As we begin another year of successful partnerships with Maine's schools we look forward to welcoming a new group of enthusiastic teachers and students. We are seeking motivated seventh and eighth grade teachers who can help us create a sustainable, community-based lake education program. Below we provide some specifics about the program and possible funding opportunities. In addition, please don't hesitate to call us if you need more information. LAKE SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM Our program consists of a five-year commitment in two phases: Phase 1: The first three years includes a teachers' training retreat in the fall, in-class winter visits from our staff, training and access to our web-based Students' Portal (www.mlci.org), and an annual boat program in either the fall or spring. On the boat we provide a range of limnology gear such as a benthic dredge for taking bottom samples, a water column sampler, plankton haul net, a magnifying projector and screen for viewing plankton and macro-invertebrates, a hydrophone and more. Our approach is inquiry-oriented and students will gain firsthand experience in operating our scientific equipment. This makes our program flexible to adapt quickly to what the lakes show us and the cultural links between students and their lake. All activities are aligned with state and national educational standards and are designed for use with middle school students.

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To help us in our continual assessment and review of our program, each partner school is required to submit a one-page report summarizing accomplishments generated through interaction with the program after each year of involvement. Particularly important to us is documenting a school's contribution to the Students' Portal. This mutual assessment helps both MLCI and the teacher.

Phase 2: During the last two years of the program partner schools will continue to receive an invitation to the teachers' training retreat, in-class winter visits, and assistance with the Students' Portal. You and other seasoned veterans of the program will serve as mentors to new schools as we take our boat program to a new community. After the two phases of the program are completed, teachers and their students will become part of an "alumni network" with the ability to continually upgrade information about their lake on the Students' Portal. Our intent through the five years of close communication is to connect your school with key individuals and resources in your communities to develop a local stewardship network for your lakes.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are accepted year round. We then choose our partner schools for the upcoming year each May. Those chosen for that year will be notified in June. For schools accepted into the program, a one-day teachers' training retreat will be scheduled for the fall. It is critical that teachers attend the retreat as Students' Portal administration training will be conducted on that date.

COSTS
If you and your school are accepted, we will be looking to raise a target goal of 20% of the total cost of the program from your community. You do not have to raise the money yourself - we will do the asking - we just need your help to point us in the right direction. You can help us by identifying organizations, businesses, and individuals in your community who by interest, inclination and nature would be interested in supporting access to students for our program. MLCI's fund-raising experts will work with you in this effort.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do I, as a teacher, need to raise money for this program at my school?
A: No! We will do all the fundraising. All you need to do is point us in the right direction - provide us with names of local businesses, individuals, lake associations, etc. and we will do the rest.

Q: How many years will we be involved with the program?
A: 5 years total. For 3 years, your school will get the full program - a teacher workshop, winter school visits, Students' Portal training and access, and an annual boat trip on our floating classroom. During the last 2 years, we will bring to your school everything in the full program except the annual boat trip. You will also have the opportunity to act as a mentor school to new schools that join.

Q: How many schools are you accepting this year?
A: We will be accepting 3 new schools this year and will retain any of our pilot schools that apply again.

Q: How will I be notified if I'm accepted?
A: We will notify schools sometime in June.

Q: What if I don't know of any people or businesses in my community who would be interested in funding this project? Will I automatically be rejected?
A:No! We will work with your school administration or other teachers in gathering information about potential funders.

FINAL NOTE
The final selection of partner schools will be a balance between schools that demonstrate enthusiasm for joining our program and our goal to have a geographically and culturally diverse "class" of schools. If your school is not chosen, PLEASE reapply for the next round.

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a partner school with MLCI. We are passionate about what we do as we create better stewards for today and leaders for tomorrow. We look forward to working with you and your community.