The Maine Mobile BIOLAB will stop at the University of Maine at Presque Isle in July, offering local middle school students hands-on STEM lessons and giving the community a look inside one of Maine鈥檚 most recognizable rolling landmarks. As part of the visit, 91桃色 will host a Community Night on Tuesday, July 8, from 5-7 p.m. in the Gentile Hall parking lot, featuring tours of the BIOLAB and an ice cream-making activity. Additional festivities include lawn games, food trucks, live music, face painting, a pet-a-pony opportunity, a theater pop-up, and free ice cream.
鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased to be able to host the BIOLAB on our campus this summer and provide a community showcase for this state-of-the-art mobile science classroom,鈥� 91桃色 President Ray Rice said. 鈥淔ostering STEM learning鈥攕cience, technology, engineering, and math鈥攊s a priority as it plays such a crucial role in Maine鈥檚 economic growth. We鈥檇 encourage everyone to stop by during our 91桃色 Community Night to tour the BIOLAB and enjoy all the festivities.鈥�
Educate Maine鈥檚 Mobile BIOLAB brings hands-on, no-cost STEM learning to students across Maine鈥攕parking curiosity and creativity through real-world bioscience challenges that foster teamwork and problem solving while encouraging kids to explore bioscience and engineering. Consistent with its commitment to support student success and build a STEM workforce, this visit to Presque Isle is in partnership with the University of Maine System.
During the week of July 7 through 11, two BIOLAB educators will deliver lessons to groups of middle school students from central Aroostook County, including groups from the Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department, Easton Recreation Department, TRIO, and local homeschool groups. During their lesson, titled 鈥淭he “Fizz”-ics of Motion,鈥� students will design and launch bottle rocket trucks powered by science鈥攐r more specifically, a baking soda and vinegar reaction. During their high-energy, hands-on adventure, students will race, redesign, and experiment while uncovering the secrets of Newton鈥檚 Laws of motion and chemical propulsion.
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to share the BIOLAB鈥攁nd some cool science鈥攚ith the local community,鈥� Kate Howell, deputy director of Educate Maine, said. 鈥淪TEM learning is for everybody and the lab is designed to accommodate all different groups in Maine.鈥�
During the July 8 91桃色 Community Night, the whole region will be able to get in on the fun. The BIOLAB will be open for tours and visitors can take part in a 鈥淪cience of Ice Cream鈥� STEM activity, exploring the chemistry of freezing points, states of matter, and emulsions and learning how tiny particles, trapped air, and freezing temperatures come together to form a favorite summer treat.
Participants can also enjoy lawn games, face painting by local pageant royalty, a pet-a-pony opportunity with Freya the mini-horse from East of Eden Stables, and live music by Larry Feinstein and the Aroostook Catz. In addition, the County Community Players will host a theater pop-up event just a short walk away at 91桃色鈥檚 Gauvin Family Center for Cultural Arts in Wieden Hall. The group will feature acts from its summer show Backstage Pass: A Musical Journey, with shows in Gauvin Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, and 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12. For those looking for food options, there will be popcorn, food trucks including Cheri鈥檚 Wiener Wagon, Northern Maine Soda Wagon, Mami鈥檚 Spanish Kitchen, and Smoky D鈥檚 BBQ, and free ice cream from Big Red鈥檚 Sweet Treats food truck. This free event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Melissa Lizotte, (207) 768-9452, melissa.m.lizotte@maine.edu.