Nokomis Regional High School Students Lead Technology Learning Across Maine Through MLTI SLAM Program

This story was written by Nokomis Regional High School student Makennah Jura.

Students like myself from Nokomis Regional High School are using their technology skills for good as a part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) SLAM program, a statewide effort sponsored by the Maine Department of Education (DOE). I have had the amazing opportunity of participating in this program for the past three years. Short for Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine, this program gives students hands-on experience in digital creativity, leadership, and education. Each week, our team takes center stage in producing the SLAM Show, a live broadcast that explores creative digital tools and tech-based learning. Then, once a month, we bring that energy on the road for the SLAM Showcase through events hosted at schools across Maine.

Our advisor, Mr. Kern Kelley, explained it perfectly: “The showcases are a chance for students and teachers to learn new tools together. Everything we use is free and web-based, so anyone can keep using it after we leave.”

Kern Kelley, RSU 19 Technology Integrator and Nokomis High School Educator — *Kern Kelley, RSU 19 Technology Integrator and Nokomis Regional High School Educator*

Mr. Kelley, said the SLAM program began in the 2021-2022 school year during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way for students to connect virtually after school when after-school programs weren’t happening. Now, just a few years later, it has grown into something much larger. According to Mr. Kelley, Nokomis has done more than 60 showcases across Maine, from Fort Kent to Noble. The idea is for students to learn, create, and share.

First-Hand SLAM Experience

At Nokomis Regional High School, we are lucky to be able to help the SLAM program run statewide. Each one of us has a role in something that is bigger than ourselves. We practice each week during the SLAM Show, which helps us to prepare for the SLAM Showcase. Personally, I have helped to set up for live events, present to students, and handle logistics like dinner reservations when our team is on the road. Doing so has taught me organization, communication, and leadership in ways that I didn’t expect.

Annie Nyce interviewing a student from Pemetic Elementary School

I’m not the only one at Nokomis who has learned a lot from the SLAM program:

“Being able to travel around and teach other people about what I know has helped me build communication skills and confidence when presenting,” said member Maddie Ervin.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to grow as a public speaker and teach other kids. You also learn problem-solving, especially when helping younger students with technology,” said host Hallie Coots.
Member Mallory Smith said that what she loves the most about the program is meeting new people and seeing new parts of the state. She said that she has learned the importance of time management and patience, especially when working with students who are just learning to use a laptop for the first time.

During Nokomis’ most-recent showcase at Pemetic Elementary School on Mount Desert Island, I met with Stephanie McGruder, an MLTI ambassador for the Maine DOE, who was teaching Canva to students. She shared: “What fascinates me about SLAM is watching high school students do things most adults can’t even do. You’re creative, genuine, and willing to teach others. It’s incredible to see.”

Why Does This Matter?

Being a part of the SLAM program has shown me that leadership doesn’t just mean being in charge; it means sharing what you know, helping others to learn, and finding your voice. Whether coding virtually or hosting live shows, we’re building skills that will stick with us far beyond high school. As Mr. Kelley explained: “It’s a great chance to travel, learn, and give back to the community while having fun with technology.” I couldn’t agree more.

Hartford Sumner Elementary School Slam Show

Students are interviewed for the SLAM Show that will air on the MLTI YouTube channel.

SLAM Show host Mia interviews MSAD11 students about their favorite parts of the day.

benton-elementary-schools-lynn-hamlin-providing-support-for-students-at-this-years-third-slam-showcase

As technology continues to shape the world around us, the work we are doing through SLAM will become more important. Programs like SLAM show how powerful technology can be when students take the lead in teaching and learning. The experience gives us confidence in teaching these technology tools and innovating with them. As the next generation, we’re not just keeping up with technology; we’re helping to shape how it’s used in the classrooms and communities across Maine and beyond.

This story was submitted by Nokomis Regional High School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Register Now for MLTI’s “Maine Winter Classic” Student Event in March

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Learning Through Technology Team is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Maine Winter Classic, scheduled for March 2-6, 2026.

