Your help could further MMSA’s vision of a brighter STEM future for the State of Maine and the nation. Today, I ask you to support MMSA and become a part of the movement to support exciting new ways for our youth to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math.
STEMeX | Mixing Hands-on Science Inquiry with Personal Storytelling
In 2016, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) created a special research initiative named “STEMeX” (STEM Expert Facilitation of Family Learning in Libraries and Museums). This is the only project at MMSA that engages our research staff in performing evaluation of a federal program. Awards were made to four universities and museums to… [Read More]
Experiential STEM Updates
Throughout 2019, the Experiential STEM project, with the generous support of the Davis Family Foundation, will provide focused, non-hierarchical professional development that works with teams of students and educators together – learning and planning curriculum side-by-side. Innovation in education is a team effort. While teachers and students are central to instructional shifts, changes in education cannot… [Read More]
Moving Environmental Education Forward in Maine
We have just finished up the data collection period for the Census of Community-Based Environmental Learning in Maine and are thrilled with the response that we received from across the state! We received responses from over 600 people from across the state representing schools, nonprofit organizations, land trusts, libraries, science centers, and more. We want… [Read More]
Gearing up for WeatherBlur 2019/2020
We are gearing up for the next iteration of WeatherBlur for the 2019-2020 school year! We’re excited to be partnering with RTI International with funding from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and will be welcoming new schools from Mississippi and Alabama to the WeatherBlur family. WeatherBlur is a citizen science project that aims to… [Read More]
Maine State Science Fair (MSSF) 2019
Last month 249 student research projects were presented at the 73rd Maine State Science Fair at Bowdoin College. High school students from across the state came together to celebrate science and engineering, representing 35 schools, from Fort Kent to East Machias to Fryeburg. Four students were awarded the Intel ISEF Grand Award at the Maine… [Read More]
STEMports – Using Gaming to Connect Rural Youth with the STEM in their Communities
It is no secret that rural communities across the United States struggle to retain motivated and talented STEM workers—and Maine is certainly no exception. Rural labor markets are in transition, and there is a common misconception that individuals interested in innovation and cutting-edge STEM careers must relocate to urban centers or regional tech hubs to… [Read More]
Partner Profile: National Afterschool Association
The National AfterSchool Association (NAA) is a national membership organization for professionals who work with and on behalf of children and youth during out-of-school time (OST). With over 20,000 members across the country the NAA promotes development, provides education and encourages advocacy for the OST community to further the afterschool profession. NAA strives to connect… [Read More]
WeatherBlur’s King Tide Investigation Research Updates
The WeatherBlur research team has been busy analyzing data from one of last year’s most productive investigations: King Tide. During this investigation, students were interested in learning more about how the high water from the November King Tide would affect local beaches, roads, and buildings in their community (a “King Tide” is a non-scientific term… [Read More]
Island Hoppin’ with the MMSA Research Team
Who says being an employee of MMSA is all work and no play? Sometimes we get a chance to do both by working with innovative education programs in some of the most beautiful corners of the state of Maine. This summer the ACRES team is collaborating with Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership (HICSL)… [Read More]