Communities for Immunity

Communities for Immunity Banner

This winter, spectrUM is teaming up with the Association of Science and Technology Centers to offer a series of free, public events - virtual and in-person - designed to educate and engage with our community about the Covid-19 vaccine.

To promote the health of our community, spectrUM is offering a voucher for one free day of a spectrUM science camp if you or anyone in your household receives a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine in 2022. To redeem your voucher, contact Caitlin Ervin.

Here's how you can participate in spectrUM's Communities for Immunity Days:

Communities for Immunity Days at spectrUM and EmPower Place

Are you curious to learn more about the science of Covid-19, vaccines, and the immune system? Join spectrUM Discovery Area for our Communities for Immunity Day events, where you can explore hands-on science activities with spectrUM and Families First Learning Lab, meet UM health science researchers, and receive your Covid-19 vaccine at a pop-up clinic led by Curry Health Center. 

  • Jan. 27 from 2-6 pm at spectrUM, 455 E Main Street

  • Feb. 17 from 2-6 pm at EmPower Place, 1720 Wyoming Street

Masks are required at these free, public events.

Virtual Panel with Rocky Mountain Labs Scientists

Thursday, February 17, 4-5pm

Scientists from NIH's Rocky Mountain Laboratories will discuss their research on infectious diseases, including Covid-19, and answer audience questions. RML's Katelyn Andersen will moderate a discussion with:

  • Dr. Marshall Bloom (Associate Director for Scientific Management)

  • Dr. Catherine (Katy) Bosio (Chief of the Immunology to Pulmonary Pathogens Section)

  • Dr. Andrea Marzi (Chief of the Immunobiology and Molecular Virology Unit)

  • Dr. Karin Peterson (Chief of the Neuroimmunology Section)

Click here to learn more about the panelists.

Register to join this virtual event from home. You can also participate from spectrUM's museum floor.

The Science of Covid-19: Talk and Q&A with Dr. Doug Coffin

Tuesday, February 1st, 5-6pm

Cooper Event Space, 4th floor of the Missoula Public Library

Dr. Coffin will lead a discussion on the biology of the SARSCoV2 virus and how it caused the Covid-19 pandemic. We will consider strategies to manage the pandemic and the advantages of vaccination to reduce viral spread and Covid-19 severity.

Dr. Douglas Coffin is a Professor of Molecular Genetics at the University of Montana, Skaggs School of Pharmacy, where he teaches Pathophysiology and Pharmacology including lectures on Covid-19.

Learn more about this event.

Communities for Immunity is led by the Association of Science and Technology Centers and the American Alliance of Musuems and is made possible with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, visit www.communitiesforimmunity.org.