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.
In the spring of 2015, EnviroLogix scientist (and technical support supervisor) Jamie Welch spoke with 7th grade students in Portland about GMOs. He led students through labs where they tested plants and seeds for the presence of GMOs using EnviroLogix GMO testing strips.
Thank you to Ms. Lea for fostering an environment of hands-on learning and discovery in her classroom. It was a pleasure to share our love of science with your students! To view more photos of Jamie’s day at Lincoln Middle School, click here.