Are you ready to open doors to boundless possibilities for your students? Consider registering for the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education’s (OSSIE) second annual ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit, scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Central Maine Community College.
This Summit invites schools across Maine to join a transformative initiative, designed specifically for students with disabilities who are at the age of transitioning from school to their future. This dynamic gathering goes beyond traditional career fairs to offer meaningful exploration, skill-building, and work-based learning opportunities, tailored to each student’s interests and abilities.
Making a Difference Together
By participating in this summit, you become part of a statewide movement to reshape post-secondary pathways for ALL Maine students with disabilities. Your involvement creates ripple effects of opportunity:
Students discover career paths they may never have considered, building confidence and practical skills for their future.
Educators gain valuable resources, evidence-based practices, and direct connections with industry partners.
Businesses develop tomorrow’s workforce, while fulfilling community engagement goals.
Join the Movement
Help your students find where they belong in Maine’s future workforce. The ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit provides a student-centered environment for youth to explore career pathways at their own pace, connect with potential employers, and envision new possibilities for their lives after school.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of something extraordinary! Together, we can create a more inclusive, opportunity-rich future for Maine’s students with disabilities.
Maine middle and high schools may register their students here if they plan to bring them to the second annual ‘I Belong’ Youth Summit.
For more information, please contact Maine DOE Transition Specialist Titus O’Rourke at titus.orourke@maine.gov.
The two-day event, themed, “Plowing New Paths, Harvesting Dreams,” celebrated youth leadership in agriculture and natural resources.
The Maine FFA Association proudly concluded its 95th annual State Convention on May 9, 2025, following two vibrant days of student-led events, competitions, and career development activities held in the Greater Bangor/Orono region. Hosted primarily at the University of Maine campus in Orono, the convention welcomed more than 300 FFA members, advisors, guests, and supporters from across the state.
This year’s convention theme, “Plowing New Paths, Harvesting Dreams,” guided a full schedule of programming that highlighted youth leadership, innovation in agriculture, and meaningful community engagement. The event featured career and leadership development opportunities in 19 unique areas, including, but not limited to, environmental science, veterinary science, public speaking, floriculture, and tractor driving. Students also participated in community service projects with Maine Harvest for Hunger, the Bangor Humane Society, and Good Shepherd Food Bank.
“This year’s convention theme couldn’t be more fitting, as these words capture both the hard work that defines agricultural life but also the hopeful vision that drives us forward,” Megan Welter, Maine DOE Associate Commissioner of Public Education, said to students during the convention’s opening ceremony. “Since last May, Maine proudly welcomed three new FFA chapters: Poland, Dexter, and Sanford. That expansion brings the State of Maine to 14 chapters, which is a 15% growth in one year. That’s not just a number; that is a testament to the enduring relevance and growing importance of agriculture education in our state.”
Also in attendance during the convention’s opening and closing ceremonies were Deputy Commissioner Nancy McBrady of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry; Dean Diane Rowland of the University of Maine College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences; and National FFA Secretary Luke Jennings, along with State Officers from FFA chapters across Maine. The convention celebrated the achievements of these FFA chapters and installed the 2025-2026 State Officer Team.
“FFA has been the best thing that has happened to me individually, but I also get to watch a lot of other students grow, as well,” Maine FFA State Vice President Haley Mayne said. “I am so proud of everyone, and I think that being in FFA will not only prepare you for things in agriculture but also for real-world experience. It’s such an awesome organization to be a part of.”
Additional highlights from the two-day event included livestock evaluation, an ag mechanics competition, the National FFA Officer workshop, and hands-on activities in aquaculture, horse evaluation, and floriculture.
Most eligible children will receive these benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply. In the summer, many children lose the free and reduced-price meals that they get at school. SUN Bucks provides families with a $120 EBT benefit for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out of session. | More
Thanks to an Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Expansion grant from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Healthy Acadia is working to provide more ELO opportunities to young people in Washington County in a variety of ways. | More
Since the summer of 2024, Healthy Acadia, JustME for JustUS, and Deer Isle – Stonington High School have partnered to develop and implement a year-long project called “Designing the Future.” The school-wide program has engaged the entire high school community in a series of events, activities, and guest speakers and has also brought together teams of students to develop proposals for specific challenges facing the island community. | More
Students in grades 5-8 at Westbrook Middle School are—literally—reaching new heights, thanks to an innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program integrating drone technology. | More
The new Maine Climate Literacy Plan provides additional guidance and support for school districts participating in the Maine DOE Climate Education Program.
