Maine Mobile BIOLAB ignites JSMS student science interest

By Ed Pierce

Creativity may just be the secret sauce to unlocking interest in science, technology, engineering, and math, and if that’s the case, Jordan-Small Middle School students received a hefty dose of it last Friday when the Maine Mobile Biolab paid a visit to the Raymond school.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB visited Jordan-Small Middle
School in Raymond last week and students were able to
participate in laboratory activities and a variety of
classes ranging from sample testing and data analysis
to basic chemistry and environmental science.
COURTESY PHOTO

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB is part of Educate Maine’s larger strategy to connect students and educators with career pathways within the life sciences sector and develop a larger and career ready workforce in Maine through educational investments. This high-tech mobile laboratory brings scientific tools and techniques right to the schools it visits, allowing students access to experiences far beyond what many schools can provide.

The curriculum features laboratory activities appropriate for a variety of classes ranging from sample testing and data analysis to basic chemistry and environmental science. All BIOLAB activities are focused on problem-based learning with real-world applications that align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Maine Learning Results and include common bioscience techniques such as DNA extraction and agarose gel electrophoresis, and relevant themes such as aquaculture, bioengineering, and forestry.

Each Maine Mobile BIOLAB activity goes beyond textbook learning and offers students a firsthand look at the world of bioscience and the multitude of career possibilities in the field.

Kellie Ouellette, a Science and Math teacher at Jordan-Small Middle School, said the BIOLAB visit was an exceptional method to spark interest in STEM-related fields among her students.

“The Maine Mobile BIOLAB brought in a series of high-tech laboratory experiences for students to participate in that we just do not have the materials or resources to carry out in a small school,” she said. “They brought all of the equipment and had well-designed lab experiences that gave the students hands-on experience with water testing for ph and turbidity, with connections to ecosystem health.”

Ouellette said another lab that JSMS students were able to participate in was called "Where Did the Sugar Go?" and was an exploration of how sugar travels through the human body, and how diabetes can interfere with that process.

At another station, students ran tests on simulated blood to determine which patient was the diabetic patient, and they were then tasked with designing a meal plan that would work based on the units of insulin the person had brought with them.

The Maine Mobile BIOLAB approach emphasizes the practices of science and engineering, building the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities that are vital for success in STEM fields. In addition to learning new skills in a hands-on environment, participants gain a holistic understanding of the bioscience industry and opportunities available to them.

The biolab curriculum was co-developed with input from Maine bioscience employers and industry stakeholders. Public school teachers also provided feedback to inform the program through an educator survey. The Maine Mobile BIOLAB launched last spring with an initial focus on grades 5 to 8 and the entire program is available at no cost to schools.

Across America and in Maine, employment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations has grown substantially in the past 35 years, rising from 9.7 million in 1990 to 17.3 million this year, according to research complied by the U.S. Labor Department.

Having a STEM-related degree can also boost potential earnings as students explore potential careers. Statistics show that the average STEM worker earns $54,745 annually while a non-STEM worker typically earns $40,505.

The Life Sciences field happens to be one of the fastest growing industries in Maine and in the past five years, high-paying bioscience jobs in Maine have risen by 42 percent. With more STEM graduates, it is expected that in the future Maine could become a busy biotech hub, so the mobile lab might foster more interest among students who had not previously considered these types of careers.

“The novelty of having lab sessions in a giant RV with four large lab stations was fun,” Ouellette said. “In class we are following up on the labs we completed by looking at the data collected and continuing our learning.”

She said that the Maine Mobile BIOLAB’s “Where Did the Sugar Go? connects well with material her students were studying such as human body systems and structures and the functions of cells, tissues, and organs. We also can connect it to photosynthesis and respiration, and other chemical processes that occur in the cells of organisms.”

The BIOLAB is an initiative of Educate Maine which believes that all Maine people must have access to a high-quality education that provides them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for career and economic success. It is committed to addressing inequities across the state and believes that the mobile lab will increase access and decrease barriers and create unique experiences for middle school students in Maine. Educate Maine champions career readiness by increasing the educational attainment of Maine residents, enabling all students to succeed in postsecondary education and in the workplace. As a business-led education advocacy organization, Educate Maine also administers four signature programs with key partners: Maine Teacher of the Year Program, Project>Login, Education Leaders Experience, and Maine Career Catalyst. <

Windham town hall offices shifting to four-day work week

By Ed Pierce

Starting June 21, Windham Town Hall employees will be shifting to a four-day work week.

Following a discussion during a Windham Town Council workshop earlier this month, Windham Town Manager Barry Tibbetts consulted department heads and other town hall staff and asked them how to best accommodate residents while creating a competitive work/life balance for employees.

