Virtual Workshop for Teachers: Middle School Science & Engineering Fair

The below opportunity is being hosted by the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance.

When: Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Where: Online (Interactive)
Benefits: Participation stipend, Subscription to Science News
Registration Deadline: May 28, 2021
FMI, Contact: Stefany Burrell

Did you know that Maine has a science fair for grades 6-8? The Maine State Middle School Science & Engineering Fair (MSSEF) provides youth with a chance to share their independent STEM projects with judges and their peers. The event encourages students to explore their own area of interest, engage in authentic science and engineering practices, and hone their science communication skills.

Late each spring, the MSSEF welcomes middle schoolers from around the state to present their work in a supportive environment. Students can work alone or in teams of 2-3. There is practically no limit to the topics a student can pursue. If it falls somewhere in the realm of science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), it fits within the mission of the MSSEF!

As a middle school teacher, you may love the idea of giving your students this opportunity. But how do you start? Join us on Wednesday, June 23 to learn how. We will convene an interactive Zoom session where you’ll learn some tips for getting your students started on their projects and take away some activities to help them make the most of their independent work.

The top 10% of our state’s projects are invited to participate in the national Broadcom MASTERS competition. Although the prestige of winning is reserved for a handful of projects, all students who participate learn invaluable STEM and 21st century skills. Because the MSSEF is affiliated with the MASTERS competition, the Broadcom Foundation has provided MMSA with a grant to pay stipends to teachers who attend this training.

Learn more and register here: https://mmsa.org/2021/05/middle-school-science-fair-teacher-workshop/

Four Middle School Students Honored in Statewide Science & Engineering Fair

The Middle School Science & Engineering Fair announced its winners on recently in a livestreamed awards ceremony. Approximately 40 middle school students from Maine submitted projects to the fair, and four projects were recognized:

Lemelson Young Inventors Award ($100)

Ian Blackwell and Nik Horton – James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Ian and Nik’s project was entitled “Nanocellulose and sawdust particle boards”

Grand Awards:

1st Place – Adriana Rogow – Falmouth Middle School
Adriana’s project was entitled, “Insta-depressed?: the effects of social media on middle school students”
2nd Place – Grace Muffett – James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Grace’s project was entitled, “Can Tardigrades Survive a High Altitude Balloon Flight?”
3rd Place – Alex Busco – James F. Doughty School, Bangor
Alex’s project was entitled, “Microplastics in Bottled Water: Searching for a Common Correlation Between Bottle Size and Microplastic Concentration”

These three grand award winners will represent Maine in the Broadcom MASTERS competition.

For more information about the Maine State Middle School Science & Engineering Fair visit https://msmssef.blogspot.com/ or sign up for a virtual workshop hosted by Maine Mathematics & Science Alliance is running in June for teachers interested in learning more about the Middle School Science & Engineering Fair. Learn more or register here.

Somerset Career & Technical Center Honors Emma Huntley as CTE Student of the Year

Somerset Career & Technical Center (SCTC) has named Emma Huntley as CTE Student of the Year for 2021.

Emma is the daughter of Richard and Jennifer Huntley of Canaan. She attends Skowhegan Area High School. She is on the National Honor Society and participates in Track and Field and Upward Bound.

As a student in the Early Childhood Education Program, Emma had perfect attendance for the two-year program and earned two program leader awards. She is a natural leader in the classroom. Her peers often look to her for assistance with projects, technology and to help solve problems. Emma will always jump in to help with whatever is asked of her.

Emma is very active at SCTC. She participated in SkillsUSA, the Student Leadership Team and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society. She is a member of a team of peer facilitators who met with students to gather input. The team was instrumental in changing the districts focus on student mental health.

Emma’s goal is to become a High School English Teacher. She has been accepted into the 8 colleges where she applied.

Learn more about Somerset Career & Technical Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

MSAD 42 Adult Education Program Partners with A.R. Gould Hospital for an Innovative Approach to Fill CNA Workforce

Central Aroostook’s MSAD 42 Adult Education Program has a successful innovative partnership with local Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle to help fill an important workforce need in the area. Together they have a 7-week program that gives participants the opportunity to apply for a position that will give them not only the skills needed to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) but a guaranteed job as well.

Designed to take the stress out of training for a job as a CNA, the program has been training and employing CNAs for nearly 4 years. Participants can apply for the program just like they were applying for a regular position by filling out an application and undergoing an interview process. Accepted applicants get paid work full-time during training and are guaranteed a position upon graduation.

The program offers both didactic and hands-on skills, which is followed by a certification exam. Upon passing they are put onto the CNA registry and can fulfill clinical hours at Mars Hill nursing home where a position is waiting for them.

Like other regions throughout the state, Northern Maine has struggled with finding CNAs to work at the local nursing home. The goal behind this partnership is to build the workforce in the region by providing paid training and positions for residents.

“The program has worked out great, and the team effort between our Adult Ed staff and Northern Light ARG staff has gone very well,” said Kathy Miller, MSAD 42 Adult Ed Secretary.

This program has also provided the opportunity for summer classes that are available to juniors and seniors in high school. They are able to work part time until they finish high school. Upon graduation, they can begin working full time at the Mars Hill Facility.

Celebrating Foster Care Month in Maine

May is National Foster Care Month across the nation. It is a time to recognize that everyone can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care. Starting in 1988, U.S. Presidents issued annual proclamations in recognition of National Foster Care Month to show appreciation and gratitude to foster parents. Maine is committed to ensuring all children grow up healthy and safe and would like to take time to show appreciation for the incredible role foster parents have in lifting up the children in their care.