AUGUSTA, Maine—The Maine Department of Education (DOE) continues to promote climate education opportunities for school districts statewide with the recent publication of the Maine Climate Literacy Plan.
In the spring of 2024, the Maine DOE convened a taskforce to develop this statewide climate education plan, designed to support the Maine DOE Climate Education Program, which launched in 2023. This program takes a place-based, interdisciplinary approach to helping students learn more about our planet’s climate system and how it works.
So far in its three-year pilot, the Maine DOE Climate Education Program has supported nearly 30 locally-designed climate education professional learning opportunities throughout the state—including 10 underway this school year. Some examples include:
MSAD 17 Elementary, middle, and high school students in MSAD 17 are engaging in a wide range of experiential, environmental education programs through a partnership with Roberts Farms Preserve and the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy. Advisory groups made of teachers throughout the district help to guide and lead curriculum efforts. MSAD 17 recently expanded its capacity for this climate education work by unveiling a new experiential learning building at Roberts Farm Preserve.
For more information, contact Jill Bartash, MSAD 17 Curriculum Director, at j.bartash@msad17.org.
MSAD 17 students enjoy time at Roberts Farm Preserve as part of the Maine DOE Climate Education Program.
Westbrook Middle School Westbrook Middle School has a robust farming and environmental education program right in its own backyard. This year as part of the Maine DOE Climate Education Program, the middle school has hosted an educator from the Wild Seed Project three days a week to help teachers explore and learn more about the natural environment. Teachers work with the Wild Seed Project educator to integrate interdisciplinary lessons for students throughout the school day. This programming is set to continue throughout the spring.
RSU 34 RSU 34 in Old Town is wrapping up a busy year of programming through the Maine DOE Climate Education Program in partnership with the RiSE Center at the University of Maine. This initiative has focused on braiding together Indigenous knowledge and Western science to develop climate education curricula and support teacher professional learning. Celebratory events for this program will be hosted on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, at the UMaine Orono campus.
For more information, contact Jon Doty, RSU 34 Assistant Superintendent, at jon.doty@rsu34.org.
RSU 34 teachers participate in professional learning at the Hirundo Wildlife Preserve as part of the Maine DOE Climate Education Program.
Students in grades 5-8 at Westbrook Middle School are—literally—reaching new heights, thanks to an innovative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program integrating drone technology.
Under the guidance of STEAM teachers Stephen Moulen and Frank Lynham, students are participating in the WozED Drone Curriculum, a hands-on learning experience that combines aeronautics, problem-solving, and teamwork. It engages students in piloting small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while developing critical skills in engineering, physics, and digital literacy. Through a series of structured modules, students learn the fundamentals of drone operation, including pre-flight checklists, basic and advanced maneuvers, and real-world applications of UAV technology.
“The students are not just learning how to fly drones; they’re applying scientific concepts, honing their communications skills, and working collaboratively to complete flight challenges,” Moulen said. “It’s exciting to see their enthusiasm and problem-solving abilities take off—literally and figuratively!”
The drones used in this program were funded by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Teach with Tech grant, which supports innovative technology integration in classrooms across the state. This funding has enabled students to gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools that enhance their learning and prepare them for future careers in STEM fields.
As part of the program, students take on various roles, such as pilot-in-command and visual observer, to ensure safe and effective drone operation. They engage in mission-based activities, including navigating obstacle courses, performing precision landings, and even designing delivery systems to transport objects via drone.
Beyond technical skills, the WozED Drone Curriculum also emphasizes responsible drone usage, including discussions on safety regulations, ethical considerations, and the broader impact of UAVs in industries like agriculture, search and rescue, and environmental monitoring.
The hands-on learning approach has proven to be a hit with students.
“I love flying drones because it feels like I’m learning and having fun at the same time,” one 7th-grade participant said. “It’s really cool to see how drones are used in real life and to actually control one myself.”
Westbrook Middle School’s implementation of the WozED Drone Curriculum reflects a growing commitment to providing students with future-ready skills. By integrating drone technology into the STEAM program, the school is preparing students for careers in STEM fields, while fostering creativity, innovation, and critical thinking.
For more information about the WozED Drone Curriculum and its impact on student learning, click here.
This article was submitted by Westbrook Middle School.To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.
(Pictured: Youth at the DownEast Teen Leadership Camp.)
Thanks to an Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Expansion grant from the Maine Department of Education (DOE), Healthy Acadia is working to provide more ELO opportunities to young people in Washington County in a variety of ways.
