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.
Maine Middle School Science & Engineering Fair
The Maine Middle School Science & Engineering Fair challenges middle school students to ask questions and solve real-world problems. Creativity and curiosity drive this annual event managed by the Reach Center, an extension of MMSA.
Maine-SMART
The Maine-SMART project, led by the University of Maine, aims to strengthen and expand research capacity in Maine. A sub-component of the project is Maine-BRIDGE, which aims to connect researchers with teachers to develop the STEM skills of students in Maine.
Maine State Science Fair
The Maine State Science Fair (MSSF) is an exciting opportunity for Maine high school students to pursue their interest in science and engineering and present results of their projects to fellow students and expert STEM professionals. MSSF is open to all students from all public, private, parochial and home schools (grades 9-12) throughout Maine and is organized by The Jackson Laboratory and Reach, a program of MMSA.
Smart Greenhouses
A National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded collaboration between MMSA and Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development will bring the college’s Smart Greenhouse curriculum to Maine schools.
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.
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.
Rural Energy Futures
Bringing together energy experts, local communities, and students to explore energy transition and careers in the energy industry in rural Maine. Along the way, students build confidence in their STEM identities, realize the STEM expertise of their family and neighbors, and connect with career opportunities that are available locally.
SciEPlay
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.
Sensemaking about Place
A cohort of elementary teachers, administrators, and researchers from Montana, Maine, and Hawaii will support one another while comparing and contrasting challenges and opportunities in rural education focused on place-based phenomena. Teachers will learn to adapt national materials to local scientific phenomena to produce more place-based and locally relevant materials.
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.
