SMART Institute Featured on WABI
WABI (Channel 5) reported on the University of Maine’s Stormwater Management Research Team (SMART) Institute, a three-day program that focuses on creating innovative solutions to environmental problems related to stormwater management. About 100 students and teacher from high schools around the state participated in the program that aims to engage a diverse group of students and teachers in training for the implementation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in their schools while addressing an important environmental issue. Throughout the conference, students took part in hands-on projects led by STEM professionals in areas such as engineering design, science, computer modeling and information technology to monitor and map water quality. “It’s really cool because we are actually doing something that will affect our community. To be part of something that is groundbreaking and going to make a difference,” said Sarah Montenbeau, a junior at Traip Academy in Kittery. Cary James, chairman of the science department at Bangor High School, said students are learning about a variety of topics, including science and engineering, technology, and mathematics. “Someone made the comment yesterday that they’re used to being lectured, and this is as far as you can get from that,” James said. On Wednesday, students took water samples from the Stillwater River, WABI reported. “And we’re analyzing whether it’s healthy to drink; whether it’s healthy for fish to live in,” said Takquan Parks, a senior at Bangor High School.