MLTI Maine Winter Classic – Register and Submit a T-Shirt Design!

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Learning Through Technology Team is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2027 Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Maine Winter Classic, scheduled for March 1-5, 2027.

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 content is leveled to accommodate elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as various ability levels. 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.

Since the MLTI Maine Winter Classic replaced the Virtual Student Conference in 2024, more than 100 schools have participated, with many returning for multiple years. Last year, we had nearly 6400 participants in grades 3 through 12 from across 73 schools. The event brings together students from across Maine, including fifth graders from Shapleigh Elementary in Kittery, seniors from Forest Hills in Jackman, sixth graders from Fort Fairfield Middle School, and third graders from Lubec and Princeton in Washington County. Last year, students from these communities and many others participated while wearing T-shirts featuring a design created by a sixth-grade student from Camden Regional Middle School.

Registration for the 2027 MLTI Maine Winter Classic is now open, and your school can register for this exciting statewide event here.

Key Details and Registration

Registration window: now through January 5, 2027
Cost: free
Who can participate: grades 3-12 in MLTI school administrative units
Note: Please register by January 5, 2027, to ensure that your classroom receives its event materials, including MLTI Maine 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 events to get a sense of what to expect and the kinds of classroom connections available.

Office Hours

Educators planning to participate in the 2027 MLTI Maine Winter Classic are encouraged to attend a live office hour session or watch a recorded session prior to the event.

Friday, November 20, 2026, at 7:45 p.m. – MLTI Maine Winter Classic 101 (Preparation Kickoff) – Zoom link
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 7:45 a.m. – newcomer session (recorded) – Zoom link
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 3:45 p.m. – returning participant session (recorded) – Zoom link
Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 7:45 a.m. – for all participants (non-recorded) – Zoom link
Thursday, December 3, 2026, at 3:45 p.m. – for all participants (non-recorded) – Zoom link
Tuesday, December 8, 2026, at 4 p.m. – for all participants (non-recorded) – Zoom link

T-Shirt Design Competition

Students who would like to participate are invited to create a design for the official T-shirt that will be distributed statewide to thousands of students during the MLTI Maine Winter Classic, scheduled for the week of March 1, 2027. This will be the 10^th student-designed T-shirt for an MLTI student event. Participants can learn more about the history of MLTI t-shirts going back to 2003.

You can review eligibility and submission guidelines for the T-shirt design competition here. Please submit your entry using this T-Shirt Design Competition Submission Form.

Competition Timeline and Important Dates:

Nov. 2, 2026: competition opens
Dec. 23, 2026: T-shirt designs due (no late entries accepted)
Finalists will be selected, and a winner will be notified by the end of January 2027.

If you have questions about this contest or need assistance, please contact MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

For more information about the Maine Winter Classic and/or the in-person MLTI Student Conference later in the year, please contact the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team at doe-ltt@maine.gov.

Applications Open for Maine DOE 2026–2027 Student Cabinet – Deadline Extended to 11/20

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Student Cabinet, a group of students who meet with DOE leaders to share perspectives on educational initiatives, opportunities, improvements, and policy. The application deadline has been extended to November 20, 2026.

Now in its sixth year, the Student Cabinet provides a forum for student voices to inform conversations and decisions that affect Maine students. Past Cabinets have explored topics including mental health, racial equity, school safety, individualized learning, and educator workforce diversification.

During the 2025–2026 school year, Cabinet members also provided input on the DOE’s Measure What Matters initiative, mental wellness, climate education, and other issues affecting Maine schools.

Celebrating Student Bright Spots

In April and May of 2026, Cabinet members took the lead by sharing a “Bright Spot”—a 3-to-4-minute presentation highlighting something positive happening in their school or community.

Students shared stories of student leadership, service, inclusion, creativity, and connection through clubs, performing arts, unified sports, wellness initiatives, Extended Learning Opportunities, student media, community partnerships, and more.

Explore some of the 2025-2026 Student Cabinet members’ Bright Spots:

