Maine Forest Collaborative March Newsletter
- Rural Aspirations
- Mar 17
- 7 min read
HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES
MFC students from Telstar, Tri-County Tech Center, Schenck, and Piscataquis Community Secondary School had an amazing cohort day at UMaine last month!
Students engaged in a session around environmental AI and got to play chess with a robotic arm, engaged in discussions around what it’s like to be a rural youth in Maine and shared their MFC projects with other schools where they gave and received feedback, and toured the Process Development Center where they learned about nanocellulose before they got to create with it themselves.
Schenck and Piscataquis Community Secondary School were able to spend the night at UMO to extend the learning about forestry, forest products, and innovation! Students got to build a blinking LED device, tour campus, eat at the Bear's Den, have some fun on the climbing wall, hear from an undergrad student panel from the School of Forest Resources, tour the Advanced Structures and Composite Center, see a show at the Versant Astronomy Center, and learn about opportunities to get more involved now through early college and the Pulp and Paper Foundation.
We are so grateful to UMaine, its staff and professors, MaineTREE Foundation and our funders for supporting this event. A huge thank you for the sponsors of this event, including the Maine Technology Institute, and E-RISE RII: Enhancing Maine Forest Economy, Sustainability, and Technology Ecosystem To Accelerate Innovation (Maine-FOREST).
MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATES
Mrs. Prentice's 7th and 8th grade classes, MFC, and Tatia Bauer of Maine Coast Heritage Trust were successfully awarded grant funding to implement their project this year on salt marsh restoration. Our solution will focus on: establishing marsh monitoring sites near the school, designing an experiment to find optimal growing conditions for native salt marsh species, and then actually engaging in salt marsh planting as part of larger restoration efforts in the area.
Ms. Tardif's students met with Jim Ferrante for a second time last month and worked on setting up a FERN plot at school. They are working on general forest health and will be working on a multifaceted project including managing invasives on the GCS campus, and planting native species spreading awareness about forest health and management, and expanding teacher's and students knowledge of forest monitoring at school.
In the News
UMF and outdoor recreation industry launch workforce development program
The University of Maine at Farmington recently launched an initiative designed to help meet the state’s current and future needs for skilled outdoor recreation professionals.
Scaling sustainable solutions for a plastic-free future
Tanbark Molded Fiber is leading the charge in sustainable packaging solutions. Based in Saco, Maine, this pioneering company is transforming the packaging industry by creating custom, sustainable molded fiber products that serve as compelling alternatives to single-use plastics.
Maine's congressional delegation wants more teenagers loggingOne Giant Leap: The world's first wooden satellite is orbiting Earth
In sustaining one of the state's most important heritage industries, elected officials believe the measure would help sustain Maine's identity, too.->>> Full article
For Students
Keller BLOOM Program
Do you know a Maine high school junior with an interest in the ocean? Then please spread the word that the application for our free Keller BLOOM program is now open!
Enrolled students will spend a week (May 18 to 23) living on our East Boothbay campus, gaining experience with advanced scientific equipment, and learning from world leaders in oceanographic research.
The Keller BLOOM program was started to provide students with a hands-on ocean science experience. BLOOM offers Maine high school juniors an opportunity to work alongside professional researchers and be immersed in a research environment. Through field sampling and laboratory activities including data collection, synthesis, and analysis, the students learn what a career as an ocean scientist involves.
Current Maine high school juniors are encouraged to apply by April 14th. No prior research experience is necessary. Bigelow Laboratory will provide chaperoned room and board.
Youth Day of Action
Save the date! We’re excited to announce the sixth annual Youth Day of Action!
On April 17th Maine Youth for Climate Justice, Maine Youth Power, Community Organizing Alliance, JustME for JustUS, MEEA Changemakers, and Young People’s Caucus will be hosting our annual Youth Day of Action at the State House in Augusta!, This is a day for youth in Maine to mobilize and present our vision and demands for our future. The day will include a rally, press conference, lobbying, learning, and networking., More information and registration coming soon
FREE Teach Maine PD
Connect with other educators, learn new skills and strategies, have lunch on us, and earn contact hours! We thank the campuses of the University of Maine System for hosting these workshops.
Classroom Management
March 22, 2025, 9:30am-1pm
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Learn effective classroom management strategies that foster a positive learning environment, reduce disruptive behaviors, and enhance student engagement and achievement. This session is designed to provide practical tools, insights, and actionable steps that align with current educational best practices. Register here.
