At Gray-New Gloucester Middle School, students aren’t just being asked what they want to be when they grow up; they’re being shown how to get there. On April 17, 2025, more than 500 students in grades five through eight participated in the school’s second annual Career Day, a highlight of a month-long career exploration effort that has become a cornerstone of the district’s advisory program.

This event capped off a series of advisory lessons designed to help students explore their interests, discover career pathways, and understand how today’s choices shape tomorrow’s opportunities. It’s part of MSAD 15’s three-year initiative to build a comprehensive advisory program that prepares students not only for high school but for life beyond graduation.

Career Day began with an engaging keynote by Betsy Libby, President of Central Maine Community College, who shared career trends, educational pathways, and information about Maine’s community college programs—all in a style that was interactive and accessible for middle schoolers. Her session set the tone for a day full of hands-on experiences and personal connections.

Students then rotated through four sessions, each offering a menu of career presentations. With more than 50 professionals volunteering their time, including engineers, firefighters, Zumba instructors, oyster farmers, journalists, therapists, and even FBI agents, students had no shortage of inspiration. The school’s four wings transformed into career exploration hubs, allowing students to interact with professionals in a wide range of fields.

Breakout sessions included interactive demonstrations like flower arranging with a florist, learning bus maintenance from a district mechanic, coding, and meeting animals brought in by the local humane society and therapy dog handlers. Unsurprisingly, the sessions with animals were among the most popular.

Student feedback painted a clear picture: Career Day was a hit. Many said they liked “everything!” Others shared that they appreciated “learning more than regular schoolwork” and being able to “actually experience jobs.” One student remarked, “I learned what I want to do for my backup job if the NFL doesn’t work out.” Several noted how presenters “answered all our questions” and that it was “interesting to learn what jobs do for the community.” The biggest takeaway was how many students walked away saying, “Now I know what to do when I’m older.”

Behind the scenes, Career Day was a true all-hands-on-deck effort. From custodians and kitchen staff to school counselors, teachers, and administrative assistants, every part of the school community contributed to making the day a success. Planning took nearly four months, but the result was a meaningful, memorable experience that left students inspired and informed.

Grounded in Maine’s Life and Career Ready standards, the advisory program at Gray-New Gloucester Middle School continues to connect classroom learning to the real world. With plans to make Career Day an annual event, the school is helping students to dream big and understand the steps it takes to get there.

This story was submitted by Gray-New Gloucester Middle School. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

On May 27, students in Dirigo High School’s Marine Biology Class swapped the mountains of western Maine for the salty sea air of Bar Harbor, embarking on an unforgettable cruise that brought their classroom studies to life in the most immersive way possible.

The two-hour Lobster Fishing and Seal Watching Tour, operated by Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company, was more than a scenic ride along Maine’s coast for these students. It was a dynamic learning experience, as they engaged with real-world applications of marine science concepts. After studying marine ecosystems, the impact of climate change, and population regulation in class, this trip was a chance for these students to see the living proof of those lessons just beyond the boat rails.

As the boat glided across Frenchman Bay, students watched in awe as lobster traps were hauled in, revealing not only lobsters but also the important role that sustainable practices and long-standing community traditions play in Maine’s fishing industry. The crew explained the complex rules and etiquette of lobstering, emphasizing conservation efforts and the way that climate shifts are changing lobster migration patterns and yields.

One of the biggest thrills for students was the chance to see and hold a live, pre-banded lobster, a hands-on experience that sparked laughter, excitement, and surprise.

“The lobster tickles!” one student shouted, adding a memorable and light-hearted moment to a deeply meaningful day.

The educational impact didn’t stop with lobsters. The timing of the tour couldn’t have been better; it was seal pup season, and students were treated to views of harbor seals with their young, lounging on coastal rocks and swimming alongside the boat. The tour guides shared information about the life cycles, behaviors, and habitats of Maine’s native seal species, deepening students’ understanding of marine mammals and the fragile ecosystems they inhabit.

This experience was made possible entirely through grant funding, meaning the trip came at no cost to students or their families. For a rural district like RSU 56, where many families face economic challenges, the opportunity to offer this kind of enrichment is rare and deeply valued. By taking learning outside of the classroom and into a real-world marine setting, this field trip helped students form lasting connections between science content and the environment around them. From biology of lobsters and seals to the socioeconomic realities of Maine’s fisheries, students were able to see, touch, and understand their curriculum in a completely new way.

This is the second time that Dirigo High School’s students have been able to participate in an experience like this, thanks to grant support. Each time, it opens new doors, for curiosity, for confidence, and for a deeper sense of place. By connecting lessons from western Maine to the ecosystems of the coast, Dirigo’s Marine Biology Class proves that the best learning happens when students explore beyond the classroom and into the world.

