I really want to make science, conservation and stewardship education relevant for my kids.
– Lisa Belanger
Collaborating with so many people who are passionate about teaching science has been a great way to refocus on what really matters when teaching students science. It’s not all about meeting standards and taking tests to meet national guidelines. It’s about getting students outside and being a part of the process. It’s about getting students excited about learning.
– VitalVenture Teacher, 2009
I loved being able to talk to other teachers from around the state about how they teach science.
– VitalVenture Teacher, 2009
I wanted to help add to something in my profession. It allowed me to collaborate, listen, and join a group of dynamic people who love kids and love teaching science.
– Andrew Bard
I wanted to be a voice for place-based outdoor learning that engages the senses and emotions.
– VitalVenture Teacher, 2009
Working with so many excellent teachers from around the state, sharing ideas and experiences, expanded my own teaching “toolkit” and made me feel part of a larger community of educators committed to making science education meaningful and exciting for our students.
– Jennifer Stanbro
It was a wonderful opportunity to share my experiences so far in teaching about watershed systems and also to learn new ways to support students in learning about their local watershed.
– Tamara Whitmore
Contributors
From Left to Right: Front: Katie Flavin, Sandy Levecque, Mary Olsen, Sarah Carlson, Sue Kistenmacher, Barbara Fortier, Connie Burns, Lisa Belanger, Andrew Bard Middle: Randee-Sue Allen, Sandy Roderick, Kelli Crosby, Pam Mallard, Kristen Arbour, Gayle Bodge, Jennifer Stanbro Back: Sarah Morrisseau, Kelli Miller, Greig Parr, Jessica Sirois, Mark Koenig, Donna Weigel, Scott Carson, Gregory Carter, Sarah Kirn, Meredyth Eufemia, Beth Bisson Missing: Alan Lishness, Justine Glynn, Bridie McGreavy, Christine Goulet, Danielle Fisher Barschdorf, Eleanor Merrick, Heather Bird, Lorna Henley, Molly MacLean, Sally Connolly, Snow Ross, Tamara Whitmore
VitalVenture is made possible by the support, knowledge, experience, and dedication of many people and organizations.
NOAA
VitalVenture is funded through the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Bay Watershed Education Training (B-WET) program. B-WET is an environmental education program that promotes locally relevant, experiential learning in the K-12 environment. B-WET funds programs that promote Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) envisions a scientifically literate public. Working towards this vision, we create opportunities for teachers and students to engage in authentic science learning and teaching in meaningful, connected ways. VitalVenture enables GMRI to deepen existing programs and to extend Maine middle school students’ science learning experience.
Maine Sea Grant
Maine Sea Grant is GMRI’s principal partner in VitalVenture. Maine Sea Grant is a state-federal partnership supported by the University of Maine and NOAA. It promotes sustainable use, conservation, and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources through scientific research, education, and public outreach in Maine’s coastal communities. Watershed Experiences contributed by Maine Sea Grant are based, in part, on the Penobscot River Watershed Program, a collaborative project of Maine Sea Grant, the University of Maine Senator George J. Mitchell Center, and the Penobscot River Restoration Trust, working in partnership with Old Town Elementary School and the City of Old Town, Maine.
Maine Teachers & Environmental Educators
VitalVenture engaged 31 Maine teachers and environmental educators in a fun, collaborative, and professionally rewarding curriculum development process. Teachers contributed Watershed Experiences and best practices. They advised our website design process and curriculum dissemination strategy.
VitalVenture Staff:
Alan Lishness (alan@gmri.org): GMRI, Chief Innovation Officer
Beth Bisson (beth.bisson@maine.edu): Maine Sea Grant, Education Coordinator
Gayle Bodge (gayle@gmri.org): GMRI, Science Learning Specialist
Justine Glynn (justine@gmri.org): GMRI, Learning Systems Manager
Katie Flavin (katie@gmri.org): GMRI, Educator
Meredyth Eufemia (meredyth@gmri.org): GMRI, Educator
Sarah Kirn (sarah@gmri.org): GMRI, Vital Signs Program Manager
Sarah Morrisseau (sarahm@gmri.org): GMRI, Vital Signs
VitalVenture Teachers & Environmental Educators:
This “vital venture” has been a gratifying experience for us all thanks in large part to the Maine teachers we had the privilege to work with. These motivated, dedicated teachers make a difference everyday in their classrooms. We thank them for their many contributions to this project that will in turn enhance their own practice and that of teachers across Maine. Their efforts promise to influence many teachers, students, and communities in years to come.
Andrew Bard (abard@lewistonpublicschools.org): Farwell Elementary School, grade 5 (7 years teaching)
Barbara Fortier: Biddeford Middle School, grade 8 (10 years teaching)
Bridie McGreavy (bridie@leamaine.org): Lakes Environmental Association (10 years as in informal watershed/environmental educator)
Christine Goulet, Scarborough Middle School, grades 6,7,8 (7 years teaching)
Connie Burns: Mahoney Middle School, Teacher Librarian (23 years teaching)
Danielle Fisher Barschdorf (dbarschdorf@nya.org): North Yarmouth Academy, grades 6 & 7 (8 years teaching)
Donna Weigel (dweigel@wocsd.org): Wells Junior High, grade 5 (42 years teaching)
Eleanor Merrick: Willard Elementary School, teacher leader
Greg Carter (Cartergr@spsd.org): Mahoney Middle School, grade 8 (6 years teaching)
Greig Parr (gparr@rsu10.org): Meroby Elementary School, grade 5 (37 years teaching)
Heather Bird: Trenton Elementary School, grade 4 (8 years teaching)
Jennifer Stanbro (stanbrje@spsd.org): South Portland Schools, Teacher Librarian (8 years teaching)
Jessica Sirois (jsirois@rsu10.org): Meroby Elementary School, grade 5 (1 year teaching)
Kelli Crosby (kcrosby@scarborough.k12.me.us): Scarborough Middle School, grade 6 (8 years teaching)
Kelli Miller: Line Elementary School, grade 5
Kristen Arbour (karbour@myfairpoint.net): Farwell Elementary School, grade 6 (8 years teaching)
Lisa Belanger: Mountain Valley Middle School
Lorna Henley (Lornah@roadrunner.com): Biddeford Intermediate School, grade 5 (22 years teaching)
Mark Koenig (mkoenig@sad11.k12.me.us): Gardiner Regional Middle School, grade 6 (22 years teaching)
Mary Olsen: Jefferson Village School, grades 5/6 (18 years teaching)
Molly MacLean: UMO College Success Program educator
Pam Mallard: Windham Middle School, grade 7
Randee-Sue Allen (rsallen@scarborough.k12.me.us): Scarborough Middle School, grades 6,7,8 (14 years teaching)
Sally Connolly: Cape Elizabeth Middle School, grade 5 (15 years teaching)
Sandra Levecque (slevecque@biddschool.org): Biddeford Intermediate School, grade 5 (9 years teaching)
Sandy Roderick (sandra_roderick@sad17.k12.me.us): Oxford Elementary School, grade 6 (35 years teaching)
Sarah Carlson (scarlson@windham.k12.me.us): Windham Middle School, grade 8 (8 years teaching)
Scott Carson (scarson@msad35.net): Marshwood Middle School, grade 6 (4 years teaching)
Snow Ross: Trenton Elementary School, grades 4&5
Sue Kistenmacher (kistensm@myfairpoint.net): Wiscasset Middle School, grades 7 & 8 (25 years teaching)
Tamara Whitmore (tamara@watershedfriends.com): Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed, (6 years as an informal watershed/environmental educator)