Community Development Partnerships

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The Link: A Collective-Impact, Place-Based Approach to Inspiring Montana’s Next-Generation Healthcare Work Force

Led by the City of Missoula, the LINK, is a collective that includes Missoula Public Library, University of Montana, and Flathead Reservation tribal partners and is devoted to building on-ramps to STEM education and career pathways that align with the unique needs of the Missoula community and Flathead Reservation students. Together with our community, the LINK is creating a dynamic health-science learning hub in the Missoula Public Library awarded Best Public Library in the World 2022 by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Funded by an award of $1.3 million dollars from the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program of the National Institutes Health, Missoula is the first city in the nation to receive a SEPA grant.

Designed with our community, the LINK collective is creating:

 -a one-of-a-kind DNA Playground Exhibition, housed in our public library, that explores the DNA of Self and Place that includes a two-story DNA climber, a DNA of Missoula mural that integrates health sciences, and a STEM animal ribs climber with organ pillows for early learners.

-a world-class UM Living Lab embedded on the 1st floor of the library that provides a space to reach and engage early learners as participants in ongoing UM behavioral research while positively engaging the public, children, and their families with STEM, research, STEM role models, and minds-on activities related to DNA, neuroscience, and psychology.

LINK collective partners include: spectrUM Discovery Area, Missoula Parks and Recreation, 5210 Let's Move! Missoula, Families First Learning Lab, MCAT (Missoula Community Access Television), Summit Independent Living, and the National Living Laboratory. 

Science Education Partnership Award (nihsepa.org)