Welcome to the MFC 2024-2025 School Year!
Our schools this year include:
Tri-County Tech Center (FY)
Schenck High School (FY)
Belfast Area High School (fall)
Telstar High School (fall & spring)
Piscataquis Community Secondary School (spring)
Ecology Learning Center (spring)
We are also excited to pilot a middle school version of MFC this year with:
Greenville Consolidated School and
Tremont Consolidated School in Bass Harbor
In the News
UMaine receives $10 million to research turning wood products into jet fuel and fish food
The University of Maine's forest bioproducts and aquaculture research institutes have been awarded $10 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to continue studying the effectiveness of turning low-value wood into jet fuel and fish food. ->>> Full article
How Maine is unique in fighting the emerald ash borer
The larvae of long, green beetles are winding their way under the bark of Maine’s brown ash trees in northern and southern pockets of the state.
Conservation groups urge support for federal old growth forests
Conservation advocates are urging support for a federal plan to protect old growth trees in national forests including across thousands of acres in Maine. The proposal from the U.S. National Forest Service would curb logging of old trees lays out a process to encourage mature forests to become old growth over time.
Engagement Opportunties
Students and teachers are invited to KLT’s October forestry education program in Turner. A professional logger, a forester, and community volunteers, join KLT staff for this annual program. Reservations are open for this half-day program in October. We are offering the following options: October 1, 3, 7, and 9. We are flexible if you have schedule or date constraints, or have specific activities or learning objectives you would like to achieve.
Please contact, Marie Ring, Director of Membership and Programming to register. 207-377-2848, mring@tklt.org First Come, First Served. Students will:
Observe a timber harvest
Learn about KLT’s forest management plan, including goals for,
habitat improvement, income, education, and recreation
Understand how loggers can protect soil, water, and wildlife
See a portable sawmill demonstration
Explore careers related to forestry and the forest products
businesses
Participate in hands-on forestry and Maine wildlife activities
Be active on our 360-acre Conservation Area
For Teachers
Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center - Seaweed Educator Workshop
Purpose: Explore the recently created and curated seaweed education activities that make up MAIC's kelp curriculum with Maine educators. All attendees will receive a copy of With a Little Kelp From Our Friends by Mathew Bate and a package of seaweed goodies!Priority will be given to current educators employed in K-12 schools (including classroom teachers, ed techs, and librarians), although other educators may sign up as well. We will make sure to alert you as to your acceptance to the workshop by 8 am on Monday, September 16th. Date: October 4th, 2024 Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Location: The Boat House in Belfast, 34 Commercial St. Belfast, ME, 04915 Register here!
Northern Woodlands Magazine Free for Teachers!
The Northern Woodlands Goes to School (NWGTS) program connects classroom teachers and homeschools in the K-12 setting with free subscriptions to Northern Woodlands magazine. (Digital Edition Collection access included.)Sign up here to get the print and digital version!
Stanford University Climate Education Curriculum
Stanford University has designed a completely free online climate education curriculum for middle school and high school teachers. This curriculum integrates concepts from the earth, life, and physical sciences as well as the most current data on climate systems to help students understand the phenomena of climate change, the justification for these phenomena, and why these phenomena are both scientifically and socially important. Specially, the student goals that frame the unit and are woven throughout the lesson plans.
The curriculum has been divided into multi-day lesson plans for a total of 17 days of instruction. The middle school version has six lessons and the high school version has seven lessons. The lesson plans include a variety of both teacher-centered and student-centered activities ranging from lectures based on provided slideshows, teacher-led demonstrations, student-led investigations, and group analysis of data. Underlying these activities is a philosophy of learning by inquiry as well as justifying claims with evidence. Formative assessments are embedded throughout the unit as well as sets of questions applicable to particular topics. Check it out here!
Katahdin Woods and Waters Educational Programs!
Curriculum-based National Park Service programs are offered as:
Ranger-Led Field Trips at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument: Our field trips provide interactive and informative experiences for students. The education rangers encourage active participation, asking students to observe, analyze, and draw connections between the concepts they learn in the classroom and real-world phenomena.
Classroom Visits: We bring the park to you! The ranger's visit will expand upon topics covered in your lessons using the park as a resource and as an example. They can adapt their presentations to introduce or reinforce concepts and vocabulary.
Distance Learning: These interactive programs are conducted live through your preferred meeting platform. Each program offers students the opportunity to engage with our rangers through live question-and-answer sessions, further enhancing their learning experience.
Some of our program topics include geology, animal adaptations, forest ecology, and the endangered Atlantic Salmon. We are always looking for new program ideas, so feel free to make suggestions! Visit the Education Page for more information or email Crystal Lewis at crystal_lewis@nps.gov for more information.
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