The University of Maine - Maine Physical Sciences Partnership

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Welcome to Maine Physical Sciences Partnership

A partnership bringing together nearly 50 rural Maine schools, the University of Maine, three Maine non-profits with expertise in science education, and science and technology leaders at the Maine Department of Education to target the teaching and learning of physical sciences in grades 6-9 and the preparation of science teachers at the University of Maine.

Collaborative selection, refinement, and implementation of a coherent, research-supported curricula
Ongoing intensive professional development requisite for strong implementation
Preparation of future teachers from the University and other Maine colleges and universities through professional activities as part of the curriculum selection process, professional development, and implementation, and as teaching partners in the classroom
Refinement of university-level instruction through reform and implementation of a Learning Assistant program

2012-2013 Maine PSP Cohort Applications
Now Available!
Due Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Mailing List
Please click here if you would like to be added to (or removed from) the PSP mailing list. You can choose our paper and/or email options. The mailings consist of postcards, occasional newsletters, and announcements.

Positions and Hiring
At this time, we are in the process of interviewing and hiring for several Postdoctoral positions, as well as for a new professional position - Placement and Professional Development Coordinator.

More information for these positions can be found here.

The 9th Grade Task Force

The 9th Grade Task Force will be meeting in the fall and early spring of 2011-2012 in order to evaluate a series of instructional resources and recommend a set of resources for use in the 9th grade at Physical Science Partnership schools. Initially, meetings will take place on weeknights and will focus on the selection and refinement of Key Ideas that must be included in these resources as well as the refinement of an evaluation tool. After learning how to use the evaluation tool, members of the Task Force will work in smaller groups to evaluate the instructional resources under consideration. Later, the Task Force will synthesize the small group findings and make a recommendation to the Physical Science Partnership.

Task Force participants will receive stipends for their time and food will be provided at official Task Force meetings.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Daniel Capps or MacKenzie Stetzer.

Poster Presentation at the PhysTEC Conference Summarizing Current Work of the Partnership

Upcoming dates:

Collaboratives – Spring semester
For a calendar view, click here.

Feb. 16 – collaborative meeting for Bucksport at Bucksport High School (Directions)
Mar. 1 – Bangor collaborative meeting at UTC (directions)
Mar. 8 – Downeast collaborative meeting at HCTC in Ellsworth (directions)
Mar. 15 – RSU20 collaborative meeting – location TBD
Mar. 22 – Bangor collaborative meeting at UTC (directions)
Mar. 29 – Bucksport collaborative at Bucksport HS (Directions)
Apr. 5 – Bangor collaborative at UTC (directions)
Apr. 12 – Ellsworth collaborative at HCTC in Ellsworth (directions)
Apr. 26 – RSU20 collaborative (place TBD)
May 3 – Bucksport collaborative at Bucksport HS
May 10 – Bangor collaborative at UTC
May 17 – Ellsworth collaborative at HCTC
May 24 – RSU20 collaborative (location TBD)
May 31 – Bangor collaborative at UTC
June 7 – Bucksport collaborative at Bucksport HS

Conferences (by invitation):

The 2nd Annual Maine Physical Sciences Partnership Summit
May 18-19, 2012
Point Lookout Resort & Conference Center, Northport, Maine
The 2nd Annual Maine Physical Sciences Partnership Summer Academy
Monday, June 25 – Friday, June 29, 2012
The Schoodic Education and Research Center, Winter Harbor, Maine”

Other links