On Saturday, November 13th, Montana Science Center will host local professionals in science and technology careers with the Women in STEM event. Montana Science Center supports diversity and equity in STEM Careers through hands-on experiences in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Montana Science Center frequently holds a Women in STEM Series, celebrating international days of recognition for women in STEM careers. Each of these celebrations features interactive activities for families with children of all ages.

MSC’s Women in STEM Series focuses on local women in our community who are students, undergraduate and graduate, at Montana State University, professionals, or retirees. These women are building careers in a STEM field. The Series event also features women who are part of the Science Center’s Women in STEM Advisory Group. The guest presenters at Women in STEM share their field of study through interactive, hands-on activities that relate to their careers. This event’s group includes Montana PBS, a volcanologist, an ecology and conservation biologist and an environmental engineer. “We look forward to partnering with women in STEM careers in our community because it encourages visitors of all ages to consider career paths that they might have not considered before. Additionally, visitors of all ages can see women in non-traditional career paths. Many children are curious about how real world problems are solved by professionals in our community, and the Women in STEM Series invites visitors to learn something new about companies, industries and available careers in our community,” says Executive Director, Abby Turner.

The public is invited to this event, which will be held at the Montana Science Center at 2744 W. Main St. from 10am to 1pm on Saturday. The event is free with admission and included with a family membership. All questions can be directed to Emma Papasian, program coordinator for the Montana Science Center.

Gallatin Valley Mall has been closed the last five years on Thanksgiving; a decision that will be repeated this year after receiving overwhelming support from retailers and customers. The mall will be open 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Black Friday, with select retailers opening at 6:00 AM.

Gallatin Valley Mall Assistant Mall Manager, Erin Brester, states: “It has always been our priority to allow for our retailers, both national and local, to determine what works best for their employees and customers concerning Thanksgiving shopping hours. We’re pleased to give this day back to our employees and their families”.

Gallatin Valley Mall’s business hours will continue to be 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday and 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sundays. Beginning Monday, November 22, select retailers will open as early as 10AM and close as late as 8PM Monday – Saturday and 6PM Sundays. Individual store hours may vary and can be found at gallatinvalleymall.com, or just call first!

The Bozeman Symphonic Choir will present Elements of Life, a celebration of choral music that highlights faith, music, love, and living, in works by Z. Randall Stroope, Bruckner, Pärt, Whitacre, Bernstein, and Andrea Ramsey. This introspective program features comforting harmonies, like those found in Bernstein's Psalm 23 from his Chichester Psalms as well as Stroope’s Os Justi (The Mouth of the Righteous). This transcendent collection of pieces will be on display in the beautiful acoustic setting of Holy Rosary Church in Bozeman.

When Bozeman Symphonic Choir Conductor Jon Harney set out to program this performance, three over-arching themes emerged: faith, music, and love/living, and thus the title of this program, Elements of Life.

“These themes, that have become even more relevant throughout our pandemic-challenged lives, will be shared in this concert that we hope will leave you inspired and hopeful,” said Harney.

Due to the pandemic, the Bozeman Symphonic Choir last performed at the 2019 December Holiday concert during the Bozeman Symphony’s Music Director Search season when current Music Director Norman Huynh conducted for the first time in Bozeman.

“It's been nearly two years since the Bozeman Symphonic Choir last performed for you, and so we are delighted to bring live choral music to Bozeman audiences again,” said Harney.

Additionally, the choir will join the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra for two performances during the 2021/22 season, including the first Bozeman Symphony Presents series concert, Holiday Spectacular, on December 11th and 12th, and for the final classical series concert of the season, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, on May 21st and 22nd.

Elements of Life performances will be held in person on Friday, November 12th at 7:00 PM and Sunday, November 14th at 3:00 PM, at Holy Rosary Church (220 West Main Street, downtown Bozeman). The Symphony wishes to thank Michael and Sharon Beehler for sponsoring this performance.

Ticketing: All tickets are general admission for $27 and are available for purchase online at bozemansymphony.org or by phone at 406-585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Please contact the Bozeman Symphony at 406-585-9774 or info@bozemansymphony.org with questions you have regarding performance, ticket sales, venue, seating information, and COVID-19 safety protocols.

Jon Harney, Bozeman Symphonic Choir Conductor - Jon Harney is an associate professor of music at MSU where he teaches voice and choir. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, where he studied under Weston Noble, and Masters and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota where he studied with Clifton Ware. As a tenor soloist, he has sung more than twenty-five principal and supporting roles in opera, operetta, and major works with orchestra and chorus. While active with the University of Minnesota opera theater, he appeared as The Sailor in Dido and Aeneas, Fenton in Falstaff, Nemorino in The Elixir of Love, Don José in Carmen, Ferrando in Cosi fan tutte and Junki in the US premier of Rautavaara's Aleksis Kivi. Other roles in the midwest included Dr. Caius in Falstaff and Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro with the Pine Mountain Music Festival, Fenton in The Merry Wives of Windsor with Dorian Opera Theatre and Frederick in a touring production of The Pirates of Penzance with the Madison-based Opera for the Young. He earned an honorable mention award in the 1998 Minnesota District Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Performances in Montana have included the roles of Edmondo in Manon Lescaut and Remendado in Carmen with the Intermountain Opera as well as Bach's Magnificat and Handel's Messiah with the Bozeman Symphony, Mozart's Vespers with the Butte Symphony and Mozart's Requiem with the Great Falls Symphony. Full biography, HERE.

