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 Middle School Cohort Applications
We are no longer accepting applications for 2012-2013

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; all other positions have been filled.

More information for these positions can be found here.

Grade Nine Program Update: EarthComm Selected for 2012-2013 Pilot
After an extensive review process, the Grade 9 Task Force unveiled its report on the candidate sets of instructional materials at a meeting of MainePSP teachers and administrators on Thursday, May 10. For a copy of the full report (including three-page Executive Summary), please contact the PSP .  After the presentation, district groups discussed the evidence provided by the task force, explored the pros and cons of EarthComm and Foundation Science: Earth Science, and considered which resources could serve the district’s students well.  The MainePSP Leadership Team met on May 15 and selected EarthComm for implementation in the fall of 2012 based on the G9TF report and feedback from districts. Participation in the 2012-2013 Grade 9 Cohort is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding and Grade 9 Cohort Application will be accepted through May 31, 2012.  MainePSP teachers are also invited to apply for the 2012 Teachers-in-Residence program; the application is available here.

• May 17 – Ellsworth collaborative at HCTC (directions)
• May 24 – RSU20 collaborative at Searsport District H.S.
• May 31 – Bangor collaborative at UTC (directions)

Maine PSP Collaboratives will resume in September.

Conferences (by invitation):

• The 2nd Annual Maine Physical Sciences Partnership Summit
  May 18-19, 2012
  Point Lookout Resort & Conference Center, Lincolnville, 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”

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  Michael Wittmann, Associate Professor of Physics, leading a session of the Orono Physical Sciences Collaborative

  UMaine Partnering with Public Schools on $12.3 Million Grant to Redesign Science Curriculum, UMaine Press Release, 9/2/2010

• Maine schools get physical science grant, Bangor Daily News, 9/2/10