When Robin Shropshire first came to teach at the University of Montana-Helena College of Technology (UMH) two years ago, she had visions of teaching science reasoning and real life science to her students.

HCT instructor Robin Shropshire talks about the school's new science lab. (Photos courtesy of IR and Jon Ebelt)

There was one small obstacle. The college has no science equipment. It doesn't even have a lab.

"There were a few hot plates, some bowling balls that previous physics teachers used, some beakers and rock samples," said Shropshire, an MEA-MFT member who teaches physics, chemistry, geology, and environmental science.

The college provided about $1,500 per year for nine different science classes-all the physical and natural sciences-for consumables such as chemicals. "But I didn't need consumables because I had nothing to consume them with," said Shropshire. "It was like having oil but no engine."

So Shropshire has had to make do by borrowing equipment from Carroll College and taking students to various locations around town for hands-on experiments. Life sciences instructor Tammy Filliater has been teaching her lab classes at Helena High School.

That's about to change. Thanks to Shropshire, UMH will soon acquire state-of-the art science equipment to meet the needs of its students.

In a move supported by MEA-MFT, the 2005 Legislature appropriated $4.4 million in grant money for equipment for Montana's two-year colleges. Each college got $200,000 of this money for program start-up, with the rest available through a competitive grant process.

In summer 2005, Shropshire wrote a successful grant proposal for $168,000-the biggest grant the school has ever received.

Then she toured around town and raised another $130,000 in matching funds from American Chemet, several state and county agencies, and elsewhere.

The funds will allow UMH to teach all the science classes that support the college's new RN nursing program. "Without this equipment, we literally could not teach those courses," said Shropshire.

According to Shropshire, starting out with no equipment was a blessing in some ways. "I was able to really think about what was needed," she said.

In a separate appropriation, the 2005 Legislature provided $7.5 million for renovations to the UM-Helena building that will result in two new science labs, so the college will have a place to put its new equipment.

The new facilities are scheduled for completion by April 2007. The college anticipates having the best science teaching facility in the state when it's all completed.

Shropshire is also working with colleagues to help elevate the college's math and science curriculum to rigorous, competitive levels.

Her "big picture" remains the same: teaching science reasoning. "One of my goals with all these science-focused programs is to help students problem-solve and think better-that translates directly to the workplace," she said.

Shropshire has plenty of workplace experience of her own. With a master's degree in contaminant hydrogeology, she previously worked for Duke Energy in Canada doing environmental health and safety in gas plants. She also worked as an environmental consultant with the energy industry and as a project officer for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, working on the Clark Fork River and Butte Priority Soils Superfund sites.

"I've worked in industry, as a consultant, and as a regulator," she said. "I bring a real-life perspective. I love my job. I really love the students. I'm constantly learning."

Congratulations to Robin Shropshire and our other members at UMH for leading the way!