Employees of the Windham Town Clerk's office will adapt 
to a new work schedule soon as Town Hall workers will be
shifting to a new four-day work schedule starting June 21.
PHOTO BY LINDA MORRELL

Tibbetts said other nearby communities have adopted four-day work week schedules and currently having a number of municipal vacancies, Windham needs to be as competitive as possible to attract and retain workers. During the previous workshop, several councilors expressed concerns about town hall offices being closed on Fridays and those seeking services having to wait until Monday for employees to be available.

“To be competitive, we need to be similar to towns around us yet be accessible for services,” Tibbetts told town council members during a meeting on Tuesday night.

According to Tibbetts, department heads told him that the greatest demand for town hall services is earlier in the day and not in the late afternoon and evening. He said many services available at town hall can also be found easily and accomplished online.

Because the town charter grants him the authority to determine operational hours for employees, Tibbetts said he’s willing to try shifting to a four-day work week for town hall staff on a six-month trial basis.

“After review of the proposed operational times, discussions with staff at multiple levels, comparisons with similar municipalities, I have made the decision to amend the operational open times for the town,” Tibbetts said.

The new hours effective June 21 will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays, and closed on Fridays.

“This date coincides with the time-recording system for payroll. This change does not affect the total hours worked; those remain the same. I asked staff to provide what they thought were the best times for providing services to the public with a four-day work week schedule,” Tibbetts said. “The majority of the staff felt the following time, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., worked best for the public with an extended day. The town allows for numerous opportunities on-line to re-register vehicles, smaller recreational vehicles, trailers, pets, hunting & fishing licenses, recreational programming, voting registration, request vital records, and taxes.”

He said advances in technology opportunities further enhance the convenience of reaching the town hall and that if a resident cannot make the time frame of hours, a friend or relative can process a re-registration for them or they can use mail.

With the change, public entry to municipal offices on Fridays will not be available, excluding the gym at town hall, which has a separate access point.

In a memo to councilors, Tibbetts pointed out that some senior level and other staff members may work on Fridays to process necessary filings as needed, but public access to municipal offices will be closed.

“Fire, Police and Public Works currently work a variable schedule with no major impacts from this proposed four-day work week,” Tibbetts said. “There may be some union language changes to work through on existing contracts. The library currently has a six-day week and would look to maintain that schedule with modifications to hours open and closing while coordinating staff to have two consecutive days off.

Tibbetts said that the June 21 effective date for the change has been established to provide an eight-week window to let the public know about the new hours for the Windham Town Hall.

“It’ll be a bit of an educational process and it’ll take some time, but we need to move forward with this,” Tibbetts told councilors.

He says a summary report will be provided to the Town Council in six months about the effectiveness of changing the hours for operations and any next steps, along with tracking of transactions for analysis. <

Keep home networks secure with these simple steps

Experts recommend that everyone should take
regular inventory of everything that's connected
to your home digital network to prevent hackers
from accessing important information.
COURTESY PHOTO

Working and learning from home is the new norm for millions of American families. They’re engaged in a daily juggling act, making sure everyone has the bandwidth and privacy to complete their work, whether it’s the latest algebra assignment or the monthly all-staff meeting. Add in streaming services, online shopping and an assortment of other digital activities and it’s easy to see why cybersecurity might become an afterthought.

Unfortunately, that’s exactly what cybercriminals and hackers are counting on. The FBI has reported a rise in the number of online fraud schemes related to the coronavirus with the intent to steal money, personal information or both.

“The digital nature of everything we do makes it essential for all of us to understand the basics of cybersecurity and to put some simple practices in place to keep our families safe,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association.

According to cybersecurity experts at CompTIA, a good first step is to check how old your equipment is, whether it’s your own, rented or leased from an internet service provider. Routers, modems, switches, access points or any other device hooked up to the home network should be less than five years old. Anything older should be replaced because its built-in security protections are woefully outdated.

Strong passwords are critical throughout your home, starting with your Wi-Fi network. Don’t name your home network “try and hack me” or include personal information in the network name. You don’t want to call any attention to yourself via the network name. Be sure to check the encryption level for your home wireless network. At the very minimum you want the encryption option set to WPA2.

Factory-installed default passwords and settings on digital equipment are an open invitation to hackers. This information is often found online, making it easy for hackers to access your network. If any of your home network equipment still relies on the password it had when installed, change the password.

Creating passwords is always a matter of balancing security and convenience. While simpler passwords are easier to remember, they’re less secure. On the other hand, you don’t want to make them so complicated you’ll have trouble remembering them. Set passwords to something that’s a little challenging, but that you’ll remember.

Whenever you receive notification about a security patch or software update, make sure you install them right away. Companies make these updates available when they discover bugs to fix or security holes to fill. It’s a good practice to have your router and other devices set to automatic updates so the latest security patches and software updates are installed soon after becoming available.

To learn more of the basics of cybersecurity, visit The Future of Tech at futureoftech.org.