Last July, forty-three teenagers from Downeast Maine enjoyed Healthy Acadia’s 2024 DownEast Teen Leadership Camp (DETLC), a weeklong overnight summer camp experience at the Cobscook Institute in Trescott. DETLC is primarily a camp for youth, led by youth. The program challenges and empowers youth by providing them with the skills necessary to be leaders and workers in their communities.
The program begins months before the actual summer camp experience in January, when a youth advisory team takes the lead in planning the camp’s activities, ensuring that campers have a say in shaping their own experiences. This unique approach allows for the camp to feel personalized, as activities and discussions are specifically designed to reflect the interests of the participants.
Throughout the week, campers engage in various activities to promote leadership, community bonding, and holding space for healthy discussions. Students participate in workshops sponsored by regional and statewide businesses and organizations, as well as other physical team-building exercises that further build self-confidence and community. These immersive activities help campers to explore new interests, push their comfort zones, and form lasting connections.
“One of my favorite parts of camp as a youth staff member is the family groups,” Naomi Eyerman, DETLC 2024 Student Staff Media and Arts Coordinator, shared. “It’s great to get to know campers on a more personal level. Family groups really foster connections and are safe spaces where campers can have fun, as well as open up and get deep. DETLC overall has so many unique experiences that make camp truly memorable.”
Family group time plays an important role in the overall philosophy and structure of DETLC. Through Community Sessions and Mini-Workshops, students begin to develop an awareness of relationships, coping skills and issues with substances and other sensitive topics. Family Group is a place to question, discuss, and put into practice what campers learn in the community sessions and mini-workshops. This can be done by questioning and discussing workshop content, relating issues to their personal lives, sharing thoughts and feelings, practicing life skills, and building on their self-esteem.
ELO coordinator Corrie Hunkler, who works for Healthy Acadia, spearheaded DETLC. In her recent endeavors, Hunkler has also worked with the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology (CWCIT) and Maine Youth Action Network (MYAN) to further her work with ELOs in Washington County and the surrounding areas.
Hunkler is helping to create tangible pathways for students to explore their interests and career aspirations. This hands-on support is reflected in the 53 students she has helped to engage in meaningful work opportunities, such as coordinating the Washington County Leadership Challenge, which allows students, teachers, and civic leaders to collaborate to formulate plans and create goals to address relevant local civic issues; and group trips like the Maine Youth Leadership Conference, which brings eight students to Augusta, providing workshops and guest speakers to help participants learn valuable leadership skills.
Through programs like these, ELOs continue to open doors for young people in the region. The Early Childhood Education program at CWCIT has embedded ELOs into its Wednesday class time, for example, ensuring that even more students are introduced to these vital opportunities—and that those opportunities remain accessible to all students in the region.
Students at the Coastal Washington County Institute of Technology.
“We don’t have classes on gender studies; we don’t have classes on environmental science; and so it’s [ELOs] allowing kids who maybe have an interest or passion to be able to do what they’re interested in, and I think that’s so important,” Hunkler said. “This work is just so key in places that don’t have as much access to things.”
Corrie Hunkler presents on ELOs at the Youth Development Summit held at Washington County Community College on April 29, 2025.
These efforts are integral to broadening the horizons of students in Maine who may otherwise lack the resources and opportunities to explore their passions. Providing these pathways for personal and academic growth is vital for creating a more inclusive and empowered future generation, especially in rural communities like those in Washington County.
Students at Maine Youth Action Network.
To view a short clip of ELOs in Washington County and to learn more about Healthy Acadia and its ELO community support, contact Corrie Hunkler at corrie.hunkler@healthyacadia.org.
For more information about Extended Learning Opportunities, contact Lana Sawyer at lana.sawyer@maine.gov. Healthy Acadia was an awardee of Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan grants, starting in 2022, that supported 26 programs across Maine, covering 13 counties.
Since the summer of 2024, Healthy Acadia, JustME for JustUS, and Deer Isle – Stonington High School have partnered to develop and implement a year-long project called “Designing the Future.” The school-wide program has engaged the entire high school community in a series of events, activities, and guest speakers and has also brought together teams of students to develop proposals for specific challenges facing the island community.
The devastating storms in January of 2024 heightened the awareness of the island community of the dangers represented by climate change. Students, families, and school staff alike experienced the impact of the storms, whether due to personal loss, the impact felt by neighbors, or just by witnessing the causeways under four feet of water. The storms highlighted the vulnerability of the island community, while presenting an opportunity for students to think about how they could have a positive impact on climate resilience.
