NSB Donates $5,000 to Gulf of Maine Research Institute

PORTLAND—For 20 years, the transformative LabVenture program at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) in Portland has invited over 170,000 students to explore complex environmental questions and utilize the Gulf of Maine as a venue to show young people how our ecosystems, communities, and industries are impacted by ocean warming.

“In a rapidly changing and complex world, there is an increasing demand for STEM experts who can help develop solutions to local and global ocean challenges. LabVenture is an education program that helps meet that demand by providing Maine students with accessible, immersive STEM education which sparks their interest in science and equips them with the confidence, competence, and curiosity needed to engage in discovery,” said Maeve McGowan, Corporate and Foundation Relations Coordinator for GMRI.

The program brings middle school students from around Maine to GMRI’s learning lab, where they participate in a series of activities that examine the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and how it’s changing over time.

Norway Savings Bank was thrilled to continue its longtime support of GMRI with a new $5,000 donation this month.

“Being asked to partner with GMRI in building a world-class learning experience for middle school students across Maine has led to students being exposed to science tools and inquiry far beyond the scope of a classroom,” said Dan Walsh, President and CEO of Norway Savings Bank. “It’s a request that we have been happy to fulfill in the past and one that ensures thousands of Maine students have equitable access to science education.”

Using NASA satellite data and local fishery data, students investigate how warming ocean temperatures are impacting key species, measure live lobsters, observe plankton under microscopes, analyze real sea surface temperature data displayed on interactive touch tables, conduct an underwater species survey at a biodiversity tank, and more. The hands-on, interactive experience is offered at no cost to the schools or the delighted students who continually benefit from all of the offerings at the Portland-based lab.

“My favorite part of GMRI was the entire thing is so fun. I learned so much about the Gulf of Maine. It was amazing and now I really want to be a NASA engineer to help with the satellites,” said Forrest.

“I enjoyed using the microscopes to see plankton and the touch screens to virtually dissect a sea bass. I really enjoyed our time there,” said Susie.

“Thank you for funding all of the technology. It inspired me to want to be a marine biologist,” said Oliver.

“I think when I am older, I might choose this job as my future career,” said Jacob.

“Watching students navigate our learning laboratory and the LabVenture experience with such enthusiasm and energy is remarkable and gratifying,” said McGowan. “Thanks to supporters like Norway Savings Bank, we are able to welcome students from all 16 counties in Maine. We’re honored to help catalyze a lifelong love of science learning.”

For more information about the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, its history, and its work, visit www.gmri.org.