We were honored to sponsor the 2nd annual Portland Public Schools STEM Expo last week. With more than 60 exhibits by students, universities and local businesses who work in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, the event was a celebration of learning and exploration. A few of the student exhibits are featured in the video clip below (produced by the Portland Public Schools Education Station), and you can view more photos of the event on our Facebook page and Twitter.
The Portland Public Schools, in partnership with EnviroLogix, will hold the Second Annual Portland Public Schools’ STEM Exposition on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the University of Southern Maine’s Sullivan gymnasium in Portland. At the event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Portland Public Schools students, local businesses, and post-secondary schools will share their learning in STEM – science, technology, engineering and math. The public is invited to attend during visiting hours, which run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“The Portland Public Schools is proud and excited to be holding its second annual STEM Expo,” said Portland Interim Superintendent Jeanne Crocker. “This year’s event will be even bigger and more inspirational than last year’s, as Portland’s public schools and post-secondary schools and local businesses come together again to show how we are innovating in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Thank you to EnviroLogix for partnering with us for a second year to help showcase our students’ STEM learning, which is so important in preparing them for 21st century jobs.”
“EnviroLogix is pleased to be able to once again partner with the Portland Public Schools in this second annual STEM Expo,” said John Markin, President and CEO of EnviroLogix, a Portland-based company that develops and manufactures innovative detection technology for every link in the worldwide food production chain. “We are proud to be a part of opening students’ eyes to the exciting world of STEM possibilities by showing them specific examples of applied innovation that exist right here in their backyard. Also, EnviroLogix is a business that is built on technology, so we see the Expo as an investment not only in the community but also in potential future employees.”
Portland’s public elementary, middle and high schools will be among the more than 40 exhibitors at the event. The students will get to experience the role of teacher and learner alongside adults from the community as they share their experiences and work.
Post-secondary exhibitors will include USM; the University of Maine and the university’s 4-H STEM Ambassadors; the Maine College of Art; the University of New England; and St. Joseph’s College. Business exhibitors will include EnviroLogix, Engineers Without Borders; Kepware Technologies; Learning Works; Microsoft; and the Portland Public Library. About 1,500 Portland Public Schools students will be touring the exhibits throughout the day.
We are very proud to acknowledge the efforts of our employees who participated in the 2015 Maine Cancer Foundation Tri for a Cure! Cancer is the #1 killer in the state of Maine, and the Tri for a Cure is a unique event because all the money raised stays right here in Maine to help foster prevention programs, increase cancer screening, and improve patient outcomes.
For EnviroLogix Scientist Laura Brown (pictured on the right), this was her fifth year of involvement with the Tri for a Cure. Every year, she is inspired by the hundreds of women who participate because their lives have been touched by cancer in some way, and many are cancer survivors themselves. “The Tri is such an extraordinary event, because it is a huge celebration that brings the volunteers, participants and the community together,” Laura explains; “it is our collective determination to beat cancer that fuels so many amazing athletes who take months to train and fundraise.”
When fellow Scientist Brenda McMackin (pictured on the left) heard that Laura wanted to do the Tri again last year but didn’t want to do the whole thing alone, an alliance was created. Laura is an avid cyclist (and recently completed the Trek Across Maine), and Brenda swims every day at lunchtime, so they asked Gretchen Wight, Quality Assurance Manager, (pictured center) to be the team runner. The three women formed a relay team and called themselves the Tri Amigas. They successfully completed the triathalon and were inspired by the hundreds of women that showed up to show their support for this continued fight for a cure. Gretchen says “it was amazing to see so many women of all ages racing for important people in their lives.”
Brenda agrees, and added that “all of us are touched by cancer. We all have family or friends who have survived or succumbed to cancer. This year, my community lost a very special man to pancreatic cancer. He was a coach, Scout leader, church volunteer and always available to help someone out. It motivated me to know that I was contributing to a cause that might be able to save a good person like him with the money raised to fund research.”
Kate Baltren, HR Administrator, wasn’t feeling ready to compete but knew that she wanted to support all the amazing women who were. She donated her time as a Tri volunteer and directed traffic during the event. Kate has volunteered with cancer research organizations for the last 5 years and says cancer has had a significant impact on her family. She was inspired by this all-women event, and says “being out on the course, seeing them competing and knowing the incredible sum of money they had raised in our area for cancer research was amazing. It was a great experience and I am looking forward to doing it again next year!”
EnviroLogix has assembled a team to join the 3 day/180 mile bike ride from Sunday River to Belfast known as the Trek Across Maine. In the past 30 years the Trek Across Maine has raised over $22M for the American Lung Association. The event takes place June 19-21 and is the largest fundraising event of its kind in the country!
EnviroLogix’ team, appropriately named the Science Spinners, is committed to raising awareness about preventing lung disease and promoting lung health. In addition to training for the ride each team member is raising funds to support the American Lung Association’s efforts. If you’d like to learn more about Trek Across Maine or make a donation please click on the team name.
Thank you for your support!
Pictured are 3 of the 6 Science Spinners members, setting out from EnviroLogix on a recent training ride together. From left to right: Lenity Larrabee, Dean Layton and John Markin.