Designing the Future kicked off with a full day of activities on November 14 and culminated in March with STEM Week, when students collaborated to create a vision for one place on Deer Isle that represents the future that they want to live in. This project is inspired by Arts Week, in which each student group collaborates with a visiting professional to imagine, draft, and present a project that responds to a local need and answers the question: “What could we build here?” The faculty, staff, and student body are divided into five groups based on interest, each working collaboratively on a different project across the island.
The kick-off event in November included a visit to each site and feedback from a community member living or working at the site. The five areas explored were: Sunshine Causeway, Lily Pond, Stonington Main Street, Greenhead Lobster, and Billings Diesel and Marine.
In November, students heard from Gayle Bowness of the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, James Rutter of the Haystack Fab Lab, and Genevieve McDonald, a Stonington resident and the local school board chair.
In December, students heard from Will Steinharter of Osprey’s Echo about the effects of storms on the island ecosystem and ecotourism economy.
In February, students heard from Linda Nelson, the town of Stonington’s Director of Economic and Community Development, about the impact of climate change on Stonington. Also in February, the entire school visited the University of Maine Process Development Center and the Advanced Structures and Composites Center to learn more about emerging technologies and their role in climate resilience.
In addition, the five faculty, staff, and student body groups have met several times throughout the year to collect information, consider their sites, and, most importantly, think creatively and critically about possible solutions to the challenges they face.
The final project in March included a tabling event and presentation to the school and community members, as students shared their vision for the future of their chosen site on the island.
Deer Isle – Stonington High School, Healthy Acadia, and JustME for JustUS are grateful to the following partners for their support throughout this project with expertise, facilities, and funding: Healthy Acadia; Andrew Simon, JustME for JustUS; Isidora Muñoz Segovia, Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI); Meggie Harvey, Haystack School of Crafts; James Rutter, Island Heritage Trust; Martha Bell and Alex Drenga, University of Maine; Renee Kelly, Maine App Challenge; Matt Jones, Maine Math and Science Alliance; Alexandria Brasili, Kleinschmidt Associates; Nicholas Ciomei (Deer Isle-Stonington High School ‘05); Katy Rinehart and Herb Carter, Opera House Arts; Allison Melvin, Greenhead Lobster; Genevieve McDonald, Billings Diesel and Marine.
This story was submitted by Deer Isle – Stonington High School, Healthy Acadia, and JustME for JustUS.To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.
Most eligible children will receive these benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply.
In the summer, many children lose the free and reduced-price meals that they get at school. SUN Bucks provides families with a $120 EBT benefit for each eligible school-aged child to buy groceries when school is out of session.
SUN Bucks is designed to supplement families’ grocery budgets over the summer. Most eligible children will receive these benefits automatically, but some families will need to apply. This program occurs in addition to free meals that children of all ages may access at summer meal sites in their communities.
How SUN Bucks Works
Families will receive a one-time EBT benefit of $120 per eligible child for the summer. The benefits may be used at authorized retailers, such as grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy.
For children already eligible for SNAP, SUN Bucks will be loaded onto the household’s existing EBT card (also called the Pine Tree Card).
For children who don’t receive SNAP but did previously receive P-EBT or SUN Bucks, the benefit will be loaded onto the previously-issued card.
For children who don’t receive SNAP and didn’t receive SUN Bucks or P-EBT previously, a new Pine Tree Card will be issued.
If a family had an EBT card previously and lost it, a replacement card must be ordered by calling 800-477-7428.
Automatic Enrollment for Most Families
Most children will be automatically enrolled for SUN Bucks and do not need to apply if:
They completed an application for school meal benefit and were found eligible.
They are aged 6-16 and part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, or are identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by the Office for Family Independence (OFI) or Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS).
Automatically-enrolled households will receive a letter in late spring, and benefits will start in June.
Manual Application for Some Families
Families who haven’t received a letter in the mail by mid-June notifying them of automatic enrollment should consider applying manually for SUN Bucks if:
Their child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program.
The household meets the requirements for free or reduced-price school meal benefit.
Community Eligibility Provision: If students are not part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, or identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS, but they do meet the requirements for free or reduced-price meal benefit, they will need to apply for SUN Bucks.
Provision 2: If students are not part of a household that already participates in SNAP, FDPIR, TANF, MaineCare at 185% FPL, or identified as foster, homeless, or migrant by OFI or OCFS, but they do meet the requirements for free or reduced-price meal benefit, most will need to apply for SUN Bucks.
How to Help to Spread the Word
Schools may help to spread the word by sharing information with families about theSUN Bucks program and how they may receive benefits for their children. Suggestions include:
Encourage families with children who will automatically be enrolled to make sure their mailing address is up to date by calling OFI at 855-797-4357.
