FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Thanks to funding from NASA, the Fort Fairfield Public Library is launching a series of space- and science-related projects over the coming year aimed at fostering curiosity and exploration of the planet and beyond.
The northern Maine library was among 75 nationwide — and the only one in the state — selected from 5,000 applicants to participate in the NASA@MyLibrary Program.
“The library is thrilled to have been selected from more than 500 applicants for this project,” said youth library assistant Dianna Leighton. “With the tools, funding and support provided by the NASA@My Library initiative, we’ll be able to share the exciting world of astronomy in fun and exciting new ways, connect with libraries across the country and build community partnerships.”
The idea behind the initiative, according to Leighton, is the promotion of youth-focused STEM — short for science, technology, engineering and math — disciplines.
“For the state in general and certainly for northern Maine, the shifting economy and the way we are looking at the current generations of students for that job market, those STEM fields are I believe going to be mandatory,” she said. “Just in day to day living, being able to think critically and creatively is important [and] anytime we provide hands-on [STEM] projects, we see that kind of thinking.”
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “Northern Maine library selected for new NASA-sponsored program,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Julia Bayly, please follow this link to the BDN online.