Experiential Learning
April 5, 2025, 9:30am-1pm
University of Maine Orono
This professional development session focuses on equipping educators with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to effectively implement experiential learning in their classrooms. Participants will explore how hands-on, real-world learning experiences enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and deeper understanding of content. Registration coming soon.
Self-Care
May 3, 2025, 9:30am-1pm
University of Southern Maine
This session focuses on promoting the well-being and resilience of educators through self-care strategies. Participants will learn how to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental health to sustain their passion for teaching, enhance their effectiveness in the classroom, and model healthy behaviors for students. Registration coming soon.
Phenology Investigations with Youth
Join Maine Sea Grant, GMRI, and Coastal Mountains Land Trust for this in-person phenology workshop for educators.
When: April 16
Where: UMaine Cooperative Extension-Knox Lincoln Counties Office in Waldoboro.
What: Educators will be provided with activities and resources from the Signs of the Seasons program and the NASA-supported GLOBE project to explore Maine species, their life cycles, and seasonal changes. Phenology, the study of the timing of recurring life cycle events, documents nature’s calendar, when birds build their nests, tree buds burst, and foliage changes color. Phenology is also a leading indicator of our changing climate, and observing it allows students opportunities for hands-on, outdoor learning experiences that build deeper connections to their local environment. Observations can occur on school campuses, community parks, and just about any convenient location that can be accessed throughout the school year. Activities support student learning, and are fun STEAM experiences for all ages! Participants will practice making phenology observations, and leave with the tools and knowledge needed to implement activities in their school/community. Participating educators will receive a $75 stipend, mileage reimbursement, dinner, contact hours, and activity resources., 4:00 – 7:00 pm
Science & History Intersect: Celebrating Rural Maine Professional Learning Series
Dates: April 12, May 17 Time: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Zoom Theme: Geography of the Place We Now Call Maine
April 12 | Transitioning Landscapes – Expanding on the theme of shifting landscapes, Chris Sockalexis will discuss the Wabanaki transition from land-based to ocean-based resource use. Dr. Matt McCourt will examine the transformation of Maine’s landscape from the time of European settlement to the present. This session will provide a scientific perspective on environmental changes, landscape evolution, and resource utilization over time.
May 17 | Present Day – Examine contemporary climate change challenges and rural geographical explorations. This session highlights how Indigenous knowledge and modern environmental science intersect to inform sustainable land practices.
Why Participate?
Engage with interdisciplinary content that blends geography, environmental science, and cultural studies. Learn strategies for integrating primary sources into your teaching. Earn five contact hours per session.
Maine Agriculture in the Classroom Summer Teacher Institute
MAITC is thrilled to announce that Colby College in Waterville will host the 2025 Summer Teachers Institute! The week will start with lunch on Monday, July 28th and finish at lunchtime on Friday, August 1st.
Housing and meals will be at the college with two days of tours offered on Wednesday and Thursday by custom coach in central and mid-coast Maine.
Lessons are aligned to standards and 38 contact hours / 3.8 CEU’s will be awarded.
Scholarships are available on a first come basis.
Deadline to register is July 14th or until full.
Email questions and scholarship requests to maitc@maine.gov
Every Teacher a Leader Conference
The Teach Maine Center is excited to announce that the first annual Every Teacher a Leader Conference will take place from July 30 to August 1 at Colby College. Modeled after the popular ECET2ME convenings, teachers across Maine will have the opportunity to come together to build community, attend workshops by and for teachers, earn contact hours, and grow as leaders.
This year’s Every Teacher a Leader Conference will offer workshops centered around leading for innovation, leading for equity, leading through relationships, and leading with best practices in the classroom. There will also be plenty of time to connect with other teachers and have fun! Registration will open later this month and will be shared through this newsletter and on our social media so be sure you are following us on Facebook and Instagram. Stay tuned for additional details!
Self-Paced Educatior Project Wild PD
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program that focuses on wildlife and habitat. The goal of Project WILD is to develop awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. In 2025, Project WILD will be offering over TEN self-paced professional development opportunities for educators, including:
Project WILD
Aquatic WILD
Flying WILD
Climate and Wildlife
Growing Up WILD (Currently not available)
WILD About Bats
WILD About Monarchs (coming soon)
Project WILD Essentials: Facilitator Training (coming soon)
WILD for Faculty (coming soon)
Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation (coming soon)
Healthy Connections (coming soon)
Room to Roam (coming soon)
Visit here to learn more!
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