Schools

FIRST LEGO tournament

CASTINE – Maine Maritime Academy will host the Northern Maine FIRST LEGO League Tournament 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Alexander Fieldhouse.

Sponsored by Maine Robotics, the high-tech competition is one of two tournaments in Maine this year. The public is welcome to observe free.

Thomas Bickford, president and director of Maine Robotics, said volunteers from the community are being sought to assist in all tournament areas.

Maine Robotics, a Maine-based nonprofit venture, has been bringing hands-on science and technology activities to Maine schools and children since 2000. The organization uses robotics competitions and summer camps to teach third-graders through high-schoolers.

Robotics is a multidisciplinary topic that touches on engineering, basic science, computers, programming, mathematics, problem solving, design and management.

Maine Robotics sponsors local competitions in the FIRST LEGO League, an international program for children from a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group. Each September, the league announces a challenge that engages teams in hands-on robotics design and scientific research. After eight intense weeks, the season culminates in high-energy, sportslike tournaments.

This year’s theme, Power Puzzle, challenges children ages 9-14 to investigate the world of alternate power sources. Teams use robotics to understand and create solutions for critical environmental issues, energy management and conservation. With missions exploring solar panels on houses, hydro dams, wind turbines and planting trees, teams will program robots to find sustainable options for the planet’s growing energy needs in environmentally sound ways.

This is the third year that MMA has played host to the event. Organizers expect to welcome 18 teams with 150 students and 200 adults.

Jeffrey Wright, MMA director of admissions, said the program has become an annual event for the college, coordinating with the academy’s efforts to improve college aspirations for Maine youth and to emphasize the importance of math and science skills to future academic and career success.

“The competitions are a fun way for young students to see math and science in action,” said Wright. “Each year this event demonstrates the academic potential of a number of bright and enthusiastic competitors. Their creativity, problem solving skills and team camaraderie are a tremendous source of inspiration. I encourage people to come and watch.”

Those interested in volunteering may call Amy Gutow, director of the MMA conferences department, at 326-2283. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to learn more about the FIRST LEGO League and its Power Puzzle competition at www.firstlegoleague.org.

For more information, visit www.mainerobotics.org, call director Thomas Bickford at 866-4340, or

e-mail bickford@maine

robotics.org.

School to Life forum

Do you have concerns about what comes after high school for your special needs youth? Do you feel overwhelmed with the number of agencies out there and the paperwork involved?

Do you have questions like these: What is case management? How can I find out about eligibility? What’s the difference between children and adult case management? How can case management help a young adult transition to the adult world?

The Maine Transition Network, Region 3, School to Life series of forums will address these and more during its third program on transition planning for youth with special needs 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at Alpha One, 1048 Union St.

The forum will feature state and local agency representatives to discuss the aspects of case management. Call Cindy Tuck, coordinator of the series, at 992-2270 to register, or e-mail schooltolife@midmaine.com. The forums are free, but donations are accepted.

Holiday concerts

BANGOR – The John Bapst musicians will present holiday concerts at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in the auditorium, 100 Broadway.

Get tickets for reserved seating 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dec. 6-7 in the Fine Arts Office for $3.

On Nov. 29, 60 members of the John Bapst Memorial High School Concert Choir traveled to All Saints School in Bangor and Holbrook School in Holden to share holiday music with younger pupils as part of the school’s annual concert tour.

Chorale director Al McIntyre explained, “For years, we have brought both our concert choir and our jazz band out on the road. Since John Bapst students come from near and far, we’re not able to visit all of their schools, but we do try to visit at least two each year.”

Concert band director Julienne Ewing added, “This year more than 250 Bapst students are participating in concert band, chorale, chamber ensemble, jazz band or concert choir. It’s not unusual to see members of our sports teams singing or playing an instrument in one of our musical groups. Actually, it’s the norm here at Bapst.”

Vacation fun at BPL

BANGOR – Vacation activities for children have been scheduled at Bangor Public Library.

At 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, have some noisy fun while turning recycled “stuff” into New Year’s Day noisemakers in the Story Room to help you welcome the year 2008.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, in the Story Room, construct your own gingerbread house. Registration is required by Dec. 22 to be sure we have “building materials” for everyone. Stop by the children’s desk, call 947-8336, ext. 111, or e-mail bplill@bpl.lib.me.us to register.

At 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28, in the Story Room, enjoy “Now You’re Cooking” with Mark Guzzi. Owner of one of the oldest organic farms in the area, Peacemeal Farm in Dixmont, Guzzi knows how to serve up fresh vegetables as well as grow them. Known as the “slaw daddy,” he’ll share experiences from the farm and kitchen that will have everyone calling “more veggies, please!”

