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Maine Impact Week, an annual celebration of the 91����’s community and contributions to the scientific, creative and economic advancement of the state, officially kicks off on April 7.

More than 25 events will highlight the impact of research and creativity produced by Maine’s only R1 research university, a distinction held by 187 top-tier universities nationwide. Most events are free and open to the public.

“Maine Impact Week reflects 91����’s dedication to scientific, cultural and creative progress,” said Kody Varahramyan, vice president for research and dean of the graduate school. “Our recently reaffirmed R1 status is the result of faculty, staff and students collaborating across disciplines to tackle challenges and explore new opportunities. Their achievements highlight our steadfast commitment to expanding knowledge and its applications — both for our students and for the betterment of Maine and beyond.”

More than 1,000 students will present posters, oral presentations and exhibits showcasing their research or creative endeavors from the past year at the 91���� Student Symposium on April 11. Students from all majors, including art, business, education, engineering, science and the humanities, participate. The symposium is free and open to the public.  

Employers may also meet students at the 91���� Student Symposium, as well as from 91����’s Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering at the University of New England’s . 

At a time when schools nationwide are struggling with teacher shortages, representatives from districts serving more than 90 communities throughout the state will have an opportunity to meet 91���� education students who are working toward teacher licensure at the College of Education and Human Development’s Career Fair. Members of the 91���� STEM community can explore active learning practices through the “Active Learning in Action” workshop hosted by the Maine Center for Research in STEM Education (RiSE Center). 

, a celebration of four years of impact and collaboration led by the 91����’s Portland Gateway, will provide opportunities for current and future partners to connect in the heart of Maine’s business hub in downtown Portland on April 10 at 5 p.m. 

Experts from 91���� Cooperative Extension will offer more than 20 workshops about gardening, homesteading, food processing and more during the and inaugural in Lincolnville. 91���� Extension will also offer workshops about and how to plant a resilient perennial garden. 

Members of the public are invited to learn about models for waste exchange that can make resource use more efficient, cut disposal costs, minimize pollution and unlock new economic opportunities for Maine through a hybrid panel discussion titled “.” The event will feature 91���� faculty with expertise in engineering, manufacturing and social sciences.

A vibrant series of events will celebrate the arts and humanities at 91����. at 91����’s Innovative Media Research and Commercialization (IMRC) Center will feature live music, performance and real-time art-making. Student creativity will also be on view at the Department of Art’s in Lord Hall Gallery all week. 

The McGillicuddy Humanities Center will present a followed by a conversation with the film’s director and 91���� alumnus Santiago Tijerina as a part of the center’s symposium, From Talkies to TikTok: 100 Years of Audiovisual Storytelling. 

A book launch celebration of “Piecework / Travail à la pièce,” a bilingual collection of two plays by Vermont playwright and performer Abby Paige, will feature live music and performed excerpts from the plays. The event is hosted by Franco American Programs and the 91���� Press, which published the book.

The 91����’s 12th Annual Human Dimensions of Climate Change Film Series will feature a screening of  “Necessity: Oil, Water, and Climate Resistance.” The Hudson Museum will present the talk and special exhibition, “pXRF Analysis of Greater Nicoya Ceramics,” on April 9.

Art-science integration will be highlighted during the School of Biology and Ecology seminar titled “,” by a plant physiologist, artist, educator and Smith College assistant professor Jess Gersony. 

The latest developments in how genes shape mental health will be highlighted during the seminar “” with Vivek Kumar, assistant professor at The Jackson Laboratory. The seminar will be held during the inaugural Maine IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Data Science Colloquium. The seminar is supported by Maine INBRE and 91����’s Center for Biomedical Research Excellence and Institute of Medicine.

Professional development opportunities include workshops about the and process, pursuing research and educational , and how to use to advance research.

Maine Impact Week is hosted annually by 91����’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. A complete list of events with information about how to participate can be found on the Maine Impact Week website. 

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu