Projects

On this page you can view a selection of active MMSA projects. Find out more about specific projects by clicking on its section. Find a selection of completed projects on the past projects page.

ACRES

ACRES is a nationally acclaimed virtual coaching program that builds knowledge and skills so afterschool educators, librarians, and anyone who works with youth in out-of-school settings can confidently facilitate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) experiences for youth. If educators invest their time, MMSA and the National Science Foundation will invest in them and cover the expenses of this professional development. The ACRES project has engaged educators from 44 states.

iWonder

iWonder (previously known as WeatherBlur) is a student-led, place-based, citizen science program that promotes scientific and environmental literacy by engaging students in close collaboration with scientific experts in field-based projects. This program links Computational Thinking with citizen science and civic engagement through student-led projects.

PeBLES2

PeBLES2 is designing instructional materials and professional learning for elementary science to support teachers in making locally and culturally relevant adaptations to phenomena. Together with teachers, we are investigating how teachers use and grow with our designed materials over time.

PLAY

This collaborative research project between the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and Bowdoin College will explore how preschoolers and kindergarteners can engage in science and engineering practices in play-based learning environments. Through video-rich professional learning modules and peer coaching sessions, this project will support early childhood educators to enhance and extend children’s play-based investigations.

Numeracy in Nature (NiN)

The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance is pleased to be teaming up with teachers at Western Maine elementary schools to explore meaningful strategies for taking math learning outside. In this program, K-5 educators are working together throughout the summer and school year to utilize and create resources for teaching numeracy in nature.

REACH

Reach provides an outlet for Maine youth who want to take deep dives into STEM. We give year-round support to educators and students who take part in our three competitions: Maine State Science Fair, Destination Imagination, and Maine Middle School Science and Engineering Fair.

STEMports

STEMports brings a unique educational experience to your fingertips using augmented reality. Created through an NSF grant and partnership with Field Day Lab, students can explore, observe, and discover their community through a whole new lens. From coastal wetlands to inland forests, STEM learning can be found wherever you take your phone.

STEM Workforce Ready 2030

WFR is creating a network of teacher leaders across Maine who are committed to increasing equitable access to computer science learning in rural PreK-8 classrooms.

Teach ME Outside

Teach ME Outside (TMO) supports and works in partnership with Maine communities to ensure that all Maine youth have access to powerful, culturally relevant, hands-on, environmental learning opportunities. This collaborative project works toward achieving that goal by utilizing a strategic and data-informed process to develop supports for educators to inform policy.

UNUM - Elevating Student Voice and Choice Through Mathematical Modeling

With funding from Unum Equitable Pathways, we are developing and piloting a course focused on supporting teachers in math modeling that’s responsive to student voice and choice. Participating teachers engage in math modeling, connecting with industry professionals, and practicing facilitating math modeling tasks driven by students’ interests and choices.

UNUM - Community Conversations

Maine has a growing diverse, non-white population fueled in part by immigrants and refugees to Portland, Lewiston and other areas. Programming we create needs to focus on the strengths of this community and value diversity of thoughts. Funded by a grant from UNUM, we are collaborating with Cross Cultural Community services to host conversations with community partners in order to better understand the needs and assets of this population.