Scarborough High School Bright Spot by Michael Winchenbach (Video)
Mount Blue High School Bright Spot by Nicholas DeMarco (Video)
Waterville High School Bright Spot by Thresia Reddy (Video)
Camden Hills Regional High School Bright Spot by Iris Bolduc (Video)
Hampden Academy Bright Sport by Shelby Gray (Video)
Brunswick Junior High School Bright Spot by Campbell Frazee (Video)
Old Town High School Bright Spot by Romlah Ojugbele (Video)
Scarborough High School Bright Spot by Abigail Rasquinha (Video)
Cape Elizabeth High School Bright Spot by Brendan Oakley (Video)
Saco Middle School Bright Spot by Jackson Pfeiffenberger (Video)
Cherryfield Elementary Bright Spot by Eliza Farnsworth (Video)
Windham High School Bright Spot by Maggie Soule (Video)
Gorham High School Bright Spot by Fatima Beshir (Video)
Messalonskee High School Bright Sport by Isabella Castner (PDF/PPT)
Camden Hills Regional High School Bright Spot by Maliyah Summer (PDF/PPT)
Portland High School Bright Spot by Wyatt Clegg (PDF/PPT)
Baxter Academy Bright Spot by Avron Williams (PDF/PPT)
Lincoln Academy Bright Sport by Ori Taylor (PDF/PPT)

Apply for the 2026–2027 Student Cabinet

Students in grades 4–12 and those in their first year of college are eligible to apply. Cabinet members will serve from December 2026 through May 2027 and are expected to attend scheduled meetings, prepare as needed, collaborate with peers and DOE staff, and share their perspectives openly, constructively, and respectfully.

Meetings will be held virtually on the following dates:

Tuesday, December 15, 2026, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
Tuesday, January 19, 2027, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
Tuesday, February 23, 2027, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
Tuesday, March 16, 2027, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
Tuesday, April 27, 2027, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom
Tuesday, May 18, 2027, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m., virtual via Zoom

Applications are due by November 20. Apply to the Student Cabinet.

For more information, contact Rachel Paling, Communications & Outreach Manager, at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Maine High School Students Encouraged to Enter 22nd Annual Will McDonough Sports Writing Contest

The Boston Globe is encouraging high school students across New England to showcase their storytelling and journalism skills through the 22nd Annual Will McDonough Sports Writing Contest.

The free contest is open to students in grades 9-12 residing in any New England state, including Maine. It offers students an opportunity to develop and share their nonfiction writing centered on sports. Educators, school staff, journalism advisers, English teachers, coaches, and families are encouraged to share this opportunity with students who may be interested in sports writing, journalism, storytelling, or communications.

Students may submit one original nonfiction entry of up to 700 words. Entries may be written in either first person or third person and must have sports as a central element. Submissions can be newly written or previously published works created after August 15, 2025.

Contest organizers note that all work must be wholly created by the student and will be evaluated based on the strength of the writing, reporting, use of journalism practices, and the ability to engage readers.

The contest honors Will McDonough, a legendary sportswriter best known for his decades spent covering professional sports in New England. McDonough was widely respected for his reporting, storytelling, and commitment to journalistic excellence.

Contest Guidelines

To participate, students must:

Be enrolled in grades 9-12 as of May 1, 2026
Reside in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont
Submit one nonfiction sports-related essay
Keep submissions to 700 words or fewer
Submit their entry by May 27, 2026

How to Enter

Students must complete two steps before the May 27, 2026, deadline:

Have an adult (18+) complete the entry form, which can be found here.
Email their submission to McDonoughContest@globe.com.

For official contest rules and additional information, please click here. Judging will conclude on June 8, 2026, and winners will be announced on June 9, 2026.

Registration Now Open for the 23rd Annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference in May

Registration is now open for the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) 23rd annual Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) Student Conference. The deadline to register is March 27, 2026.

The conference will be held on May 21, 2026, at the University of Maine campus in Orono. This statewide event is open to all MLTI school administrative units (SAUs) and is expected to welcome more than 1,000 students in grades 5-10 for a full day of hands-on learning, creativity, and exploration.

How to Register for the Conference

Step 1: Request your registration packet. Complete this brief form to receive your comprehensive registration packet via email.

Step 2: Submit your registration materials. Fill out the packet and use the included link to upload the required documents. Registration must be completed by March 27, 2026, to ensure correct conference T-shirt sizes for your group.

Step 3: Sign up for sessions. Once your registration is reviewed, you will receive a link to select sessions. Sessions fill up quickly and are first-come, first-served, so early sign-up is encouraged!

About the Conference

This year’s theme, “Full STEAM Ahead,” invites students to explore the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) through engaging, hands-on sessions. Past topics have included:

Multimedia creation
AR/VR
3D design
Robotics
Machine learning
Game design

Students will receive a conference T-shirt designed by a fellow student. The T-shirt design contest is currently open through March 20, 2026. Additionally, the call for session proposals for both students and educators is open through March 20, 2026.

The event will conclude with a large-scale, interactive “Global session,” bringing hundreds of students together for a collective experience.

With 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.

