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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 23 M AY 1 5 , 2 0 1 7 F O C U S E D U C AT I O N / T R A I N I N G Clement says he felt like he was talking scientist- to-scientist with Paulson, and wasn't afraid to ask detailed questions because he regularly has the chance to observe water conditions around the lobsters he catches, most recently 30 to 40 miles off shore. "Science is correlated with the industry," Clement says. "One thing, like pH levels or water temperatures, can aff ect the lobsters, and that aff ects us in real life." rough other programs in school and at Acadia Park, he learned that rockweed absorbs carbon, and that helps reduce the pH levels in the water, which in turn helps the lobsters. "I want to branch out to do seaweed harvesting and cultivation," he says. at, along with the weld- ing that can be applied in any industry, can help him diversify his future career. Perhaps as impor- tantly, he plans to keep his skills in Maine. Another thing Clement says he's learned from both hauling lobster and interacting with scientists is that scientists and fi shermen don't confer enough to make important fi sheries management decisions. Take the recent eff ort by the New England Fishery Management Council to have 161 square miles closed to commercial fi shing off of Mount Desert Rock and Outer Schoodic Ridge to preserve deep- sea coral in the area. " ey could talk to industry and maybe have certain parcels but not the whole thing closed. Or regulate how many traps are in the area," he says. "Schoodic Ridge is near where I fi sh. Some areas are better for lobster than others. ere are people [like me] working out there every day who could help with decisions to protect biodiversity." Clement's teacher, Walsh, says she may be inter- ested in the upcoming Second Century program for herself. Right now, she and two other teachers at Sumner work with Acadia's scientists to help build the Pathways curricula for Sumner in both the marine trades and agriculture. en the teachers, who don't specialize in science, can use the informa- tion to educate their students. "I know science in general," says Walsh. "But I don't know how to teach it." e school also works with Schoodic to attend its science programs, where Sumner students can get hands-on science experience, like studying nearby Baker Hill, a preserve in Sullivan where the students deepened their knowledge of forestry by taking soil samples and doing other tasks. "We take what is real in their world and turn it into science and other courses," says Walsh. "So they can see if businesses are sustainable. ey'll know that with warmer waters they must move up the coast." Sumner also is working to embellish what the students already know from their daily work outside school and add skills. One example, Walsh says, is the eight marine trade students who will be working to get SCUBA certifi cation through OceansWide, a nonprofi t educational organization in Newcastle. " at is a marketable skill to have," she says. " ey could do more with remotely operated vehi- cles. If students are 18 to 20 and can fi sh, weld and SCUBA dive, they can support themselves." She adds that the science courses at Sumner, as well as the short courses at Schoodic and interac- tions via Skype with scientists like Paulson, add up to important requirements of the school: students need to know how to ask a question, defi ne a prob- lem and analyze and interpret data. "Our goal is to have a core group of kids who oth- erwise might not have graduated from high school, and turn that around so they become key players in Hancock and Washington counties," Walsh says. "We hope we're making qualifi ed, productive citizens in the local workforce who are going to stay [in the area]." Catching smaller fi sh Like Walsh, Cynthia Lambert, a teacher at Trenton Elementary School, says she'd consider taking the Second Century course for teachers. Meanwhile, she has her students participate in activities like the Schoodic Education Adventure, which is a three-day program for fourth through eighth graders to interact with rangers to study soil samples for temperature, type of soil and other factors. But teaching science is a challenge, especially at the elementary school level, and that in turn impacts middle and high school teachers, who are getting students who are behind in the sciences. "I think a lot of teachers would benefi t from that program [Second Century]," Lambert says. e school district has specialists in math and literacy, but no one focused on science. She adds, "I try to make my kids understand the importance of science because they are all citizens of the world. " L V, Mainebiz senior writer / content specialist, can be reached at @ . and @LV Don't underestimate the impact a properly designed, installed and maintained mechanical system can have on your people and processes. Enjoy longer leases, happier tenants, more productive employees and consistent products. It's worth the investment in the long run. To learn more call 207.883.1473 or email info@aaaenergy.com AAAENERGY.COM HEATING AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERATION MAINTENANCE DESIGN/BUILD AUBURN, NH 603.626.4884 PITTSFIELD, ME 207.487.3706 SCARBOROUGH, ME 207.883.1473 Proper Maintenance Extends Equipment Life

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