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S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 / W O R K F O R M E 57 ily by federal grants, with some contributions from school dis- tricts and private donors, received $1.35 million in February from the National Science Foundation for a program to engage students in coastal research projects to build data literacy and career compe- tency in economically challenged coastal communities. "Strong preparation in STEM keeps many career options open for Maine students, careers in problem solving and innovation that are often the launching point for new small Maine businesses," says McKay. Growing interest in STEM Investing in STEM training for Maine's youngest generations makes sense on many levels, says Ruth Kermish-Allen, executive director of the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, an Augusta nonprofit offering professional development for educators. STEM education offers the type of hands-on experiential learning that kids love and can relate to in their own lives, which builds empowerment. In addition, Maine's natural- resources-based economies, from forestry to biological sciences, rely on STEM training, and educating the emerging workforce about all of the opportunities STEM careers offer will keep Maine competi- tive with its neighboring states, McKay says. While Maine is a bit behind the curve in STEM training compared to some other parts of the country, it's making up for lost time. Northeastern University's Roux Institute in Portland has a range of STEM programs and, with a $200 million in funding on which to build, is quickly ex- panding. In the realm of lower and mid- dle schools, the Maine Mathemat- ics and Science Alliance received a $1 million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation to expand computer science education. The three-year grant has a goal of training 100 elementary and middle school educators to give 10,000 rural students access to a foundational computer science education experience. Programs like this one are critical in creating equity in Maine's educational system, says Kermish-Allen, since many rural schools don't have the tax base to include much in the way of STEM programing in their budgets. Higher ed partnerships are leading to creative projects all over the state. REV Up the Fun provides STEM activities to children through Maine Department of Education Summer Food Service Program sites across the state. P H O T O / C O U R T E S Y O F A M E R I C O R P V I S T A P R O G R A M T e c h n o l o g y AmeriCorps's VISTA program offers a range of STEM training, including programs for younger age groups. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L LO W I N G PAG E ยป