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

(Educators in action during the Playworks training at Noble Middle School)

On May 14, MaineHealth’s Healthy Eating, Active Living Team hosted a full-day professional learning event at Noble Middle School in Berwick that brought together educators from across southern Maine to explore the power of play in schools.

Teachers, ed techs, and administrators arrived from Noble Middle School, Sanford Middle School, York Middle School, Marshwood Middle School, Crooked River Elementary School, Saint Thomas School, and Harold B. Emery Jr. Memorial School. Many came curious about how play could shift school dynamics. They left with new tools, new energy, and a renewed appreciation for what it means to build connection through fun.

The day began early, with a check-in and casual conversation over coffee. By 8 a.m., educators were already in motion, diving into the first session, “The Power of Play.” This active morning segment focused on how structured games can promote inclusion, improve school climate, and help students practice critical social skills like communication and teamwork. Participants didn’t just talk about it; they played. They ran, laughed, learned, and rediscovered how powerful it feels to be a part of a team.

After a midday break for lunch and a chance to reflect, the afternoon shifted to “Proactive Group Management.” In this session, educators practiced real-life strategies for supporting students during recess and class time. They learned how to manage groups more effectively, address conflicts in the moment, and make sure all students feel seen, supported, and safe.

The workshop wrapped up around 3 p.m., but the enthusiasm in the room suggested that the lessons and the momentum would carry well beyond the day. One educator said, “Thank you again for the awesome workshop at Noble Middle School. We’ve already started using some things I learned. I’m totally reinvigorated about recess.”

Playworks, the national nonprofit that led the training, has a simple but powerful mission: to help schools use play as a force for inclusion, empowerment, and joy. Thanks to funding from Hannaford’s Eat Well, Be Well initiative and the support of MaineHealth’s Let’s Go! program, this workshop, and others like it, are free to participating schools.

For those who missed the May event, two more full-day Playworks workshops are coming on Friday, October 10. One will take place at Boothbay Region Elementary School for educators working with grades K through five. The other will be held at Guy E. Rowe School in Norway for educators supporting students in grades K through six. If you are interested in attending either of these workshops, please reach out to Sarah Carter at MaineHealth by email at Sarah.A.Carter@mainehealth.org.

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

(Pictured: Student Pilot Marysssa LaBlanc and RSU 22 School Board member Ellen Hassan.)

Something exciting is taking off at Hampden Academy! Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, Hampden Academy is launching a cutting-edge drone education program, Higher Vision: Sparking Creativity and Careers Through Drones, designed to prepare students for the skies—and for the future.

With 67 students already enrolled, this two-course program is about more than flying drones; it is about building real-world skills, exploring emerging industries, and learning to think critically and ethically about powerful new technologies.

For enrolled students, the journey begins with an Introduction to Drones course, where students will start with the fundamentals—FAA regulations, Maine-specific laws, and best practices for safe and ethical drone operation. From flight simulators to piloting real drones, they will gain hands-on experience while exploring how drones are already transforming fields like agriculture, filmmaking, and emergency response.

In the second course, Commercial Drones, students learn advanced flight skills, mission planning, weather impacts, and drone data analysis. They will also prepare for the FAA Part 107 commercial drone pilot certification, which will give them a head start on careers in this growing field.

One of the program’s most unique aspects is its strong network of nine local partners—from Hampden Public Safety and Cianbro to News Center Maine and the U.S. Military—who will offer students real-world insights and hands-on learning opportunities in areas like public safety, construction, media, forestry, surveying, and more. (See a full list of partners at the end of this article.)

“This program represents our dedication to providing RSU 22 students with educational opportunities that connect directly to tomorrow’s careers,” Todd Moore, Technology Teacher at Hampden Academy, said. “This is about more than learning to fly; it is about building futures.”

With its blend of classroom rigor, practical experience, and community engagement, Hampden Academy’s drone program is lifting off—and bringing students along for a thrilling, high-tech ride into the future.

Hampden Academy would like to extend a big thank you to the following partners for helping to make this new program possible:

• Hampden Public Safety for demonstrating emergency response applications and public safety uses for drone technology.
• Cianbro Corporation for showcasing industrial applications in construction and infrastructure development.
• News Center Maine for illustrating journalistic and media applications of drone photography and videography.
• Haley Ward Civil Engineering for providing insights on surveying, mapping, and engineering applications.
• American Forest Management for highlighting environmental monitoring and forestry management techniques.
• Matt Thomas Media Productions: for sharing expertise in commercial drone photography and cinematography.
• Allan Gordon Jr. Surveying for demonstrating precision mapping and land surveying applications.
• United States Military for offering perspectives on drone operations and career opportunities in defense.
• University of Maine at Augusta for advanced drone programs.

For more information about this program, please contact Todd Moore (tmoore@rsu22.us) or Charlie Huff (chuff@rsu22.us), Technology Teachers at Hampden Academy.

Information for this article was provided by Hampden Academy. To submit your good news to the Maine DOE, fill out our Good News Submission Form.