The purpose of National Foster Care Month continues to evolve based on the needs of the time. Current activities focus on increasing the visibility of the needs of children and youth in foster care and highlighting how the child welfare system can prioritize foster care as a service to families and promote reunification.

Below are resources for schools and families about celebrating foster care month and about fostering and adopting children in Maine:

Region 9 School of Applied Technology Names Jasmine Dixon CTE Student of the Year

Region 9 is proud to present Jasmine Dixon as our 2020-2021 Student of the Year. Jasmine is a second year Building Construction student. Her instructor, Jeff Rainey, shared:

“Sometimes you find your calling, and Jasmine has found hers. Her natural skills and abilities, along with her ability to follow instructions have launched her to the top of the class. In all my years of Building, I’ve never seen anyone come so far so quickly.”

Outside of school, Jasmine enjoys painting, wood burning and embroidering. She also likes riding snowmobiles and four-wheelers and going on motorcycle rides.

After graduating high school, Jasmine will be attending Eastern Maine Community College and participating in their Fine Woodworking and Cabinet Making Program.

Jasmine is passionate about supporting women in non-traditional careers. Her goal is to open a fine woodworking shop, and offer a place where women can demonstrate their skills and passion for the field.

Congratulations, Jasmine, from the staff, students, Board members, and the Director of Region 9 for being selected as our CTE Student of The Year!

Learn more about Region 9 School of Applied Technology by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Sanford Regional Technical Center Honors Mary Lombardi as CTE Student of the Year

Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) is pleased to announce that Mary Lombardi has been named Career and Technical Education Student of the Year.

Mary Lombardi is a senior who attends SRTC from Traip Academy in Kittery. During Mary’s time at SRTC, she has achieved her Associates Certification in SolidWORKS and is working toward earning the CAM-F industry certification. In addition, Mary is dual enrolled through York County Community College.

At Traip, Mary is a member of Student Council, a founding member of Bring Change to Mind (a group designed to educate others about mental health), a four-year member of the Varsity Football Team, a member of the Civil Rights Team and Team Captain of the Traip FIRST Robotics Team. Mary used her free time during virtual schooling last spring to make over 200 reusable masks for the community.

In the words of Russell Clark, SRTC EAD Instructor, “Mary is exceptionally smart and talented. She uses every second of class time working on the most difficult 3D Engineering problems I can offer. Then she will use our most advanced textbooks to push herself harder.”

In Mary’s words, “My enrollment in EAD opened my eyes to my true passion in engineering and has allowed me to focus on this passion while still in high school. SRTC has truly been a magical experience.”

Learn more about Sanford Regional Technical Center (SRTC) by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Presque Isle Tech Center Names Brandon Dubie CTE Student of the Year

The Presque Isle Tech Center is pleased to announce Brandon Dubie as their CTE Student of the Year for 2021. Brandon is the son of Malissa and Edward Dubie and a senior at Presque Isle high school.

Brandon has been an Agriscience student for the past three years and has taken every course offered in the program. His instructors say it has been an absolute pleasure to witness him maturing from a quiet sophomore into a well-spoken, responsible adult. During his high school career, Brandon has participated in cross country running, track and FFA. This year he is the State FFA Treasurer. He has been part of an officer team that has worked hard to bring FFA presentations to classrooms remotely during the pandemic. This process has honed his computer, speaking and organizational skills.

Brandon has sought out many of his own learning experiences relating to his Supervised Agricultural Experience. He began at a very young age to show an interest in trees and silviculture. He has been extremely proactive in arranging his sessions with all of the mentors who have enhanced this experience. He willingly took on an internship with a retired potato farmer and small woodlot owner and took advantage of each opportunity provided by that association. He subsequently arranged to participate in ride-alongs with two other forestry professionals and is not afraid to follow up on those experiences and to reach out for answers to his questions.

After graduation Brandon plans to serve his country by joining the military and later to become a forester.

Learn more about Presque Isle Tech Center by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Portland Arts & Technology High School Names Christiana Rae Gannon as CTE Student of the Year

Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) announces Christiana Rae Gannon (Anna) as the 2020/2021 CTE Student of the Year.

Anna has been in the Carpentry program for two years. During that time, she has demonstrated what a fantastic person she is. She is the whole package; dedicated and determined, kind and caring, with individual goals, but always a team player, creative, thoughtful, interested, and focused. Anna always cheers on and encourages her classmates. She is a mentor and a supporter of everyone on her team.

Last year Anna qualified to compete at the Skills USA competition. During the abrupt switch to remote learning the previous year, Anna hit the books hard and completed her first year certification work, and got a head start on the second year. When we returned to school this year, Anna said she had ample time to work in the trade if we could help her get a job. This time was in between her work at PATHS, taking AP classes at her sending school, and participating in school sports. She has been working at a local millwork shop two days a week.

Learn more about Portland Arts & Technology High School (PATHS) by visiting their website, learn more about the Career and Technical Education Sites in Maine by visiting the MACTE website to see a listing by location. To learn more about Career and Technical Education, watch this short video:

Maine’s New Comprehensive School Counseling Program Model

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to share an updated and Maine specific Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) which has been the culmination of an extensive review, feedback and editing process.

We wish to extend a large thank you to school counselors Erin Flynn and Anastasia Alexis for their coordinated efforts in making this project a success, as well as to all others who engaged in this important process.

The model and resources can be found on the Maine DOE School Counselor webpage: https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/safeschools/counseling/schoolcounseling

For further information or questions, please contact Bear Shea at W.Bear.Shea@maine.gov.