This week-long, asynchronous event offers an engaging, game-based learning experience for students across Maine. Participants “travel” across the state on a virtual gameboard, completing tasks, earning tokens, and exploring topics such as computer science, digital citizenship, digital design, and gamification. The flexible format enables educators to participate at their own pace, while providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop digital skills in a fun and collaborative way.

Key Details and Registration

Register here for the 2026 MLTI Maine Winter Classic.

Registration window: now through January 5, 2026
Cost: free
Who can participate: grades 3-12 in MLTI school administrative units
Note: Please register by January 5, 2026, to ensure that your classroom receives its event materials, including MLTI Winter Classic T-shirts for all participants, before the event week. Later registrations are accepted, but materials cannot be guaranteed.

Educators who are interested in learning more before registering are invited to peruse overview materials and support resources from past years to get a sense of what to expect and the kinds of classroom connections available.

Office Hours

Educators planning to be at the 2026 MLTI Maine Winter Classic are encouraged to attend a live office hour session or watch a recorded session prior to the event.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 7:45 a.m. – newcomer session (recorded) – Zoom link
Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 3:45 p.m. – returning participant session (recorded) – Zoom link
Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 7:45 a.m. – for all participants (non-recorded) – Zoom link
Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 3:45 p.m. – for all participants (non-recorded) – Zoom link
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 4 p.m. – for all participants (non-recorded) – Zoom link

For more information about the 2026 MLTI Maine Winter Classic or other MLTI student conferences, please contact Bethany Billinger, Maine DOE MLTI Project Manager, at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

Submit a Design for the 2026 Maine Winter Classic T-Shirt!

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) invites students from SAUs participating in the MLTI program to enter the 2026 Maine Winter Classic T-shirt design competition! The deadline to submit a T-shirt design is January 5, 2026.

A single student-created T-shirt design will be selected and featured on T-shirts distributed to thousands of participants from across Maine for MLTI’s 2026 Maine Winter Classic from March 2-6, 2026. This annual event is a game-based learning experience where students “travel” virtually around Maine, completing challenges, earning tokens, and exploring topics like computer science, digital citizenship, digital design, and gamification. Through these engaging, collaborative activities, students develop digital skills, connect with peers across the state, and discover how technology can serve as a tool for creativity, problem-solving, and innovation in everyday life.

You may review the T-shirt design competition eligibility and submission guidelines here.

Please note:

The competition opens on October 30, 2025.
T-shirt designs are due on January 5, 2026, and late entries will not be accepted.
Finalists will be selected, and a winner will be notified by the end of January 2026.

Please submit your T-shirt design entry for the 2026 Maine Winter Classic through this submission form.

Additionally, registration is now open for this free, virtual, statewide event. You may register here.

With questions, please contact Bethany Billinger, Maine DOE MLTI Project Manager, at Bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

Bucksport High School Robotics Team Inspires Young Engineers with Cardboard Robot Program

In May, the Bucksport High School Robotics Team—or FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Team 6329—and their incredible robot, Tide, once again proved they’re among the best in the world.

The Bucksport High School Robotics Team had a phenomenal season, racking up an impressive 55-11 record. The team clinched victories at both the Pine Tree and Southern Maine events, earned a runner-up title at the prestigious New England Championships, and finished eighth in the highly competitive Curie Division at the World Championships—solidifying a place among the global elite.

Fresh off of an outstanding season, the students of FRC Team 6329 were eager to give back to the community that had supported them. They saw an opportunity to share their passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and robotics with younger students and seized it.

This spring, the team launched a new after-school program at the Downeast Family YMCA, bringing together innovation, creativity, and community engagement. Designed for elementary-aged students, this program introduced engineering and robotics fundamentals to kids by having them build functional robots entirely out of cardboard.

These weren’t just any cardboard creations, though. Thanks to a new laser cutter purchased through a Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) “Teach with Tech” grant, the team was able to design and cut precise parts for robots. Bucksport students Madi Robinson and Izzy McSharry, with support from their teachers, designed the robots in their high school engineering classes and fabricated all of the components used by these younger students.

“Cardboard might sound low-tech, but it’s actually a fantastic material for rapid prototyping,” a team member said. “It’s safe, inexpensive, and with the laser cutter, we can create detailed and functional components.”

