Middle School Cohort Day!
Greenville and Tremont middle school students had their first cohort day at the University of Maine Orono earlier this month and had a great time learning about natural resource challenges and innovations here in Maine! They did som rapid prototyping in the morning and then split up
to do sessions at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, touring their 3D printer and home and wind turbine model facility, the Process Development Center where they learned about nanocellulose and got to make some art with it, and worked with the Aquaculture Research Institute where they got to build an aquaponics system and view the critters in the touch tank.
Each school also presented a "Map of Place" presentation to share with the other school a little about their place and what they have been learning this year. Check out Tremont's and Greenville's here!
In the News
Development of a "trail for all" at Buck's Ledge
The focus of this year's celebration was the development of what is being called the 'Trail for All'.
Future homes could be pieced together like gingerbread houses
Stronger than cross-laminated timber and lighter than steel, mass plywood panels is driving faster and more sustainable construction.
Maine land bank's first test will be re-developing East Millinocket site
The former Great Northern paper mill in East Millinocket is the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority’s first project. ->>> Full article
Grants
Youth Garden Grant!
KidsGardening aims to help kids play, learn, and grow through gardening, and supports educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids.
KidsGardening invites applications for its 2025 Youth Garden Grants program. A total of 50 youth garden programs will be awarded $500 in funding and a collection of gardening supplies.
Organizations must have 15 or more youth participating in its garden program and support, work with, or serve communities with a majority of individuals that are under-resourced (systematically denied resources and opportunities based on race, gender, ethnicity, income level, abilities, geographic location, etc., or currently experiencing hardship such as a natural disaster, etc.).
For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the KidsGardening website.
For Students
OUT Maine Youth Advisory Board accepting applications
OUT Maine’s Youth Advisory Board is a group of young adults with the goal to achieve a safer community for queer and trans youth through education, advocacy, and youth-driven events. We’re looking for new members for 2025! This is a paid position for youth ages 14-22! Apply here!
For Teachers
Climate Education Professional Development
This program is focused on Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge. It is a unique, year-long initiative designed to empower teachers in grades 5-12 to integrate climate science and Indigenous knowledge into their teaching practices.
This initiative focuses on developing culturally relevant, place-based climate education materials that braid Indigenous and Western knowledge, broadening student engagement and understanding of pressing climate change issues. Teachers will collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to create and refine curricular materials supported by project partners.
This program is funded by a State of Maine grant and brought to you through a partnership between:
RSU 34, RSU 26, and the Indian Island School, The Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center) at the University of Maine, Orono Economic Development Corporation and the Penobscot River Education Partnership, Prof. J. Saros, Associate Director of UMaine Climate Change Institute
Time Commitment: 52 hours of professional learning and curriculum development (in-person and virtual) spread across the 2024-2025 school year (January - June).
Curriculum Development: Participants will create, implement, and refine place-based, project-based curricular materials.
Support: Expert guidance from project partners throughout the process.
You will receive $35/hour for professional development work (up to 52 hours), Travel expenses covered, Up to $500 available for materials funding.
Interested in joining this exciting opportunity? Please complete the application survey. We are only accepting 10 teachers, with preference given to those in the Penobscot River Education Partnership (PREP) region.
SURVEY Applications are due by Friday, November 22, 2024
NOAA Teacher at Sea
MFC's newest teacher, Tonya Prentice who is piloting middle school this year at Tremont Consolidated School participated this past summer and had an amazing time!
NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed on NOAA surveys monitoring our nation’s fisheries, measuring physical and chemical ocean trends, and charting unknown regions of the seafloor.
Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA’s science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA’s mission to communities across the nation.The online application for NOAA Teacher at Sea Program's 2025 Field Season is now open until the first Monday in December, available here. All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 pm PT on December 2, 2024.
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