NEWS | U.S. Navy gives Biddeford students expanded learning opportunities

A $1 million grant from the Department of War provides expanded learning opportunities for middle school students in Biddeford and Saco

By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department

Middle school students in Biddeford and Saco now have the opportunity to discover whether their future might be in engineering, advanced manufacturing, automation, design or the skilled trades –years before they need to choose a career path.

New stem+M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math + Manufacturing) labs at both Biddeford Middle School and Saco Middle School are complete, bringing professional-grade technology and hands-on career exploration directly into the middle school experience.

**BIDDEFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL** seventh-grader Theodore Pierson learns how to take measurements using a tape measure versus a ruler. | *Contributed photo*

The opportunity began when the U.S. Navy, Department of War approached the Biddeford School Department and Biddeford Regional Center of Technology about supporting a stem+M lab in Biddeford.

With Superintendent Jeremy Ray serving both the Biddeford and Saco school departments, the conversation quickly became an opportunity to bring the same investment in stem+M education to students in both communities.

Ray and district leaders worked with the U.S. Navy, the Department of War and regional partners to expand the initiative to both middle schools, ensuring that Saco students would also have access to the same hands-on learning, advanced technologies, and career-connected experiences available through this new program.

Together, the initiative represents $1 million in funding ($500,000 for each community), providing students with access to technology, equipment, materials, curriculum and resources designed to make learning tangible, creative and connected to the world beyond the classroom.

The timing is intentional.

Middle school is a critical period for career exploration. Students are beginning to recognize their strengths and interests, but many have had little opportunity to experience what careers in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and the trades actually involve.

**HANDS-ON LEARNING** | Saco Middle School’s stem+M Instructor Chrissy Davis (center) showing seventh-graders Jordyn Morong and Lauren Pahigian how to tighten and loosen various screws using Allen wrenches. | *Contributed photo*

The stem+M program gives them that opportunity before they begin making high school course selections.

Through collaborative, project-based experiences, students can explore six areas, including Tools and Measurement; Engineering and Design; Additive and Subtractive, Materials and Processes; Automation; and Structural Science. Along the way, students develop problem-solving, teamwork, design and technical skills while discovering the types of learning that excite them.

“Reaching students in middle school gives us an important opportunity to spark curiosity and introduce them to careers they may not yet know exist,” said Allison Heider, stem+M president. “Biddeford and Saco stood out because of their shared commitment to expanding career exploration and creating meaningful pathways for students from middle school into high school, career and technical education, and ultimately the workforce.

“These stem+M labs allow students to learn by doing, to create, problem-solve and discover their own strengths while building skills that connect directly to high-demand careers.

“We are proud to invest in these two communities and help inspire the next generation of innovators, makers, and skilled professionals.”

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