The laser cutter, acquired earlier in the 2024-2025 school year through the MLTI grant, has expanded the Bucksport High School Robotics Team’s capabilities—not only for its competitive work but also for its outreach. This YMCA after-school program grew from a desire to spark early interest in STEM and give back to the local community. Supported by their robotics coaches, students developed hands-on activities that taught basic engineering principles, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

“Our students really took the lead,” FRC Team 6329 coach John Boynton said. “They weren’t just mentoring; they were designing, teaching, troubleshooting, and encouraging kids to believe they could be engineers, too.”

Sophomore FRC Team 6329 member Lily Frost designed this pilot program, and the team hopes it is just the beginning. This summer, the team is running a one-day-per-week program for more than 50 kids through the YMCA day camps in Bucksport. Future plans may also include modules on 3D printing, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), and laser cutter training.

This young, passionate team from Bucksport High School is proving that small-town schools can lead big ideas—and that the future of engineering is already in capable hands.

This story was submitted by Bucksport High School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Hundreds of Maine Students, Educators Attend MLTI Conference to Explore AI, Technology

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is celebrating a successful 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference, which culminated Thursday afternoon at the University of Maine at Orono. Themed #LetsDiriGo, the conference highlighted how students are using technology to travel creatively through ideas.

This free, day-long event provided opportunities for hands-on learning, centered on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital creativity, and more. The dozens of available sessions included everything from First LEGO League (FLL) Robotics, to opportunities to create green screen videos, to the use of drones, to creating virtual reality spaces. The conference ended with a shared learning experience among all students, as they participated in an interactive cyber defense experience, outwitting a fictional villain.

Students from North Haven Community School are presenting on artificial intelligence (AI).

A Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine (SLAM) presenting.

Students from Lenard Middle School in Old Town are working on Binary Bracelets. They are creating bracelets with their name written in binary code.

Nokomis High School educator Kern Kelley presenting virtual reality (VR) to a room of students.

“When technology comes on the scene, it tends to stick around,” Emma-Marie Banks, Maine DOE Learning Through Technology coordinator, said in an interview with WABI. “We try to do our best to prepare students not only for what’s here right now but also what they are going to see in five years from now—and how we can lay the foundational principles for them, so that they can be successful no matter what the next technology advancement is.”

Nearly 1,000 students and educators attended the conference this year, which was open to all MLTI-participating school administrative units (SAUs). MLTI provides professional development and 21st Century learning tools to K-12 public schools in Maine, with a focus on using technology to transform teaching and learning in classrooms statewide. Maine was the first state in the nation to offer a 1:1 learning with technology initiative and remains the largest program in the country, deploying tablets and laptops to more than 80,000 teachers and students.

RSU 9 Tech Integrator Nicole Lesperance with Marty the robot. She presented to students how to program Marty to do dance moves. Lesperence received the Marty robots for RSU 9 students through the Maine DOE MLTI Tech with Tech grant program.

The 22nd annual 2025 MLTI Student Conference in the spring is a highly anticipated end-of-school-year event for students to showcase the technological skills that they have acquired throughout the year. This year, more than 40 student presenters helped to lead sessions at the conference, representing the next generation of thinkers, coders, and creators.

Students Connor and Zack were two conference participants from Saco Middle School who presented a drone session with their school.

“I think it’s just a great way to learn,” Connor said of the conference. “I think it’s just fun overall.”

Zach and Connor, students from Saco Middle School

Saco Middle School teacher Lisa Ronco said last year, her school received a $10,000 MLTI grant to purchase six drones. Since then, the students have been learning how to fly the drones and are planning to use them to showcase the progress of a local school construction project. Ronco said this is her and her students’ second year presenting at the conference.

“Last year, it was so popular—and we only did one session in the morning. This year, we’re doing two sessions. It’s a pleasure.” Ronco said. “These kids are building their confidence.”

Zoie Elliott, an eighth grader from Windsor Elementary School, presented a session on how to make a digital escape room using Google slides.

