Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance - MMSA

Join MMSA in celebrating the incredible service of outgoing MMSA Board members Kevin London, Margo Murphy, and Jeff Hecker, who have greatly contributed over the past nine years. As we thank them for their dedication, we’re excited to welcome new members: Stu Rich, Glen Widmer, and Andrew Forbes.
Read more in a new blog post: https://mmsa.org/2024/08/board-of-directors-updates/

The MMSA math, science, and informal education teams came together to host the first Science and Math Outdoors Workshop at the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick on June 28th. Learn more in this blog:

Science and Math Outdoors (SMOrs) Workshop Focuses on Teaching with Natural Phenomena Teach ME Outside and MMSA worked with teachers at a workshop on combining math and science teaching with natural phenomena.

A huge thank you to our dedicated MMSA staff and partners for their passion and hard work in making computer science more accessible in K-12 classrooms. Your efforts made CS Summer of Fun 2024 a great success.

Educate Maine Code.org Roux Institute at Northeastern University Tyler Technologies, Inc. Systems Engineering

Thank you to everyone who joined us for ! It’s been an incredible journey exploring how to integrate CS into K-12 classrooms. We hope you had a fantastic time! A special thanks to University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy for stopping by this afternoon and sharing a few words during our closing. Keep an eye out for more updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes photos and videos as we reflect on this memorable week of learning and community building!
Educate Maine

Loving these Summer of Fun vibes! 🌟
📸 Thanks for sharing your awesome photos!

Buzz is building around ! Watch New Center Maine's story on this incredible experience for educators.

Educators go 'back to school,' learning how to teach students valuable computer science skills The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance and nonprofit Educate Maine have been hosting the CS Summer of Fun program for four years now.

At , educators are diving into creative ways to incorporate computer science into their teaching. They are exploring how to use Lego Robotics kits, such as Lego Essentials and Lego Prime, to make lessons more engaging and interactive. Additionally, they are learning to enhance ELA lessons with the Sphero Bolt, utilizing block coding to develop story maps and explore thematic elements. These sessions provide fresh approaches to integrating technology and enriching the curriculum.

At , attendees have engaged in dynamic sessions, including using data talks to boost students' data skills, integrating CS into literacy, and incorporating Bee Bots into science lessons for interactive learning. Sessions like these are crucial for equipping educators with innovative strategies to advance computer science education and better prepare students for the future.

CS Summer of Fun was highlighted on WABI news last night! Watch the clip now:

Teachers become students at computer science program Teachers of all grades and subjects came to the University of Maine campus for the Computer Science Summer of Fun program, gaining skills to use on and offline.

Today’s Summit truly made us feel optimistic about the future of CS education in Maine! Education Commissioner, Pender Makin set the tone for the day, Dr. Joshua Childs delivered a moving keynote, dynamic panelists shared valuable insights, and breakout and networking sessions fueled innovations and critical collaborations.

Educate Maine Maine Department of Education

MMSA's High School Rural Energy Futures project was one of six clean energy grant awards announced yesterday by the Maine Governor’s Energy Office (GEO). The project focuses on educator professional development on energy data, a leadership program, and connecting 500 rural high school students with clean energy and energy efficiency careers. Learn More:

Governor's Energy Office Announces Funding for Clean Energy Workforce Training MMSA's High School Rural Energy Futures project was one of six clean energy grant awards announced today by the Maine Governor’s Energy Office (GEO). The project focuses on educator professional development on energy data, a leadership program, and connecting 500 rural high school students with cl...

We’re ecstatic to co-host the first Maine CS Education Summit today! More than 200 educators, policymakers, business leaders, nonprofits, and higher education institutes are here to collaborate on integrating CS education into K-12 classrooms. Together, we're paving the way for accessible CS education across Maine. 🎉💻

Educate Maine, Maine Department of Education

Thank you Tyler Technologies, Inc.'s Maine App Challenge for hosting tonight’s CS Champions reception, and sponsoring . Together, we’re celebrating Maine educators' dedication and impact in shaping our community's future.
Educate Maine

Through , educators are acquiring new skills and strategies to seamlessly integrate CS into K-12 classrooms. With these new skills, CS Summer of Fun participants will make a significant impact by teaching CS education to 2,760+ students collectively next year.

Curious about what goes into preparing for ? Take a look at these behind-the-scenes glimpses into our setup!

Educate Maine

Fun fact: Did you know that 137 people from 80+ communities across Maine, NH, VT, and MA will be joining us at this week? Check out this photo and tag yourself or anyone you recognize in the comment section.

Shout-out to Systems Engineering for their invaluable sponsorship of ! Their support has enabled this week's learning opportunities for educators which will expand CS education access to thousands of Maine students in the coming school year.

Happy ! ✨MMSA and Educate Maine are thrilled to host a week of in-person professional learning focused on Computer Science for K-12 educators and administrators. Stay tuned as we share updates, photos, and highlights this week from CS Summer of Fun happening on the University of Maine Orono campus!

‘‘T’was the night before Monday
And all through the state
Maine teachers were stirring
They just couldn’t wait!….”

…wait for what? Why, the fourth annual CS Summer of Fun, where educators go “back to class,” discovering how to integrate computer science learning into their classrooms and curricula.

Stay tuned for updates from Orono all week. Educate Maine and Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance - MMSA can’t wait to welcome our educators to campus.

Emma Carey and Stefany Burrell attended the IDEXX Community Partner Exxpo on Wednesday. The pair got to meet IDEXX staff and tell them about ways they can support MMSA. They also got to learn about many other nonprofits doing amazing things in Maine!

Weatherblur, later known as iWonder, brought citizen science and students together in the great outdoors. Read this post celebrating this decade-long project: https://mmsa.org/2024/06/weatherblur-iwonder-10-years/

This year, 81 educators attended five Teach ME Outside workshops from November to June at various locations across Maine: Washington Academy, Monson Arts, Katahdin Elementary School, The Center for Wildlife, and The Woodlawn Museum. Hosted by MMSA and Maine Environmental Education Association these events aimed to foster outdoor learning culture.

Immerse yourself in our innovative math fluency tools and resources during a two-day, in-person workshop. Designed to empower educators with effective formative assessment techniques and fluency strategies. You’ll also receive packs of mFITT multiple representation cards! Register today: https://mmsa.org/2024/06/introduction-to-mfitt/

Free breakfast and lunch when you sign up for our upcoming book study workshop for Peter Liljedahl and Maegan Giroux's new Building Thinking Classrooms task book! We’ll dive into tasks and ideas as we explore the book’s innovative strategies and practical guidance to enhance student engagement and critical thinking. Register now: https://mmsa.org/2024/05/book-study/