Monthly Newsletter: Volume 12

May 29, 2024

Where can you find us? This Saturday, June 1st, we'll be at Farmington Fairgrounds for Franklin County 4-H Days. We'll be signing people up for our Summer LEGO Day Camps and demonstrating a LEGO robot performing some tasks. In this issue, we'd also like to highlight a mentor and a couple of our favorite sponsors. Thanks to all who support us. Also, you may want to take another look at our website, as we've made a few updates.

Franklin County 4-H Days

Maine STREAM Place to demonstrate Lego robot

June 1st, 10:00 - noon

Lego Summer Day Camps

If you know someone who would like to attend, send an e-mail and we will send info on how to sign up.

MENTOR SPOTLIGHT

Monica Allen

Why should you sign up for our Summer LEGO Day Camp? Monica Allen will be leading it! She's a Maine native, born in Strong, who didn't even know what an Engineer was before she got to high school. Since then, she's studied Physics and Computer Science at Colby College for 3 years before earning her Electrical Engineering degree from Dartmouth. She's worked as a Systems Engineer where she authored 3 patents. Moving back to Maine, she became a Certified Financial Planner. She's also taught math and coached FIRST Lego League teams at Smart Fun Learning Adventures and then at Maine STREAM Place.

She has been leading Lego teams for 9 years, with one of her teams winning Maine State Lego Championship for 5 consecutive years. She is now the coach of the Squires of Katahdin, a rookie Lego team with all but one of ten members also rookies. Even so, she led the Squires to second place in Maine in February.

She's also a software and electrical systems mentor for the Knights of Katahdin, FIRST Robotics Competition team. She rescued the team from their robot software programming and electrical assembly woes. After just 2 years, she's now the co-coach of the Knights and aims to keep our competition season on schedule starting next year. She is also the Treasurer for Maine STREAM Place, Inc.

Monica enjoys teaching kids math, science, engineering and robotics. She says, "For me as a mentor, or with teaching in general, the best part is when you have a kid who comes into the program and they’re not confident in themselves or sure about themselves, and then after working with them they realize that they’re able to do the things they never thought they could do. They build that confidence and realize they ARE talented in something that they never knew they could do. That’s the most fun part, I believe."

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

Franklin and Skowhegan Savings Banks

Franklin and Skowhegan Savings Banks are local banks that support their communities with funding for activities like ours. Between the 2 banks, we have received nearly $10,000 in the last 2 years. They are investing in our community so we have better opportunities in the future. Thank you so much!!

PROGRAM NEEDS

How can YOU make a difference at MSPI?

Financial contributions toward programs, competition fees and team travel are always needed and appreciated!

The WISH LIST items below would be put to good use, and could be new or gently used:

• Paper towels

• Snacks for teenagers!

• Keurig Coffee Maker

• Vlogging Camera so we can take better pictures and video footage, example linked HERE

• Heat Press for ironing logos on our team shirts and hoodies, our favorite is HERE

• Refrigerator (Could be full or apartment size)

• Metal Cabinet (Counterheight for food storage, metal to be creature-proof,) example linked HERE, but a similar style would work!

• Safety Glasses for Glowforge use linked HERE

• Laminator

• Markers for Glass White Board, linked HERE

• Composition Notebooks, linked HERE

• Sublimation Printer and supplies This would allow us to make multi-color iron-ons that meld to the shirt material and a bunch of other items like mugs, water bottles, can cozies, etc.

You can also donate the proceeds from your RETURNABLES (Bottles + Cans) to Maine STREAM Place, by visiting Ron’s Redemption in Farmington (144 Franklin Avenue)

REACH OUT