STEM

Children participating in a June Jamboree activtiy.

Annual 4-H June Jamboree planned for June 13 at Blue Hill Fairgrounds

BLUE HILL, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Hancock County is hosting the annual 4-H June Jamboree on June 13, 2026, at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds, 223 Ellsworth Road. This event, a beloved tradition for 4-H members and the wider community, promises a weekend of hands-on learning, outdoor adventures, and family-friendly fun.  4-H […]

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Morgan B fishing in a lake

Maine 4-H’er wins national AI challenge with fish-friendly culvert chatbot

Orono, Maine — When people think of artificial intelligence and conservation, they don’t always imagine the two intersecting. But for one Kennebec County 4-H member, the overlap has opened doors to innovation and earned national recognition. This summer, Morgan B, a member of the Delta Prime Robotics 4-H Club, won a national 4-H AI Community […]

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youth sitting in a circle in a forest clearing

Maine to pilot Outdoor School for All

Orono, Maine — For fourth through eighth grade students in Maine, the classroom is about to expand far beyond four walls — at no cost to local school districts. Thanks to new funding and legislation, UMaine Extension is launching the Outdoor School for All program, which will open doors for thousands of children to explore […]

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caregiver working with youth on STEM activities

UMaine Extension 4-H to offer Family STEM Club in Lisbon Falls

Lisbon Falls, Maine — 4-H Youth Development Program in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties, a part of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, will offer two, 4-week Family STEM Club sessions this fall at the UMaine Extension office, 24 Main Street in Lisbon Falls.  Families will engage in hands-on STEM projects together, with opportunities for adults to […]

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youth arts and crafts

UMaine Extension 4-H offers hands-on workshops during summer learning series

Orono, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will offer its hands-on virtual summer learning series July 7–August 11. The series presents more than 20 workshops on a wide variety of topics to fit a broad range of interests. Originally launched in 2020 to provide additional educational opportunities for youth during the pandemic, the […]

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4-H youth and goats at 2024 June Jamboree

Hancock County 4-H announces youth activities for annual June Jamboree

Blue Hill, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Hancock County is hosting the annual 4-H June Jamboree from 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. on June 14, 2025 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds, 223 Ellsworth Road. This event, a beloved tradition for 4-H members and the wider community, promises a weekend of hands-on learning, outdoor adventures […]

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students at Cave Hill School identifying ticks

Adult volunteers needed to help 4-H youth understand ticks

Orono, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension is seeking adult volunteers in Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc and York counties to become 4-H Tick Project Mentors. Mentors will guide youth in learning about ticks and tick safety using engaging hands-on activities offered through the 4-H Tick Project. “Understanding ticks is crucial for both human and environmental […]

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a potato in the shape of a heart held up before a field

Volunteers needed to lead the Food for Thought 4-H STEM Challenge 

Lisbon Falls, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will hold a Food for Thought 4-H STEM Challenge workshop for volunteers from 3-5 p.m. on January 16 and 30, 2025 at the Androscoggin/Sagadahoc office, 24 Main Street, Lisbon Falls.  This workshop is geared toward adults who want to learn more about how to help youth […]

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4-H students exploring an aquatic touch tank while touring the Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR) facility

New UMaine program works with Extension to enhance blue economy through education, outreach and tuition assistance

In her first year of full-time employment with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Leah McCluskey taught youth how to make miniature lava lamps. She led the students through an experiment that combines sodium alginate, a compound derived from seaweed, and calcium chloride inside a test tube to form the familiar funky bubbles. The experiment gave her a chance to talk to students about seaweed aquaculture in Maine, sharing why it is important to the state economy and in what ways extractions from the plant can be used.

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