Tell families to keep an eye out for a letter notifying them of automatic enrollment, a new card in the mail, or a balance increase on their existing card in early June.
Encourage families who haven’t received notice of automatic enrollment by mid-June, but who may have eligible children, to apply.
Please use the below flyers to help spread the word about this important program and direct families to OFI’s SUN Bucks webpage for more information about the program and how to apply. Families may also call OFI at 855-797-4357 and select option 5 to speak with an Eligibility Specialist about SUN Bucks.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Demographics Report will open for review in the Maine Department of Education (DOE) NEO Student Module on Thursday, May 15, 2025. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE), in partnership with the Maine Environmental Education Association, has published the state’s first Maine Climate Literacy Plan (MCLP) with support from the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Special Services and Inclusive Education successfully hosted the state’s first-ever Inclusive Education Conference on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Augusta Civic Center. The groundbreaking event, themed “Reimagining Education: Empowering All Learners, Embracing All Abilities,” brought together voices from across Maine to celebrate and advance inclusive practices in education. | More
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are providing resources to recognize, address, and support youth mental health. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2025 cohort of the Teacher Leader Fellowship program. This program provides an opportunity for practicing educators to lead, innovate, and create resources that will strengthen teaching and learning across Maine. Applications are due by May 27, 2025. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Child Nutrition team is celebrating its 2025 Farm to School Cook-Off champion after a final round of competition on Thursday, April 17. For 10 years, this initiative has promoted the use of local foods in school meals, as school nutrition teams from across the state use locally-sourced ingredients to prepare a breakfast and a lunch, which a panel of judges then scores. | More
The Maine State Museum is now accepting applications from Maine teachers for a new program that will showcase students’ place-based work. Teachers from five Maine schools will be selected to test the “My Maine Museum” program with their students during the 2025-2026 school year. | More
At Kennebec Valley Multiple Pathways Academy (KVMPA), education looks a little different, and that’s exactly the point. Located at Maine Street Middle School, and serving students in grades 7 through 12 within MSAD 59, KVMPA offers an innovative alternative to traditional schooling. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators across Maine to apply for the 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes. These three-day, in-person professional learning experiences will occur from July 14–16, 2025, at the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor. Applications will close on May 27. | More
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning invites educators across Maine to apply for the 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes. These three-day, in-person professional learning experiences will occur from July 14–16, 2025, at the College of the Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor. Applications will close on May 27.
Designed for public school teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, and specialists across all grade levels and content areas, these immersive and hands-on institutes will bring together educators committed to strengthening interdisciplinary approaches to literacy or numeracy. Each participant will engage in deep content learning, hands-on collaboration, and the design of practical, real-world instructional experiences.
Participants will engage with local learning environments, including community gardens, the iconic Beatrix Farrand Gardens, the Dorr Museum of Natural History, Allied Whale, COA’s greenhouses and learning labs, the intertidal zone, and the vibrant community of Bar Harbor. They will explore high-impact instructional practices, investigate ways to connect content to students’ lives and communities, and help advance a statewide effort to promote meaningful, integrated learning across Maine classrooms.
Expectations of Participants Educators selected to participate in the institute will:
Attend the full three-day in-person experience.
Collaborate with fellow educators to deepen their understanding of evidence-informed interdisciplinary literacy or numeracy practices.
Create a high-quality learning task that reflects real-world application of literacy or numeracy concepts and meets the criteria to be made available on MOOSE (Maine Online Opportunities for Sustained Education).
Have the opportunity to pilot the task during the 2025–2026 school year, providing feedback and contributing to shared statewide resources.
Participants will receive a stipend of $400 for successfully completing and posting the learning task, with an additional stipend available for those who choose to pilot the task and submit classroom feedback and instructional resources.
Logistics and Support The Maine DOE will provide lodging and meals for all participants, and mileage reimbursement is available for attendees traveling more than 50 miles one way.
Apply Now Applications are open now and will close on Monday, May 27, at 5 p.m. All applicants will be notified by Monday, June 2. Space is limited, and the Maine DOE will work to ensure that selected participants represent a diverse range of grade levels, geographic regions, and content areas from across the state.
The 2025 Literacy and Numeracy Summer Institutes are funded through Title II/Title IV state reservation funds. For more information or with questions, please contact Maine DOE Chief of Teaching and Learning Officer Beth Lambert at beth.lambert@maine.gov.
Maine DOE Newsroom 