“I love going to MLTI because I love learning how to do different things on my school computer, so I can put that into future things that I do,” Elliott said.

Thank you to all the educators, staff members, and students who came to the 2025 MLTI Student Conference. This year was a great success, and the Maine DOE is grateful for the student and educator presenters, volunteers, chaperones, and bus drivers who all took part in bringing so many students together for a fun day of hands-on learning!

To capture the ripple effect this event has on students, educators, and learning, the Maine DOE is collecting good news stories from those who have attended the MLTI Student Conference—either this year or in past years. To submit a story, please visit the good news submission form.

The Maine DOE is looking forward to hosting the 23rd annual MLTI Student Conference on May 21, 2026, at UMaine!

Brunswick High School Student Wins MLTI Student Conference T-Shirt Design Contest

Congratulations to Caleb Chang, a junior at Brunswick High School, whose artwork was selected as the winning design for the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference T-shirt!

Chang’s creative design captures the theme of the 22nd MLTI Student Conference, “#LetsDiriGo,” with two jets circling the globe and a compass rose at the center. Chang’s design will be printed on T-shirts and shared with more than a thousand students and educators attending the event on May 22, 2025. The conference will be held at the University of Maine at Orono, where crowds of students will be dressed in Chang’s design.

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) MLTI Team remains committed to showcasing student creativity at MLTI events and will continue to seek student artwork for future opportunities. If you are interested in participating in upcoming contests, please be sure to review this year’s call for submissions for eligibility and guidelines.

Please use this link to learn more about past MLTI T-shirt design contest winners from schools across the state, including South Aroostook Community School, Auburn Middle School, Waterville Junior High School, Gray-New Gloucester High School.

If your MLTI school is interested in attending the 2025 MLTI Student Conference at UMaine in Mah, please click here for event details and registration.

For more information or questions about MLTI student events, please contact Bethany Billinger, Maine DOE MLTI Project Manager, at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

Athens Community School Dives into Computer Science Through Hands-on Learning

Thanks to the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) “Teach with Tech” grant, junior high students at Athens Community School are diving into computer science with hands-on lessons that incorporate Sphero BOLT robots.

Last year, Mrs. Luce, the Library/Media Specialist at Athens Community School, applied for this grant with a vision of sparking student interest in robotics and opening students’ eyes to the vast possibilities within the field of computer science. In the fall, the school received a set of 15 of these robots, which are now being used to launch exciting new computer science units for students in grades 5-8.

Athens eighth graders were the first to experience the magic of Sphero, starting with a fun and challenging activity: driving their robots through a maze using on-screen steering. From there, they advanced to the next level, learning to code their robots to navigate the maze independently. Students gained hands-on experience with block-based programming, mastering essential concepts such as parameters, conditionals, and loops. Through trial and error, as well as creative problem-solving and critical thinking, they wrote and tested their own code to overcome obstacles and guide their robots to success.

The excitement for robotics has proven to be contagious. As younger Athens students in the fifth, sixth, and seventh grade watched their older peers navigate these mazes, they couldn’t wait to get their own hands on the robots. This interactive nature of the robotics experience ignites curiosity and a passion for learning, leaving all students eager to try out programming for themselves. What has made this project at Athens Community School truly special is the collaborative learning environment it fosters. Students have had opportunities to share insights and learn from on another’s successes and failures, building community through teamwork.

Thanks to the comprehensive set of resources that Sphero provides—which includes a curriculum for multiple grade levels—Athens Community School is set to offer a rich, ongoing STEM education to students for years to come. Integrating robotics into the classroom not only helps students develop valuable coding skills; it also encourages them to think critically, collaborate with peers, and explore the limitless possibilities of the digital world.

This story was provided by Athens Community School. To submit good news to the Maine DOE, please fill out the Good News Submission form.

Maine Department of Education Releases Interactive AI Guidance Toolkit for Schools and Educators

The Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is excited to announce the release of an AI Guidance Toolkit. This dynamic resource goes beyond traditional policies, pairing guidance with learning by offering practical tools, real-world scenarios, and ongoing learning opportunities that support ethical, responsible, and effective AI use. Grounded in digital citizenship and computer science foundations, this toolkit is designed to enhance the understanding and application of artificial intelligence in education.