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BOZEMAN -- A Montana State University professor’s book on the history and science of wheat has been named to the longlist for a national award.

“Amber Waves: The Extraordinary Biography of Wheat, from Wild Grass to World Megacrop,” written by Catherine Zabinski, has been included in the 2022 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in the Young Adult Science Book category.

The prize celebrates outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults and is meant to encourage the writing and publishing of high-quality science books for all ages. Some criteria finalists had to meet include having the ability to engage young adult readers in all aspects of science; encourage the discussion and understanding of scientific ideas; enable high school readers to view science and technology thoughtfully; and more. Finalists for the 2022 prize will be announced in November. The winners will be announced in January 2022.

The book, Zabinski’s first, was published in September 2020. The professor in the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences in MSU’s College of Agriculture said she wrote the book to tell the story of how humans have altered the evolution of wheat for people who don’t necessarily have a science background.

The longlist titles in the 2022 Young Adult Science Book category are: 

• “Amber Waves: The Extraordinary Biography of Wheat, from Wild Grass to World Megacrop,” by Catherine Zabinski. The University of Chicago Press, 2020.
• “Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life,” by Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. Illustrated by Claire Lenkova. Translated by Sarah Pybus. Greystone Books, 2021.
• “Genesis: The Story of How Everything Began,” by Guido Tonelli. Translated by Erica Segre and Simon Carnell. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021.
• “Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution’s Mysteries Solved,” by Kenneth Catania. Princeton University Press, 2020.
• “How to Make a Vaccine: An Essential Guide for COVID-19 and Beyond,” by John Rhodes. The University of Chicago Press, 2021.
• “The Loneliest Polar Bear: A True Story of Survival and Peril on the Edge of a Warming World,” by Kale Williams. Crown, 2021. 
• “Ms. Adventure: My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava, and Life,” by Jess Phoenix. Timber Press, 2021.
• “Pipe Dreams: The Urgent Global Quest to Transform the Toilet,” by Chelsea Wald. Avid Reader Press, 2021.
• “A Series of Fortunate Events: Chance and the Making of the Planet, Life, and You,” by Sean B. Carroll. Princeton University Press, 2020.

In August, the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted several changes to the 2021/2022 wolf hunting and trapping regulations.

Changes include eliminating quotas, increasing the number of wolf trapping and hunting licenses allowed for individual hunters, extending wolf trapping seasons and the allowance of snares to harvest wolves.

The changes also specified that hunters are allowed to purchase and possess 10 wolf hunting licenses – a separate license for each wolf they harvest – and trappers are allowed a bag limit of 10 wolves. This means an individual who hunts and traps can take a total of 20 wolves in a license year.

The regulations initially said hunters and trappers could take 10 wolves total. The regulations will be corrected to align with the intent of the commission.

“We want to make this clarification so hunters, trappers and members of the public are clear about the wolf regulations for this hunting and trapping season,” said FWP Director, Hank Worsech.

For more information on hunting and trapping wolves in Montana, visit fwp.mt.gov. To view the current wolf harvest status, visit the online harvest page.

Bozeman Parking teams up with Gallatin Valley Food Bank to “Can the Griz” by reducing parking tickets through canned goods

Bozeman, MT— The City of Bozeman Parking Division is partnering with Gallatin Valley Food Bank to collect canned good donations in exchange for reduced parking citation fees from November 6-20. The program is a part of “Can the Griz,” an annual friendly, off-field competition between Montana State University and the University of Montana to see which school can collect the most donations for their local food bank.

How does the program work?
• Drop-off locations will be available from November 8-20 at the Bozeman City Hall Finance Department (121 N Rouse Ave) from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12:30– 3 p.m. Monday – Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Individuals with outstanding parking citations will be able to reduce their ticket by $2 for each can up to five cans, individuals who bring in five cans will get their citation reduced by half (the maximum amount that can be reduced.)
• Eligible citations include: overtime citations, parking garage citations, street maintenance citations, and Montana State University/Bozeman High School parking permit citations
• Tickets issued for safety violations will not be eligible to participate
• Citations issued in the last year (after November 21, 2020) are eligible for reduction
• Any can brought in will only apply to the base citation amount and cannot be applied toward late fees or collections fees

Bozeman Parking Manager Mike Veselik says, “The opportunity to support this great cause and give people a chance to get their tickets paid off seemed like a perfect match for Bozeman Parking. If you’ve got a parking ticket that’s collecting dust, don’t wait. Get it paid off for less and help us can the Griz!”

The program will be in place for the entire length of Can the Griz from November 6 -20 (City Hall drop off locations will open Monday November 8.) For more information on the Can the Griz Food Drive as well as a list of desirable items visit canthegriz.com

Virtual events are becoming all the more important, especially during a global pandemic, and there are some key advantages. Costs are lower, both for setup and attendee admission. People can interact from all across the globe without spending ludicrous amounts on hotels or flights. You may even be able to hire high demand speakers that don’t have the time to commit to an in-person event, and people that won’t be able to make in-person events can attend from their own homes.

