Dora L. Small School, South Portland, ME
There’s no place else in the State of Maine, there’s no place else in New England, there’s no place else in this country that has a facility like this, that exposes kids to the technology and the inquiry in science in such a short time, but leaves them with lifelong impressions.
The best part for me is seeing the kids totally immersed in the scientific process. They would never have the opportunity to use the technology for scientific research that they do here. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our kids. They know they’re in a facility that is active in marine research, and that there are real scientists here, unlike Mr. Caldwell teaching science at school, there are real scientists here (laughs).
For us in South Portland it’s a two step process. The first step is here, as I said, it lights the imagination and their creativity and their inquisitiveness, and we’ve developed what is now our 5th grade marine science unit for all 5th grade students that happens directly after their visits to the Cohen Center.
Without those people who have donated their resources to make this dream and vision come true, obviously all the success that we’ve had and the learning that has gone on, and excitement about science, would have never happened. But to have a visitation here at no cost, with bus transportation provided is not only unique, but it benefits kids from Aroostook County, Van Buren, Fort Kent, just as well as it does kids from Portland and South Portland. That itself is a commitment to the State of Maine and the future of the students in the State of Maine. 