Photos from the CSforME Kickoff, October 28-29, 2025

Kicking Off Our First NSF Project: A Refreshingly Inspiring Start

October’s kickoff event for our new NSF-funded project felt like one of those rare moments when you can sense something exciting beginning to take shape. Since this is Educate Maine’s first National Science Foundation award, there was a real sense of eagerness in the room, as well as plenty of curiosity and anticipation about what comes next.

The event opened with a warm welcome and a reminder of why this project matters. Securing NSF funding is a big deal, of course, but what stood out was the team’s shared passion for expanding computer science opportunities in rural Maine high schools. This grant gives us a chance to reach more students with areas of computer science they may not even know exist yet. It was genuinely uplifting to feel that collective energy and to see how much value people place on the work happening in our schools and communities.

We were presented with clear objectives and a thoughtful timeline. As we dug into each component, it became clear how intentionally the project was designed to bring together educators, industry partners, community organizations, and researchers. It didn’t feel like “just another grant. You could tell a great deal of care went into crafting a vision that truly connects all these groups.

For many of us, the Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) model was new, so we spent time understanding what it means in practice. Under this model, classroom teachers are involved from the very beginning, working alongside university researchers to identify problems, develop interventions, and study their impact. It’s exciting to know teachers will test new CS-integrated lessons in their own classrooms and then reflect on those experiences with the team. Ultimately, we hope this work will lead to high-quality lessons and resources that help educators across Maine incorporate computer science and computational thinking into many different subjects. 

Throughout the day, a variety of perspectives helped bring the project into focus. Hearing educators describe what implementation looks like on the ground, listening to partners share workforce needs, and seeing how the research supports these goals made the project feel both practical and motivating. It’s inspiring to watch different parts of Maine’s education ecosystem come together with a shared purpose. 

Looking back, I’m grateful I had the chance to be part of the kickoff. It brought the whole team together, set a hopeful tone, and left everyone genuinely excited to begin the work. 

It’s not every day you leave a meeting feeling energized, but this one definitely had that effect. As we move forward and continue recruiting a few more people to round out the team, I’m excited to be part of this journey, not only for my own learning, but for the opportunity to help bring CS/CT education to more rural Maine schools. We hope our efforts will lead to more teachers integrating CS/CT lessons, more confident and curious STEM learners, and a stronger connection between education and Maine’s future workforce. If the kickoff was any indication, we’re in for a meaningful and memorable experience.

Sarah Krause

Math/STEAM Teacher at Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln, ME