Bringing Public Health to the Classroom
The Public Health in the Schools Initiatives connect Montana high school students with the vital work of public health through dynamic classroom presentations, a comprehensive curriculum, teacher workshops, and community health fairs. By highlighting real-world careers and fostering awareness, we aim to inspire the next generation of public health professionals across the state.
Made in Montana: Our Stories Told Our Way
A Student-led Public Health Art Campaign
We are thrilled to launch our new student-led public health art campaign, Made in Montana: Our Stories Told Our Way!
This art campaign aims to elevate the voices of students and give them a platform to share their stories and experiences through art.
Every community is unique, and we want to hear what your students are passionate about, what challenges your community faces, and what successes you would like to celebrate. Students are invited to show us a story of health in your community - your way.
Think beyond doctors, hospitals, and healthcare. What people, places, traditions, environments, or ideas help your community stay healthy?
Any Montana K-12 student is eligible to enter. There will be two submission categories:
- Art Showcase (non-judged, participation guarantees entry to showcase)
- Art Exhibition (judged, participation does not guarantee entry to exhibition)
- The Art Exhibition submissions will be divided into two categories: submissions from those under the age of 14 and submissions from those over the age of 14.
The Guidance Document provides additional details about the project as well as a What is Public Health? info sheet.
Students should follow this link with a parent or guardian to learn more.
This art campaign was funded in part by the Montana Healthcare Foundation. The Montana Public Health Training Center is solely responsible for the statements and conclusions in this campaign.
Public Health Where We Live and Learn
A Practical Toolkit for Montana Health Departments to Engage with Schools
We are thrilled to share a new resource for health departments to engage with students and schools!
Co-created with input from local health departments, DPHHS, educators, and University of Montana students and faculty, this toolkit is designed to help local and tribal public health departments build meaningful, manageable connections with K-12 students and schools.
Grounded in real-world practice and shaped by public health partners across Montana, this resource offers practical guidance, ready-to-use activities, and flexible engagement strategies that fit a range of capacity levels.
Not sure where to start? We provided a 1-hour training on how to best navigate and utilize the toolkit on July 23, 2026. A link to the recording is available along with the toolkit at the link below.
To access the toolkit and associated training, follow this link to sign the guest book and download the resource.
This toolkit was funded in part by the Montana Healthcare Foundation. The Montana Public Health Training Center is solely responsible for the statements and conclusions in this toolkit.
Public Health Curriculum
Comprehensive High School Public Health Lessons
Our public health curriculum can be accessed via TRAIN Montana, a national learning network that gives Montanans access to a catalog of high-quality public health training opportunities.
If you are new to TRAIN, you will first need to create an account. Once your account is active, navigate to the curriculum by following this link.
These resources are frequently updated, as public health is an ever-changing field. If you notice broken links, please let us know.
Virtual Spring Teacher Workshop
Public health is all around us, shaping the conditions that help students, families, and communities stay healthy and safe. This virtual workshop, held on May 21, 2026, introduced Montana educators to the Public Health in Schools initiative and explored how public health concepts can be brought into classrooms through real-world, locally relevant examples. Participants learned about the importance of public health career exposure, the current need to strengthen the public health workforce pipeline, and practical ways schools and health departments can partner to help students see public health in their own communities.
This workshop was designed for teachers, school staff, health department partners, and anyone interested in helping students better understand what public health is, why it matters, and how it connects to meaningful careers and community problem-solving.
Access the recording and workshop materials here.
This project was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under a contract with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, as part of a financial assistance award totaling $776,950 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, the U.S. Government, or the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Get Involved
Schools and public health professionals interested in partnering with us in this important work, please reach out to anna.kiley@mso.umt.edu or kayla.chipongian@mso.umt.edu