With the widespread use of digital devices, it’s easy to lose track of everything that’s connected to your home network. Take a regular inventory and if you see something that shouldn’t be there, block it or remove it from the network.

Finally, review your security settings at least once a year. Take the time to look at all of the settings to make sure everything is in order. With the uptick of online fraud, beefing up your home cybersecurity measures is more important than ever. (StatePoint)

Town provides technology the Raymond way by Lorraine Glowczak

Erik Woodbrey in front of his custom built computer

Providing the best services possible, done the right way and on a low budget, is the Raymond’s way of doing business. And that is exactly what is happening with the high quality technical amenities the town offers as a result of a forward-thinking, highly motivated and exceptionally skilled family.

Kevin Woodbrey of Raymond and his two sons, Kyle and Erik, have provided sophisticated technology services for the Town of Raymond for over 20 years. 

Although the family has established their own business, Woodbrey Consulting, and now contracts with the town as a supplier of all information technology services, they began their role as volunteers, providing extensive technical assistance on their own time, and often, at their own expenses.

“Thanks to the Woodbreys, the Town of Raymond provides high quality electronic services as well as industry standard levels of security and back office protocols,” said Don Willard, Town Manager. “Very few small towns are able to reach these standards. We would not be where we are now if it was not for the Woodbreys.”

This is all achieved using high quality equipment, operating under a cost-effective model, which has included utilizing private sector equipment that has been refurbished and updated. “The Woodbreys always make sure we get the biggest bang for our buck, whether it be by sourcing high quality used equipment or through private sector company donations” remarked Willard.

There are a number of projects Kevin and his sons have completed in the last couple of years that financially benefit the Town of Raymond. The latest, of many recent projects, is the updated web streaming and cable television station that operates out of the recently upgraded town studio. Thenew computer system was custom built and installed in the town’s studio by 23-year-old, Erik.

“The main thing about Erik’s upgrade is that we purchased off-the-shelf equipment to build this computer versus buying proprietary equipment which is much more expensive,” Kevin stated.

Erik quickly added, “The broadcast workstation upgrade was approximately $5,500. It could have easily cost over $30,000.”

Another successful and completed project is an updated network infrastructure that manages all the town computers. A majority of the software is open source and equipment for the project was purchased through vendors selling used or refurbished technology, in this case eBay, that offer a two-year parts warranty. “We can easily go back one generation [in computer equipment, servers, etc.] and still provide sophisticated and high-quality technology at a dramatic price advantage,” explained Kevin.

The large computer console and supporting server racks in which the networking infrastructure and broadcast workstation is housed, also in the studio, was a result of a MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) upgrade and other donated equipment. “I had a friend who worked at the Technology Department at MIT,” Kevin began. “He called me to let me know that they were purchasing a new computer console and asked if I wanted the current one for free. The only catch was delivering the huge piece of equipment back to Raymond.”

But never allowing a small challenge to get in the way, Kevin and his sons drove to MIT with a large truck and trailer and delivered it to Raymond by themselves. “To purchase a computer console of this size would cost approximately $20,000,” Kevin said. “But we got this one for free.”

The Woodbreys have also been busy building and putting in place a Virtual Private Network (VPN). “This allows all the town network devices, servers, workstations and cameras to communicate to each other on a secure and private system that offers sophisticated full network data encryption for security,” Kevin explained.

The Woodbreys talent, skill and innovation are a result of many years of collective experiences. Kevin graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1978 and was employed by companies within the U.S., returning to Maine after many years away. Upon his return, he worked in various information technology capacities in companies such as Unum and WEX.

The Woodbreys built the network infrastructure for a new airport in Branson, MO

He and his wife, Vicki, a systems analyst, decided to homeschool Erik. Upon making that decision, Kevin and Vicki took Erik and Kyle on a five-week, cross country road trip and it was during this transition that Kevin created his consulting firm.

Woodbrey Consulting not only provide their technology services for the Town of Raymond but also provide contractual services for other companies and organizations. This includes airlines such as JetBlue as well as for airports in general.

“When Erik was 14, we were hired to build, from scratch, the data center including servers, computer systems, firewalls and network infrastructure for a new airport in Branson, MO,” explained Kevin. “We were there for 2 ½ months working seven days per week, ten hours per day. Erik had so much energy with it all. When I was ready to call it a day, he wanted to do ‘just one more thing’ - but we did it and now the Branson Airport is up and running.”

Although the Woodbreys are humble about their accomplishments, their expertise in information technology and their talents to find the greatest product at the best cost has created a town of technology advances that are likely the envy of most.

“We are simply problem solvers,” Kevin said of himself and his family. But Willard clarified Kevin’s statement, “They are problem solvers who don’t accept failure as a possibility. We are very lucky to have them.”