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, in the Story Room, enjoy “Metalsmithing for Kids” with Donna Tumosa. Those age 8 and up are invited to register for a workshop with Tumosa, who creates her Silver Sorceress Designs at LadySmith Studio in Bangor. Participants will be given materials and guidance to create a pendant with texture and a gemstone. Register at 947-8336, ext 111.

John Bapst Memorial High School

BANGOR – The John Bapst Key Club is sponsoring an Angel Tree at the school for the Hands of Hope Program. The Angel Tree, one of many located in Greater Bangor, is covered with paper ornaments giving a child’s name, age and special wish for the coming holiday. Anyone can take an ornament and fulfill the wish of a child.

John Bapst Key Club President Alessandra Gormley said, “The Angel Tree has been a great project for the Bapst community. Around the holidays, when we have delicious food, our loved ones around us and presents under the tree, it is not always easy to remember that there are those not as fortunate.

“As teenagers, we can be pretty selfish and often our thoughts revolve only around ourselves,” she said. “The Angel Tree gives us a chance to step back from our busy lives and see the greater world around us. It gives us an opportunity to give back, and that is an opportunity we should never pass up.”

The John Bapst Key Club, a leadership organization under school regulations, has been in existence for more than 40 years. It is sponsored by the school and the Bangor Noontime Kiwanis Club.

Membership is open to any student willing to provide a minimum of 50 hours of service annually. Each year more than 100 students participate, contributing time and fundraising efforts to help support charitable organizations in the area. The John Bapst Key Club traditionally raises nearly $8,000 a year for local charities and dedicates more than 4,000 combined hours of service in its school and community.

This year, in addition to the Angel Tree Project, Key Club efforts include running in or volunteering for Race for the Cure, collecting canned goods for Manna Inc. and donations for UNICEF, preparing monthly meals at the Ronald McDonald House, doing holiday gift wrapping for the Red Cross at the Bangor Mall, providing score keepers for the Special Olympics Bowlathon and working at the Foster and Adoptive Family event.

At John Bapst, Key Club students also contribute services to the school’s annual auction, provide assistance and refreshments for parent nights and help the Parents’ Association with sponsored events.

In addition to Gormley, club officers are vice president Catherine Lammert, secretaries Molly Lammert and Jordon Meyers, treasurer Anna Carmack, sergeant-at-arms Alex Gale, publicity chairwoman Abby Tormey, and board members Amy Cheetham and Omar Khan. The John Bapst Key Club faculty adviser is science teacher Mary Lammert.

Hampden Academy

The Dollars for Scholars organization at Hampden Academy is sponsoring Breakfast with Santa 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Reeds Brook Middle School cafeteria. The cost of the pancake breakfast is $2, $10 family. A Holly Jolly bake sale also will be part of the event.

Children may have their photo taken with Santa for a fee of $2. Proceeds from the event benefit Hampden Academy Dollars for Scholars.

Colleges

Art at Husson College

BANGOR – Oil paintings and wood sculpture by Hampden artist Scott Small will be on display 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays through Jan. 11 at the Robert E. White Art Gallery on the ground floor of Peabody Hall at Husson College.

New England School of Communications

BANGOR – The New England School of Communications, a subsidiary of Husson College, draws its nearly 400 students from many places, but one of the most prominent is Old Town High School. Eleven students from OTHS attend NESCom, with all but two seeking a four-year bachelor of science degree in communications.

What draws these Old Town grads to the Bangor school? It seems to be a combination of the numerous communication-related courses provided to them at their high school and an inherent love of music, particularly for those choosing a career path in audio engineering and sound recording.

Four of the 11 OTHS grads are following the audio engineering track, two are taking video production and news broadcasting, while marketing communications, digital media and sports broadcasting have attracted one each. Nine of the 11 are freshmen or sophomores at NESCom.

According to Karen Larson, academic dean at Old Town High, the school offers courses in computer graphics, new mass media, Web page design, digital media and video production, with 155 students out of an enrollment of 677 taking those courses. The most popular are Web page design, computer graphics and digital media.

Students’ reasons for attending NESCom range from a sibling who had a good experience there to following a passion for music by recording a band in which the played.

Old Town High grads now enrolled at NESCom are Garret Agrell, Jennifer Brooker, Caleb Cole, Kortney Foss, Brenda Gilbert, Aaron Jackson, Eleanor Kipping, Jessica Navarro, Mercedes Nelson, Brent Wilbur and Rachel Wollstadt.