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

Maine Students Invited to Participate in Youth Agriculture Policy Day on March 25 in Augusta

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), in partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Maine FFA, 4-H Cooperative Extension, and youth leaders from across the state, invites individual students to apply to participate in Youth Agriculture Policy Day at the State Capitol in Augusta.

This full-day, immersive leadership experience will bring together students who are interested in agriculture and natural resources. They will have an opportunity to meet with legislators and key stakeholders from DACF, the Maine DOE, and 4-H Cooperative Extension; observe and participate in legislative committee meetings; and connect with their peers on issues that matter to them. The goal of Youth Agriculture Policy Day is to help support youth voice by developing their skills in policy, advocacy, and civic engagement—specifically, as it pertains to agricultural advancement and education.

Youth Agriculture Policy Day coincides with Maine Ag Day, an annual celebration honoring the dedication and impact of Maine’s farmers, producers, and agricultural community. The Hall of Flags at the State Capitol will be the hub of this activity on March 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Student Application Details

The application for participation should be completed by individual students. While the Hall of Flags is open to the public, only a select group of 20 students will be chosen to join the Youth Agriculture Policy Day group. Students may apply using this link. Participating students must be available to attend all sessions (listed below). The application deadline is March 1, 2026.

Event Schedule

March 13, 2026 – virtual (via Zoom) pre-session (3:30-4:30 p.m.)
March 25, 2026 – Youth Agriculture Policy Day in Augusta (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)
March 27, 2026 – virtual (via Zoom) post-session debrief (3:30-4:30 p.m.)

Students are encouraged to apply today to use their voice, learn how policy is shaped, and represent Maine’s agricultural future!

For more information, please contact Maine DOE Natural Resource Specialist/FFA Liaison Emily Doughty at emily.doughty@maine.gov or 207-592-0314.

Student Opportunity: Applications Now Open for Free, Immersive Keller BLOOM Ocean Sciences Program

Do you know a Maine high school junior who’s passionate about science and curious about the ocean? Applications are now open for a no-cost, immersive ocean research experience through the Keller BLOOM Program, offered by the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.

The Keller BLOOM Program runs May 17-22, 2026, and gives selected students the chance to spend a week living and learning on Bigelow’s East Boothbay campus, working alongside professional scientists using advanced equipment and real research techniques.

Founded by Bigelow scientist Maureen Keller, the Keller BLOOM Program is designed to introduce students to hands-on ocean science, from field sampling and data collection to laboratory investigation and analysis. Participants explore the biological, chemical, and geological characteristics of Maine’s marine environment and learn firsthand what a career in ocean science can look like.

Current Maine high school juniors — including those who are homeschooled — are encouraged to apply. No previous research experience is required, and there is no cost to participate; Bigelow provides chaperoned room and board for the week.

Sixteen students from across the state will be selected, with representation from Maine’s various counties being a priority. During the program, students may participate in field activities, laboratory investigations, and discussions with scientists about careers, ethics, and real-world ocean research.

Applications are due April 10, 2026. For more details and to submit an application, visit the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Keller BLOOM Program application or contact Dr. Nicole Poulton at npoulton@bigelow.org or 207-315-2567 x513.

Deadline Extended for T-Shirt Design to Represent the 2026 MLTI Student Conference – ‘Full STEAM Ahead’

The Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI), an initiative of the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning, is excited to announce a T-shirt design competition for the 23rd annual MLTI Student Conference, to be held on May 21, 2026. The conference theme this year is “Full STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Ahead.”

This competition is open to all students in MLTI schools. Students who wish to participate are invited to create a design for the official conference T-shirt, which will be distributed to all participants at the in-person event at the University of Maine at Orono. Last year’s conference T-shirt design came from a student at Brunswick High School. Previous winners have been from Maranacook Community Middle School, Gray-New Gloucester High School, Waterville Junior High School, Auburn Middle School, and Southern Aroostook Community School.

The Maine DOE is looking forward to selecting a student design for these T-shirts (which will be available in youth sizes again this year). You can review eligibility and submission guidelines for the T-shirt design competition here. Please submit your entry using the 2026 MLTI Student Conference T-shirt design competition submission form.

Competition Timeline

January 2026: competition opens
Deadline extended to March 20, 2026: T-shirt designs due
April 6, 2026: finalists selected and winner notified

If you have questions about this competition or need assistance, please contact MLTI Project Manager Bethany Billinger at bethany.billinger@maine.gov.

For more information about the MLTI Student Conference, please email the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology Team at doe-ltt@maine.gov.

FedPoint Accepting Applications from High School Seniors for Nursing Scholarships

FedPoint, a federal benefits administrator and marketplace operator, is accepting applications for its annual nursing scholarships program. Four $5,000 scholarships will be announced in early May. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 20, 2026.

