Gorham Middle School SAIL

  Fourth-grade SAIL-Math students at Great Falls had a fantastic experience creating their own pets to sell in our Pet Shop. As part of this hands-on project, they crafted models of their pets and all the necessary supplies to care for them. We welcomed their fellow fourth graders to our pet shop, allowing them to browse and purchase their favorite pets and supplies. This project served as an excellent opportunity for students to apply a wide range of math skills while engaging in real-life scenarios related to pet ownership. It was a truly enjoyable and interactive experience, and I was truly impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm displayed by all the students! 😊

 To kick off the start of a new school year, students in the SAIL-ELA program created  Autobiographical Life Islands, where students represent their lives metaphorically through symbols. This project aims to promote affective skills such as self-awareness, identity, and creative expression. I truly enjoy starting the year with this project because it provides a fantastic opportunity for us to get to know each other on a deeper level.

The CubeSAT team participated in a high-altitude balloon launch for the USM CubeSat Challenge at the University of Maine in Farmington. Their mission was to send an isopod into space inside a terrarium, hoping to keep it alive throughout the journey. Despite their tremendous efforts—including the use of hand warmers, insulation, a pressurized jar, and moss for oxygen—the isopod unfortunately did not survive. However, the team gained valuable insights from this experience and has already begun brainstorming ideas for their mission in next year's CubeSAT challenge.

 The CubeSAT team visited the  University of Southern Maine’s Maker Innovation Studio (MIST) and the USM CubeSat Design Laboratory and worked with Dr. Eaton to construct, program, test, and certify the operation of their CubeSat prior to launch. The CubeSAT needed to pass all tests to get approved to launch on May 29th, and it did!  The different tests were:   1. Weight & Size Must meet the 1.5U CubeSat design volume form factor of 10cm X 10cm X 15cm (91.5 in 3 ) Must weigh less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) 2. Drop Test  Must survive a fall from 3 feet (0.91 m) in Earth’s gravity 3. Pressure Test Must be capable of operating in conditions up to 90,000 feet (27.7 km)

We had an incredible STEAM Night at the Middle School last night, filled with creativity and innovation! Two talented Odyssey of the Mind teams showcased their imaginative skits, which not only entertained the audience but also highlighted their problem-solving skills and teamwork. Additionally, our CubeSAT team presented an exciting overview of their upcoming mission, detailing the objectives and scientific exploration their satellite will undertake. The night served as a fantastic opportunity for students to demonstrate their passions and for families to appreciate the value of STEAM education in a fun and interactive environment.

Throughout the year, SAIL-math students dedicated themselves to a collaborative project with the Gorham Recreational Department focused on designing a new playground as part of the Robie Park Project. They had the opportunity to meet with Cindy Hazelton, the Director of the Gorham Parks and Recreation Department, where they learned about the expansion plans for Robie Park. The students were challenged to design and research various play structures for this new playground, which significantly enhanced their problem-solving and creative skills. They discovered that meticulous planning is essential for creating a new playground that is accessible to everyone. This involved calculating the usage size for their equipment, developing blueprints that adhered to the town's approved square footage, and researching ground surfacing options, ultimately choosing between wood chips and unitary surfaces. Additionally, they contacted companies to obtain sales prices for their selected playgroun...