Program Descriptions
Module 1: Our Oceans
Students will explore the Back Cove in Portland, take water samples off of a lobster boat in Casco Bay, explore the coast by paddle board, travel by Casco Bay Ferry lines and take a sail in Casco Bay to learn nautical history and the fundamentals of boating. They will visit the Maine Maritime Museum. They will meet professionals in the lobster trade, transportation, large scale aquaculture (kelp and oyster), and environmental stewardship fields. If they are interested, Baxter Academy will work with them to be placed in an internship that will position them for long term employment. They will develop a journal recording data from their scientific research and images and propose a solution to a challenge facing our community. They will defend the solution to the group in a presentation at the end of the week.
Module 2: Explore Maine, Hiking Adventure
Baxter Academy will provide students with the opportunity to learn about Maine’s diverse forest ecology system. They will learn about sustainable forestry and land management as they hike on Maine trails and explore Bradbury Mountain, Mackworth Island, and islands on the Maine Island Trail Network. They will collect data, create a photo journal (using i-pads available through Baxter Academy) of our habitat.
Module 3: AI in the Air
Students will learn how to build and program drones with the user-friendly Python programming that is appropriate for novices and more experienced students alike. They will utilize this drone technology for monitoring ocean health, farming, and land management. At the end of the week they will have a drone race competition and a drone that they can take home. They will be using their drones at Deering Oaks Park in Portland, the Back Cove in Portland, Fort Williams in Cape Elizabeth, and Bug Light at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. In our partnership with 1000 Drones for 1000 Girls, the students will be certified with the FAA - Recreational Unmanned Aircraft Safety Test (TRUST) Certificate. This would prepare them to pursue a commercial drone pilot FAA certification upon turning 16 years old.
Module 4: Our Farms, Our Future
Students will visit local small farms including Wolf Neck Farms, Pineland Farms and Garbage to Garden. They will learn about plant biology on the cellular level and the macro system level. They will learn about indigenous and sustainable crops. They will be introduced to the methods of ethically and safely forage wild plant matter They will also learn about composting. They will end the week with a journal and sketchbook reflecting their work of the week recording data collection and created artwork.
5. Seeing Portland: Exploring Photography Camp
Students will explore the urban landscape of Portland, Maine to learn to ethically and safely forage wild plant matter to make photographs outdoors and in a darkroom using historic photographic processes. Students will also build their own pinhole cameras as well as a phone camera or a tablet camera to create lasting photographic landscapes. The week will culminate in a group show and community celebration.
Please NOTE THAT ELIGIBLE StUDENTS MAY RECEIVE A STIPEND FOR PARTICIPATION.
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