Mobile STEM Center
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Check back next Spring for details on our 2026 STEM Van Tour Dates!
Our Generous Donors 
*Donation made in memory of Dorothy Ratcliff
**In-kind donation
$25,000+
$15,000 - $24,999
- Girl Scouts of the USA**
$5,000 - $9,999
$2,500 - $4,999
- Albert Parisian
- Gertrude Kamps Memorial Foundation
- Mission Endowment Trust of American Lutheran Church
- Breakfast Exchange Club of Billings
$1,000 - $2,499
- Holly Silkman
- Sally Leep
- Ultra Graphics
- AAUW Torrington-Wheatland
- Kingsbury Memorial Foundation
-
Northwestern Energy
- Sinclair Casper Refining Co.
-
Sisters of Charity of
Leavenworth
- Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative
$500 - $999
- 1776 Foundation
- Billings Mustangs Boosters Association
- Briana & Dan Rickman
- Cortni Cross
- Darci Hertz
- Laura Burback
- Marsh & McLennon Companies
- Susan Bronson
- Wendy Keating
- William Zietlow
$100 - $499
- Addington Accounting & Tax
- Alice Kessler
- Diane Ruff
- Doug Mullowney
- Edward King
- Energy Laboratories
- First Interstate Bank Foundation
- Freedom Oilfield Services
- Helen Doehling
- Jonathan Scheffter
- Julianne Monahan
- Katie Joy Schlegel
- Kelly Kastelitz
- Kendra Vachal
- Kimberley Neece
- Krista Heiken
- Lincoln Financial Advisors
- Linda Brill
- Madison Engineering
- Mandy Goodwin
- Mary Jane Luther
- Melissa Webb
- Melissa Yackley – Troop 2068
- Monica Parker
- Nicole Davidson
- Nikki Stenerson
- Rilla Hardgrove
- Sarah Megyesi
- Shelley Olson
- Sheri Snyder
- Sonya Rosenthal
- Thomas & Maureen Richardson
- Water & Environmental Technologies
- Wendi Brassington
- Western Montana Engineering
$1 - $99
- Alexandria Hildebrand
- Amanda Quiroz
- Amy Iddings
- Anna Ruechel
- Anne Sweney
- Ashley Picard
- Barbara Yonts
- Ben Stone
- Beth Hill
- Bonnie Speare
- Briana Black
- Bridget Moore
- Brittany Dimitryev
- Carol Hendricks
- Caty Gondeiro
- Chester Ackerman
- Clyde & Sally Wakefield
- Dani Moore
- Elizabeth Cotta
- Elizabeth Evans
- Helen Dunbar
- Jean Harm
- Jeana Lam-Pickett
- Jennifer Dowd
- Joe Polasik
- Judy Schofield
- Julia Thiebes
- Katie Lilleberg
- Kelly McCandless
- Kelsey Shurson
- Kori Ford
- Kristi Osterlund
- Laura Gossman
- Leslie Vandeventer
- Marilee Duncan
- Mark & Roberta Stauffer
- Marylis Filipovich
- Matthew Webb
- Melinda & Ken Young
- Nancy Brill
- Patti Scanlan
- Rachel Ravitz
- Ron & Charlene Scharf
- Shalese Gentry
- Shamika McDonald
- Shelby Alcorn
- Tiffany Thurston
*** CONTENT NO LONGER BEING USED ***
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I request the van?
At this point in time, no. We have several communities we need to serve first in order to fulfill specific funding requirements.
When will it come to my area?
We will provide a Summer STEM Van Tour Schedule on this page when we have one available. Please check back here for updates.
What technology is available?
Currently, we have one large 3D printer, many 3D pens, a life-sized anatomy figure (Ana Tomy) with removable parts, drones, virtual reality headsets, laptops, tablets, electronic telescopes, and our mobile StarLab Planetarium. As funding becomes available, we’ll purchase additional items.
It sounds like you have a lot of technology. How will the other letters of “STEM” be fulfilled?
Our Program Manager has developed a wide range of STEM activities that will fulfill all parts of STEM: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Girl Scouts also has over 35 STEM and financial literacy badges available, which will provide additional programming.
Have you met your fundraising goal?
We have raised over $185,000 for this project, but ongoing funds are always needed. Technology will need to be replaced and vehicle maintenance and fuel costs will be ongoing.
MOBILE STEM CENTER PHASES
Phase 1 – Purchase Van
COMPLETE
We have been fundraising for this new resource since October 2020. With a vehicle to purchase, equipment, materials and supplies, solar installation, retrofitting, long-term maintenance, fuel, insurance, and staff expenses, it has taken some time to raise enough funds to power this project. We are happy to report that the STEM Van has been purchased and the outside of the vehicle has been wrapped!
An estimated 67% of our Montana and Wyoming schools are in rural areas. This translates to hurdles that can include a lack of access to honors courses, high-level technology business exposure, as well as limited access to quality curriculum and vigorous and engaging math and science courses.
Phase 2 – Retrofit Van
COMPLETE
The next step to complete the STEM Van is to create a fully functional space, both inside and out. This will include custom built tables and storage cabinets inside, solar panels on top with electrical outlets, an awning on the outside, and various projector screens for demonstrations and virtual instructors. To ensure safety, we'll also be installing grab handles and stepping platforms.
Phase 3 – STEM Programming
COMPLETE
Even though the STEM Van has made a few appearances, it’s not yet ready to travel extensively. Over the winter, our plans are to complete Phase 2 with a launch date of Spring 2023. The STEM Van may make small appearances at special events or programs within your community, but the inside won’t be ready to view quite yet. We have purchased a lot of technology that can be used outside of the van so that STEM programming can begin while we’re completing Phase 2.
JOIN OUR TEAM! Apply to be our Seasonal STEM Program Specialist >
