Maine launches first robotics symposium to prepare students for automated future

The Maine School of Science and Mathematics hosted its first robotics symposium in Waterville, bringing together families, students, and STEM organizations to introduce Maine’s youth to robotics opportunities. The event underscores Maine’s growing focus on preparing students for the state’s evolving industrial landscape, where automation and robotics play increasingly important roles beyond the traditional agriculture and tourism sectors.

What you should know: The symposium aimed to demonstrate that STEM education and careers can thrive in Maine, not just promote the specialized school itself.

• Robert Constantine, executive director of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, emphasized that “you can do STEM in Maine, and it’s exciting to do STEM wherever you’re in school.”
• The event took place at Thomas College’s gymnasium in Waterville, featuring hands-on robotics demonstrations with servo motors and LEGO-based projects.
• Multiple organizations participated, including the Robotics Institute of Maine, which focuses on expanding robotics access statewide.

The big picture: Maine’s industrial economy increasingly relies on automation and robotics, making early STEM exposure crucial for preparing future workers.

• Constantine noted that Maine has “a vibrant industrial culture that has a lot of cool automation and robotics stuff going on in it.”
• The school’s mission centers on “taking Maine students and preparing them to be leaders in Maine’s future industries.”

What they’re saying: Event organizers and participants highlighted both the educational mission and the impressive capabilities of young learners.

• “Our goal is basically to get robots in the hands of all the kids and all the students throughout the entire state of Maine,” said Alison Bessette, chair of the Robotics Institute of Maine.
• Bessette added: “You talked to some of these kids there, some of the smartest students I’ve ever spoken to, and it just keeps growing and growing each year.”

Key details: The symposium showcased young students already demonstrating engineering aptitude and problem-solving skills.

• Eight-year-old Judah Lyons, who had never programmed before the event, quickly picked up coding skills and expressed interest in becoming an engineer.
• His approach to challenges reflects engineering thinking: “If your idea doesn’t work, you just try your idea again until it does work,” Judah explained.
• His mother, Brittany Michaud, sees the potential for this hobby to become his future career path.