LIMESTONE, Maine — The Maine School of Science and Mathematics (MSSM) in Limestone opened its doors to 30 prospective students and their family members for the first open house of the new year Monday.
MSSM’s open house offered sessions where students had the chance to experience everything from resident life to academics, and witness current students in action.
MSSM Executive Director Luke Shorty said visitors from all over the state of Maine come to kick the tires and look at MSSM during an open house. Shorty hopes students interested in joining the Limestone magnet school will see what he thinks is so special about the institution.
“The students, the faculty, and the people make this place special — it really is the community. You get this blend of amazing educators and great students and just watch the magic unfold,” Shorty said.
After being welcomed with a home-style breakfast in the school’s cafeteria, Dean of Enrollment Alan Whittemore addressed students briefly before they attended a play performance, courtesy of instructor Lee Rose and his January term students, in the auditorium. Whittemore said he was pleased to share with the world Maine’s most motivated and capable students.
“Every class, every student is an individual and they represent not just MSSM, not just their sending school, not just Maine, but most importantly themselves and their family. They truly are unique individuals,” Whittemore said.
Prospective students then broke off from their parents to visit and explore instructor David Dougan’s chemistry classroom. On his way to the presentation, Presque Isle resident Owen McQuarrie mentioned he’s considering joining MSSM later this year with the hope of someday entering the computer science field.
“I’m going to try to apply for freshman year — [MSSM is] more challenging than a normal school. My school in Presque Isle isn’t difficult … I work better when I’m challenged,” McQuarrie said as he made his way through the halls.
Current MSSM students entertained Monday’s visitors with chemistry experiments in Dougan’s classroom including displays of refractive index and organic sculptures comprised of sodium acetate. The session was capped off with a spectacular explosion from a lycopodium-filled balloon.
Shorty believes students that are highly motivated and have a passion for learning, will take away not just a great education, but community spirit and leave MSSM stronger and better than they were coming into it.
“When you put [students] in a rigorous nurturing environment and you have high expectations, they tend to rise to the challenge,” Shorty said.
MSSM was founded by the Maine legislature in 1994 and opened its doors in 1995. The school was a result of property becoming available after the Loring Air Force Base in Limestone closed. MSSM is mandated to exceed all state educational requirements. It started off as a school just for juniors and seniors back in the 1990s, and as they’ve progressed through the years, they now accept freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Current enrollment is 146 resident students.