Perhaps you’ve heard all about this but are not sure how to host one of your own? Fortunately, we’ve consolidated the most helpful tips on how to plan a successful virtual event. Let’s take a look!

1. Understanding your target audience

Before you begin planning, you will need to know your target audience like the back of your hand. Just like any marketing plan, the backbone lies with an understanding of your ideal customer. These are the sorts of questions that you need to ask yourself:

• How familiar are your audience with social media?
• What subject in your industry are your audience most interested in?
• What incentives do not respond to the best (e.g. sweepstakes, discount codes, competitions)?

Test the water and send out surveys to your audience, facilitating a discussion to acquire the data you need to plan. Don’t begin planning until you have a full grasp of your target audience.

2. Defining your format

Much like a conference, there are many flavors to virtual events. They can take the form of a single person presenting, or they could be more like a workshop or tradeshow. Whatever form your event will take, the key is to make it unique and something that stands out from your competitors.

Be crystal clear about what the audience will see, setting clear expectations about your event from the get-go. Will your audience be able to interact and ask live questions? Try to make use of this functionality as it will boost engagement. Are there cameras going to be on? If so, they will need to know this in advance. Will the event be high-level or tactical? Set the stage to make sure that the people registering, know exactly what they will get. By having a strong sense of purpose, you can also leverage the ‘why’ in promotional emails that remind those who are marked as attending as to why they signed up in the first place. Reminding a registrant will be valuable, refreshing their memory and increasing the likelihood that they will turn up.

3. Choose your platform

With all the live streaming services out there, which do you choose? There is no right answer to this question - it depends on your needs. In general, we’d recommend looking into services such as Facebook Livestream, Zoom, Periscope, and YouTube live. Most of these services offer free trials way can perform dry runs. To make use of these before your event - you should become familiar with the basic functionalities of your platform, and have the timeline down to a T.

4. Choosing a host

Special consideration needs to be placed on who will host the event. If you think of yourself as a prominent public speaker, you can take the lead. It’s not uncommon for many companies to hire a professional speaker, or choose in-house members of staff who have had presentation experience - the kind that can respond at the spur of the moment to unexpected events. After all, there are a lot of things that can go wrong with live streaming such as poor connectivity or technical issues.

Whoever will be hosting the event, should speak clearly and respond to queries through social media and any relevant tech channels. The audience needs to feel a personal connection with direct eye contact, so get them comfortable looking directly into the camera. Anybody can spot script reading from a mile away!

5. Marketing your event

Your marketing plan shouldn’t differ from that of any face-to-face event. We recommend using social media to get the hype out well in advance of the event. Make use of all the channels to provide information, entice people to register, and create engaging content that can be shared amongst people. Perhaps you can make use of channels such as Snapchat or Instagram to show viewers where the event will take place? You could link to the biography of the speaker, a tutorial video on how to access the event on the day, or even use this as an opportunity to share content that will complement the event’s topic such as an e-book or infographic. Make use of all the tools available to build brand recognition.

6. Choose your venue

You may be thinking what this means considering virtual events are online - “can’t I just host it from my bedroom with a background screen?”. While this is certainly an option for a budget event, you should make a virtual event look just how an in-person event would. People want to feel like they’re in a real-life space and feel a personal connection. Consider hiring a space that you can fill with basics such as audiovisual equipment and a podium. Your camera should be zooming in and out, giving your audience a good view of your background. If you’re a bit strapped for cash, at least decorate your room as best you can to fit the theme of the event, avoiding the need to hide in front of a cheesy and cheap-looking background screen.

7. Choosing a date and time

One great thing about virtual events is that geographical concerns are a non-issue. However, people can become complacent and not turn up because nothing is constraining them to attend. The best times to host are generally the weekends and early evenings, but it is an inexact science.

Time zones are critical and more relevant than ever, so research your target audience and think about where they are located. How many overseas followers do have? If the majority are overseas, in what time zone? Are you looking to conquer a particular market? Which one, and what time zone represents it? Gather information from your audience to suggest when people are most available. You could send out surveys or emails to collect data. If you are contacting people in a time zone that would not suit them, ask them how likely they would be considering certain times. As a last resort, suggest that you can always upload a recording of the event on a channel such as YouTube.

Virtual events are different because people can log off at any time at their convenience. Attendees are also more likely to get bored or notice “dead time”, given that they are most likely watching from their own home. The event itself should be kept as short as possible to focus your audience’s attention. Practice makes perfect - get everything down to an efficient format and make sure everything runs smoothly.

Conclusion

Now that you read our article, we hope that you can host a successful virtual event that engages and connects your audience to your company. Be sure to boost engagement by offering a range of interactive elements, responding quickly to queries, offering excellent speakers, and having everything run smoothly. Once you’ve got a great plan in place, round it all off with a tech-savvy social media campaign that gets the word out. Last but not least, practice until perfect. Good luck and all the best!