To ensure this resource remains relevant, responsive, and tailored to Maine’s unique education needs, this toolkit was developed in collaboration with Maine educators and stakeholders and features a framework to help shape district policies, promote ethical AI use, and develop a deeper understanding of how to work with AI.

Whether you’re just getting started, want to know more about what’s happening across the state, or looking to dive right into integrating AI in education (or maybe already are!) – this resource has something for everyone.

The Maine DOE is excited to offer learning sessions to share a walkthrough of the AI Guidance Toolkit and answer questions. Below are the dates and a link to register and receive the Zoom link. These sessions will be hosted by the Maine DOE’s Learning Through Technology (LTT) Team, featuring Nicole Davis, the LTT Team’s Emerging Technology Specialist.

Session 1: Tuesday, February 25, 3 p.m. – Register here.
Session 2: Friday, February 28, 8 a.m. – Register here.
Session 3: Monday, March 3, 4 p.m. – Register here.
Session 4: Thursday, March 6, 8 a.m. – Register here.

Can’t make it but want to know more? At least one session will be recorded for later viewing and will be made available on the Maine DOE’s YouTube channel.

Check out the Maine AI Guidance Toolkit here.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Nicole Davis at nicole.davis@maine.gov.

Reeds Brook Middle School Student Wins MLTI Maine Winter Classic T-Shirt Design Contest

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is extending a big congratulations to Sophia Smith, a 7th-grader at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden, whose design was selected to represent the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Maine Winter Classic!

This statewide event, scheduled for the week of March 3, will bring together more than 50 schools and 5,000 students and educators from grades 3-12.

In January, the Maine DOE’s MLTI team opened its annual T-shirt design contest to all MLTI schools, challenging students to unleash their creativity and design the official T-shirt for the 2025 Maine Winter Classic.

Smith’s winning design, Winter Harmony, beautifully captures the event’s winter theme and meets all contest requirements.

“I was inspired by a snowy day or a snowstorm, with snowflakes swirling and icicles hanging from the logo,” Smith shared. “I thought adding those elements would really make the design pop.”

Smith said she created her artwork using the FlipaClip software.

Smith’s design will be featured on T-shirts sent to schools around the state. While event registration has officially closed, educators and schools can still sign up to participate, although some supplemental materials may no longer be available.

If you would like more information about the 2025 Maine Winter Classic, you may click here. For questions about the Maine Winter Classic or other MLTI events, please contact MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

MLTI is part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.

Registration Now Open for the MLTI Student Conference in May

Registration is now open for the 2025 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference in May! The deadline to register is March 28, 2025.

This event will be held on May 22, 2025, at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The conference is open to all MLTI school administrative units (SAUs) and is expected to welcome more than 1,000 students in grades 5 through 10.

Steps to register:

Start by filling out this brief form to receive your comprehensive registration packet, which will be sent electronically via email.
Submit the registration packet:
- Complete the registration packet and use the link in your packet to upload the required documents.
- The deadline to complete your registration is March 28, 2025 (to ensure the correct T-shirt sizes for your group).
Sign up for sessions.
- After your registration information is reviewed, you will receive a link to sign up for sessions.
- Sessions are first-come, first-served, so sign up early!

This year’s conference will celebrate travel with the theme #LetsDiriGo. Students will receive a T-shirt designed by a fellow student. The MLTI Student Conference T-shirt design contest is accepting submissions until March 16.

At the conference, students will explore cutting-edge technology topics in hands-on sessions. Past sessions have focused on multimedia creation, AR/VR, 3D design, robotics, machine learning, and game design. Both students and educators can apply to present. The call for session proposals is open until March 21.

The day will conclude with an exciting “Uber session,” where hundreds of students will participate in a large-scale interactive activity.

For questions about the MLTI Student Conference, MLTI Maine Winter Classic, or other MLTI events, please contact Maine DOE MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

The Maine Learning Through Technology Initiative (MLTI) is part of the Maine DOE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.