Sensing for Science - K-2 STEM Curriculum
The Sensing for Science curriculum was created for Montana K-2 educators by the Montana State University Science Math Resource Center as part of the NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES project (Sensors, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Real Time Fire Science). The curriculum introduces early elementary students to the concepts of sensors, the functions of various sensors and the use of sensors in real-world scientific contexts to monitor the environment or solve problems.
In December 2025, we offered the curriculum and accompanying kit, valued at about $200, and educator interest exceeded expectations. To accommodate more applicants, we also created a lite version (around $100).
If you didn’t receive a kit, you can still access the downloadable curriculum, student worksheets, and cards below, along with a list of materials from both kit versions to help you build your own. All items were sourced from Amazon, but links are not included due to inconsistent availability. If a product is unavailable, you can substitute a similar item based on the description provided.
For questions about the curriculum, contact Suzi Taylor at taylor@montana.edu.
These were created in color, but they'll still work if printed in black and white.
- Instructional guide: a 24-page guide for educators, containing curricular instructions
- Snack Time Senses - student worksheet: single-sided
- Sensor Scavenger Hunt - student cards: double-sided, ideally printed on cardstock (or laminated) and cut along the dotted lines
- Sensor Scavenger Hunt - student worksheet: single-sided
- Memory Game (set 1) - student cards: double-sided, ideally printed on cardstock (or laminated) and cut along the dotted lines
- Memory Game (set 2) - student cards: double-sided, ideally printed on cardstock (or laminated) and cut along the dotted lines
- Sensing Light - student worksheet: double-sided
- Sensing Heat - student worksheet: single-sided
- Sensor Playground - student worksheet: double-sided
- Sensor Inquiry - student worksheet: double-sided
Information forthcoming
Information forthcoming
