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:

MEDIA RELEASE: Two Maine High School Students Named “National Cyber Scholars” After Winning Nationwide Competition to Identify Rising Stars in Critical Industry

30,000 Students Across the Country Sought to Qualify for this Cybersecurity Competition hosted by National Cyber Scholarship Foundation

The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation has named two Maine students, “National Cyber Scholars” after winning a rigorous 48-hour competition designed to evaluate aptitude in combating cyber threats, showcasing the advanced programming available in Maine schools.

Maine National Cyber Scholars:

Dena Arrison, Freeport High School
Vealy Lai, Maine School of Science and Mathematics

Over 30,000 high school students across the country sought to qualify for this year’s competition, and only 5,000 advanced to the first round. Of those students, only 600 nationwide performed well enough to earn the title “National Cyber Scholars.” These students each won a $2,500 scholarship and an invitation to participate in the Cyber Foundations Academy, a multi-week training and certification course.

Cybersecurity is a critical issue facing this country with the potential to impact our nation’s government, defense, communications and financial systems. According to recent studies, in order to properly defend our infrastructure from attack, we need to train more than 3 million cybersecurity professionals. This scholarship and competition are designed to attract and incentivize more students to enter the field.

“Congratulations to Dena and Vealy for this incredible honor! We are so proud of all the students that participated in this competition, and grateful for the schools who prepare, encourage, and support students in pursuing opportunities like this,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “Our state education system continues to make strides that allow us to adapt and prioritize the ever-changing advances in technology, including laying the foundational groundwork for a robust cyber security workforce here in Maine.”

“This scholarship recognizes high school students who have demonstrated exceptional cybersecurity talent,” noted David Brown, executive director, National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. “The NCSF mission is to help close the critical cybersecurity skills gap by identifying and developing the next generation of cyber professionals. Each and every student who participated in this competition has the potential to develop their skills and build a successful career in cybersecurity.”

There are several qualification pathways for the National Cyber Scholarship Competition including CyberStart America, a free online program that helps students discover their interest in cybersecurity and develop their talent and skills. The NCSC offers 600 college scholarships to top-ranking competitors. Additionally, National Cyber Scholars, along with the competition’s 1,000 finalists, are invited to participate in the Cyber Foundations Academy.

To learn more visit: National Cyber Scholarship Foundation.

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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.