To be eligible for the merit-based scholarships, candidates must be graduating high school seniors who reside in Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts and who will be attending an accredited nursing program in the fall of 2026. Additional details about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, decision criteria, and important dates are available here.

FedPoint employs several dozen registered nurses who work with thousands of claimants insured through the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and their family members to provide care coordination and planning services. The company introduced this nursing scholarship in 2023 to promote nursing as a highly rewarding career and to help bolster the future nursing workforce in northern New England and beyond.

Again, the application submission deadline for the 2026 FedPoint Nursing Scholarship is Sunday, March 20, 2026. The scholarship review panel will include members of FedPoint’s care coordination team, as well as nurses from the Cornerstone Visiting Nurse Association.

For further information, please visit the FedPoint Nursing Scholarship webpage.

MEDIA RELEASE: Applications Open for Student Position on Maine State Board of Education

Applications are being accepted from current high school sophomores who attend public school in the Second Congressional District.

The Maine State Board of Education is currently seeking applications for its newest student member. Applications are open through Friday, February 13, 2026.

Student voice is critically important to the Maine State Board of Education. The Board has two nonvoting student members who join as high school juniors and serve for two years. One student is enrolled in a school in Maine’s First Congressional District, and the other student is enrolled in a school in Maine’s Second Congressional District. At all times, the Board has one high school junior and one high school senior with staggered appointments serving as members.

Applications are being accepted from current high school sophomores who attend public school in the Second Congressional District, which includes Androscoggin, Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Oxford, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, Waldo, Washington, and part of Kennebec Counties.

“Students bring a vital perspective to the Maine State Board of Education. Their lived experiences in Maine’s schools help to inform the Board’s decisions and strengthen its work on behalf of all learners,” Paulette Bonneau, Chair of the Maine State Board of Education, said. “Serving on the Board is a unique opportunity for students to engage in civic leadership, while shaping the future of education in Maine. Student members play an important role in ensuring that Board discussions and decisions reflect the realities of today’s classrooms.”

Application materials are available on the Student Board Members webpage. The Maine State Board of Education has also mailed application materials to all Second Congressional District high school principals, Career and Technical Education directors, and school counselors.

Completed applications, either hard copy or digital copy, should please be sent to:

Mary Becker
Interim Office Specialist
Maine State Board of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
207-624-6616
Mary.Becker@maine.gov

After applications close on February 13, they will be reviewed according to the process described in statute. Semifinalists will be interviewed in March 2026, after which three finalists will be chosen. The names and application materials of the finalists will be sent to the Governor’s office for final selection. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine State Legislature will then interview the nominee in a public hearing and make a recommendation about the nominee to the Maine Senate, which is charged with confirming the appointment.

Please consider sharing this extraordinary opportunity for Maine students to practice civic engagement, while serving as both a representative of Maine students and an active education leader in Maine.

Those with questions may contact Mary Becker, Maine State Board of Education Interim Office Specialist, at 207-624-6616 or via email at Mary.Becker@maine.gov.

2026 MLTI Student Conference – Full STEAM Ahead: Call for Session Proposals

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning is pleased to issue a call for session proposals for the 2026 MLTI Student Conference. This annual event is organized by the Maine DOE Learning Through Technology team as part of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI). This year’s conference will be held in person on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the University of Maine campus in Orono and is open to students in grades 5-10 from all MLTI school administrative units (SAUs).

The 2026 conference theme, “Full STEAM Ahead,” highlights the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM). While sessions are encouraged to align with this theme, it is not required. There are many possible session topics; however, all sessions should be technology-centered and may include traditional technology use, computer science, or unplugged activities.

Session Proposal Requirements

Platform Agnostic: Sessions should not be device-specific.
Free Tools and Apps: Sessions should use only free tools and applications that are accessible to all participants and, when possible, have a Student Data Privacy Agreement in place.
Age Appropriate: Sessions must be suitable for students in grades 5-10.

Sessions will be 60 minutes long. They should actively engage students in exploration, creation, and collaboration through technology and/or computer science. Presenters should plan to deliver their session twice, unless scheduling constraints prevent them from doing so.

Sessions may be led by educators or students. Last year, 40 students led or supported sessions, and the Maine DOE hopes to see a similarly strong level of student leadership this year. For inspiration, please review information from the 2025 event and 2024 event.

To submit a session proposal, please click here to complete the 2026 MLTI Student Conference Presentation Proposal Form. Individuals must register to present before March 20, 2026. The Learning Through Technology team will notify you about presenting by March 27, 2026.

2026 MLTI Student Conference Schedule: