Maine Forest Collaborative February Newsletter

HIGH SCHOOL

Telstar's Environmental Policy class is off to a strong start this year! We spent some time thinking about challenges in our communities. Students will be exploring current relevant environment related bills currently in the legislature in the coming weeks.

Schenck students are busy working on their action plan, emailing their design team and starting to move forward on steps that can be taken during winter for their project. 

Piscataquis students are also working on connecting with businesses in the area, planning field trips and making plans for video filming their advertising campaigns. 

TCTC students have been finalizing last details for ice fishing activity sessions they will be leading with a local fourth grade class with a lens toward ice fishing education and invasive species awareness tomorrow! 

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tremont students are working on their action plans and started salt marsh grass seeds earlier this week. 

Greenville students are continuing to work on action plans and finalize details of what they are going to do for their projects this year. 

Piscataquis students are deep in the weeds of preparing for maple sugaring season and working to actualize their action plan.

In the News

We discovered microbes in bark that eat climate gases

Now, for the first time, our research has uncovered the hidden world of the tiny organisms living in the bark of trees. We discovered they are quietly helping to purify the air we breathe and remove greenhouse gases. ->>> Full article

A Maine teacher, a drifting buoy and a classroom that builds moon habitats

Tremont science teacher Tonya Prentice is earning national honors while her students earn state ones, by giving students real-world science experiences—on land, at sea, and beyond Earth. ->>> Full article

Maine's first law to battle light pollution goes into effect this year 

A new state law would require outdoor lighting across Maine to be dimmed at night in an effort to protect the state's wildlife and dark skies. ->>>  Full Article

Grant Opportunities

Toshiba STEM Grants 

Are you a teacher with a groundbreaking idea to transform STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in your classroom? If you’re looking to implement project-based learning with measurable outcomes and make STEM subjects a thrilling experience for your students, we’re here to support you with an up to $5,000 grant (due 3/1). Learn more here! 

Engagement Opportunities

Maine Venture Fund Start-up Challenge

This could be something you apply for with students as part of their MFC project! The Maine Startup Challenge (“MSC”) is a statewide competition where students and aspiring entrepreneurs turn an idea (app, business or side hustle) into a one-page business plan and compete for cash prizes. Ideas and early-stage concepts are welcome!  No experience is required! Applications open April 1! Check it out here!

MSC has four entry tiers.  Each tier awards a 1st Place and a Runner-up prize to the best ideas in each category.

Prizes by Tier:

• K-8:  $1,000 (Runner-up:  $500)

  • High School:  $1,500 (Runner-up:  $500)

  • College:  $2,500 (Runner-up:  $1,000)

  • Open:  $8,000 (Runner-up:  $2,000)

Smart Greenhouse Project

We’re seeking 6th-12th grade educators for Smart Greenhouses, an NSF-funded MMSA project where plant science meets computer science!

The program begins with a summer institute at Colby College the week of July 20, where you’ll receive 5 days of hands-on training with our Smart Greenhouse kits. Then, during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, you’ll get to implement and adapt the NGSS-aligned curriculum in your classroom.

As part of this two-year commitment, you’ll receive:

• Free Smart Greenhouse kits for your classroom

• $7,000 in stipends for participation (over two years)

• Ongoing support from the MMSA team throughout the project

This opportunity is open to educators from all STEM disciplines. Any level of computer science experience is welcome (none is fine too!) Learn more and apply by March 1st!

For Teachers

Maple Sugaring in a Warming Climate

Join SubjectToClimate and Maine Environmental Education Association for a free webinar series for K–12 Educators!

How is maple sugaring in Maine being impacted by climate change and what ready-to-use resources are available for young people to explore questions about this? Join staff from the Gulf of Maine Research Institute as they dive into data-rich, place-based lesson materials created in collaboration with educators and maple professionals in the region.

This webinar is fourth in an 8-part series 'Empowering Maine Classrooms: Climate Lessons for Teachers' featuring Maine educators and partners sharing climate-focused lessons rooted in Maine’s Learning Results and communities.

Join MSTA & GMRI's CLE Group!

Free one year MSTA membership for GMRI CLE members!Not a CLE member? Join us now and learn more here! We meet monthly by region to learn from and with each other about strategies to increase data and climate literacy in students. If you have questions or want to sign up, contact Molly - mauclair@gmri.org

Wabanaki Studies PD

Virtual introductory sessions (attend either one if you did not participate in the fall): Jan 15th 3:30-4:30 and January 21st 4-5 PM

Independently complete Essentials for Teaching and Learning Wabanaki Studies Microcourse (10 hours)

In person gatherings (choose one, fall participants are welcome): 

• Lewiston area either 2/26, 2/28 or 3/1

• Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay - 1-3 PM 2/24

Independently complete Climate Education and Wabanaki Studies Microcourse (10 hours)

In person wrap up gatherings:

• Franklin County- either March 31, April 2, 4, 11

• Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls club 10-12 April 7

Register here!