i3 Missoula offers MCPS students unique, creative summer learning experience

Missoula County Public Schools, in partnership with the University of Montana and community businesses, will offer a summer program for high school students designed to inspire creativity and innovation through the process of collaborative thinking and problem-solving.

This exciting program, titled "i3 Missoula" ("Inspire-Imagine-Innovate") will involve 30 students in grades 9-12, as well as MCPS teachers and three University of Montana faculty members. The program will create six innovation teams – each comprised of five students and one faculty member. The program will run from July 8 through August 2 at The University of Montana; the selected 30 students will be paid a small stipend to participate in the program since it minimizes their opportunity to earn money during the summer. All eligible MCPS students have received letters inviting them to apply to participate in i3 Missoula. More information is available online at http://www.mcpsmt.org.

Alex Apostle, superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, said the teams involved in the program will identify questions for study in core disciplines of science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics. The teams will utilize non-traditional, collaborative strategies, including dialogue, facilitation and mentoring, to solve complex questions or problems. The teams will present their project results near the end of the experience in a community forum.

"i3 Missoula is a great example of 21st century teaching and learning. It reinforces the skills and knowledge that students need to master to be successful in today’s workforce. Students will experience a spontaneous, non-traditional learning environment where they have opportunities to collaborate with others, exchange ideas and collectively problem solve. It is a wonderful opportunity for students who want to be young entrepreneurs," Apostle said.

For additional information, contact Superintendent Apostle at 728-2400, ext. 1023, or Karen Allen, region 3 executive director, at 728-2400, ext. 1074 or at [email protected].