • A camper and his MAC mentor collect plant material for a solar printing project
  • Playful exploration helps campers uncover the forces that keep the Orbiter flying
  • A camper uses inquiry and observation to discover what makes a toy bird sing

SMART FIRES was proud to once again support Montana State University’s Inclusive Community Camp, where children explored science through hands-on activities, sensory experiences, and technology. Campers practiced thinking like scientists by asking questions, testing ideas, making observations, and drawing conclusions while having fun in an active, creative, and welcoming environment.

The camp brings together children with and without disabilities to learn and collaborate through STEAM-focused experiences. MSU Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) candidates serve as camp guides, gaining valuable practicum experience while working with children of diverse abilities. Campers are also supported by MSU faculty and staff, as well as experienced educators who help create an enriching and inclusive learning experience for everyone involved.

SMART FIRES activities used in the camp included the Sensing for Science Kit and Build a Fire Ready Forest Bracelet. Educators adapted lessons to meet individual camper needs through sensory accommodations, modified materials, alternative communication and recording methods, flexible pacing, strategic peer partnerships, and personalized supports. These adaptations helped ensure that every camper could actively participate in scientific inquiry, demonstrating how SMART FIRES resources can be used to create inclusive, accessible, and engaging STEAM experiences in classrooms, camps, and informal learning settings.