Current Opportunities
Opportunities For Youth
Scientist To Go Meetups
Our Scientist To Go program allows for students to virtually meet with a wide range of scientists and to learn a little bit more about what they do. These 45 minute sessions include presentations from the scientists and Q&A opportunity for students. Current meet ups can be found here
Community Science Challenges
Students participating in community science can connect with professional scientists and other classrooms across the Northeast, get outside to make careful observations of local ecosystems, and contribute important data on impacts of climate change. Email Meggie at [email protected] to get your class involved right away or get information on future events.
In-Person LabVenture Programs
Request a visit to our LabVenture Program for your 5th or 6th grade classrooms at LabVenture.gmri.org
Professional Learning Opportunities
GMRI Curriculum Workshop: Maple Sugaring in a Changing Climate (Norway)
Join GMRI staff and educators from Oxford Hills for a day long workshop to learn about this Maine-focused maple curriculum resource. March 20th 8:30-3:30 at The Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, ME. Register Here
As an agricultural practice with Indigenous origins, maple sugaring has been a tradition throughout the Northeast for thousands of years. How is climate change impacting maple syrup production and what can we do to plan for a climate resilient future in the region? Participants will experience hands-on and interactive lesson activities, engage with data-based learning and get outdoors to check out local maple trees located on the Roberts Farm Preserve. Check out the full curriculum module here: Maple Sugaring in a Warming Climate.
~
Investigating the Impacts of Climate Change on Growing Conditions Through the Use of Data and Hands-on Activities
April 17, 12pm EDT (Virtual), Hosted by the Farm-Based Educators Network and Shelburne Farms
Education staff from The Gulf of Maine Research Institute will share their experiences using data visualizations with educators and young people to investigate patterns and changes in the environment that affect our ability to grow food. They will also share resilience-based curriculum resources related to maple production and potato farming that can be used both in and out of school settings. Register.
~
GMRI Curriculum Workshop: Predators and Prey in a Warming Gulf of Maine (Surry)
Join us to learn about the “Warming Gulf of Maine: Investigating Predators and Prey" curriculum resource, April 29th 4-8pm at The Gatherings in Surry, ME. Register here.
Description: How are warming ocean temperatures impacting fish species in the region? How do scientists study changing predator/prey relationships throughout this complex ecosystem? Investigate these questions and more as you learn about a new NGSS-aligned middle school curriculum based on ongoing research being conducted by researchers at The University of New Hampshire and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Participants will experience hands-on and interactive lesson activities, engage with data-based learning and develop an ecosystem model using the digital SageModeler tool. In addition to middle school students, resources from this module are also relevant for high school science students. Check out the full curriculum module here: A Warming Gulf of Maine: Investigating Impacts on Predators and Prey. Note that there will be about an hour of pre-work for participants to do prior to the workshop.
Participating educators will receive a $100 stipend, mileage reimbursement, dinner and contact hours.
~
Educator Workshop: Phenology Investigations with Youth (Waldoboro)
Join Maine Sea Grant, The Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Coastal Mountains Land Trust for this in-person phenology workshop for educators, April 16, 4pm-7:00pm at UMaine Cooperative Extension- Knox Lincoln Counties Office in Waldoboro. Register Here
Educators will be provided with activities and resources from the Signs of the Seasons program and the NASA-supported GLOBE project to explore Maine species, their life cycles, and seasonal changes. Phenology (the study of the timing of recurring life cycle events) documents nature’s calendar, when birds build their nests, tree buds burst, and foliage changes color. Phenology is also a leading indicator of our changing climate, and observing it allows students opportunities for hands-on, outdoor learning experiences that build deeper connections to their local environment. Observations can occur on school campuses, community parks, and just about any convenient location that can be accessed throughout the school year. Activities support student learning, and are fun STEAM experiences for all ages! Participants will practice making phenology observations, and leave with the tools and knowledge needed to implement activities in their school/community.
Participating educators will receive a $75 stipend, mileage reimbursement, dinner, contact hours and activity resources.
~
Connected Learning Ecosystems
Are you a librarian, after school educator, museum or nature center educator, 4-H staff or volunteer, or classroom teacher looking to deepen your STEM programming and offerings?
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), 4-H, Maine State Libraries, Wabanaki Youth in Science, and Gateway Community Services, with funding from NASA, are looking to grow and support Connected Learning Ecosystems (CLE) across Maine. CLEs will be a space for communities of educators and learning facilitators to work together to build a climate and data literate generation, with the knowledge and skills needed to address the challenges that face us!
CLE members will work together to enhance their own understanding of climate, data, and a range of STEM skills and knowledge that kids need. This community will work together to engage kids all over Maine in place-based, locally relevant investigations of ecosystems and climate change, connecting formal and informal learning spaces. Educators across all these spaces have so much to share with one another in support of their own professional learning and the learning of the youth they work with. All the project partners are excited to help forge new connections.
The project team will offer a range of events and opportunities for educator networking and professional learning. In addition, CLE members will be supported to devise events and regular meeting structures based on community member needs and interest. Early conversations will focus on meet-up and professional learning needs and interests of the group.
Membership Includes:
- A small participation stipend
- Reimbursement for mileage to in-person events
- Connections with regional and statewide communities of peers working together to enhance STEM learning for Maine Youth
- Connections with supportive and engaged project team that includes staff from institutions from Maine to California
Express interest in being part of a CLE HERE.
If you have any questions, email Molly at [email protected].
Self-Paced Professional Learning Opportunities:
LabVenture Professional Learning Module:
Educators build knowledge of climate and ecosystem change and the components of data and science inquiry that help us investigate those changes through a four part module (each part will take 60-90 minutes). This work features local datasets that add to the story of climate driven ecosystem change in the Gulf of Maine and connects these local stories to global patterns. Check out the module here.