MaineESP receives 2015 Philip Marcoux Award
The Maine Elementary Sciences Partnership (MaineESP) received the 2015 Philip Marcoux Award from the Maine Science Teachers Association (MSTA) at its annual conference in Gardiner on Oct. 9.
The award recognizes a science education professional or partnership that makes continuous and enduring contributions to science education; demonstrates capacity for creating and implementing successful science education-related activities; shows creative approaches to improving student achievement in science; and makes a permanent contribution to MSTA by integrating with national initiatives, promoting the science education profession, or providing training and resources to other science education professionals.
MaineESP is a partnership among the Maine Center for Research in STEM Education at the University of Maine (RiSE Center) and more than 50 school districts in the state working together to strengthen elementary science education. The partnership leverages an innovative model of teacher leadership to share professional development across Maine.
Science Resource Partners are selected from each of the more than 100 partnering schools to join a regional and statewide professional learning community with STEM and STEM education faculty from UMaine. Partners receive preparation and support to lead study groups in their schools about research-supported and innovative instructional strategies for science teaching.
Now in its third year, MaineESP has provided ongoing professional development for more than 1,000 teachers across the state, supporting hands-on and engaging science education for more than 15,000 children in Maine classrooms.