[MLTI-MS] Announcing State Science and Technology Specialist

[Juanita Deschambault]

To: MS & HS Science Teachers
Subject: Announcing State Science and Technology Specialist

The following letter introduces Anita Bernhardt, the Science and  
Technology Specialist for the Department of Education and provides  
important information about the first STEM (Science, Technology,  
Engineering, and Mathematics) Summit in Maine.

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL SCIENCE TEACHERS.




Dear Science Educators,

The purpose of my letter is twofold: to introduce myself as the State  
Science and Technology Specialist for the Maine Department of  
Education and to share information with you about efforts to focus  
greater attention on science and technology education.  In the last  
several months I have begun to meet with the PreK-Diploma educators,  
school administrators, higher education faculty, informal educators,  
professional organizations, research organizations and business  
partners that comprise the Maine science and technology community; I  
am excited by the energy and wisdom of these individuals in our  
State.  I am confident that, together, we have the knowledge and  
commitment to improve science and technology education for Maine  
students.

Collaboration and communication are critical.  Working together we  
can increase understanding of the teaching resources and expertise  
available throughout the State and raise public awareness of the  
importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the  
STEM areas) as preparation for our students for post-secondary  
education and career opportunities.

The Department of Education is a partner in the work to strengthen  
science and technology.  The following are examples of that work.
•	On January 24, 2008 the first Maine STEM Summit was held at the  
Augusta Civic Center and Governor Baldacci launched a STEM Initiative  
to strengthen learning in the STEM areas. (Informational Letter #32,  
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php? 
topic=edu_letters&id=44121&v=article)
•	A STEM website is being created that will serve as a statewide  
clearing-house for educator, parent, and student STEM resources.
•	A STEM fund will be developed to support business and education  
collaboration.
•	The Maine Department of Education, Maine Science Teachers  
Association,  Technology Education Association of Maine, and Maine  
Environmental Educators Association have joined together to collect  
information that will help these organizations better serve Maine  
educators.  Please take 60 seconds to fill out the brief electronic  
questionnaire by clicking on the link that follows.  We look forward  
to receiving your responses by February 28, 2008.	http:// 
www.maine.gov/education/lres/scitech/questionnaire.html
•	A Department of Education science and technology web page has been  
created with direct links to organizations and resources related to  
science and technology, including links to State and national  
standards and professional organizations.    You can access the web  
page at http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/scitech/

These first steps are important but they are just the first steps.  I  
will look for opportunities to bring external grants to Maine and  
help teachers in acquiring resources that will provide ongoing  
professional development to strengthen teacher understanding of PreK- 
Diploma science and technology content and pedagogy.  The research is  
clear - we improve student achievement when as educators we more  
fully understand the content we are teaching and utilize  
instructional approaches that apply the research and the body of  
knowledge related to student learning.

It has been my belief, in 24 years as a classroom educator, that “we  
are smarter as a group.”  I now bring that belief to my work here at  
the Department of Education.  I am eager to meet you, to hear your  
dreams and listen to your frustrations, and to help us to work  
together more effectively, grow smarter, and better serve Maine  
students.


Sincerely,

Anita Bernhardt
Science and Technology Specialist and Regional Representative
Maine Department of Education
anita.bernhardt at maine.gov
http://www.maine.gov/education/lres/scitech/

Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
(207) 624-6835
(207) 624-6821  FAX




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