After a selective application process, Gizmo Garden has admitted 23 sixth through ninth graders from 11 schools for this year’s February break creative electronics program.  At Skidompha Library in Damariscotta, students will each create a water-based gizmo of their own theme and chain them together into a Gizmo Water Park.

Demand for the program was so high that Skidompha has opened registration for a new program called Gizmo Sprouts for fifth through seventh graders.

Maine Math and Science Alliance Executive Director Ruth Kermish-Allen congratulated the newly admitted students, saying, "As a mother of two young girls and serving as executive director of an organization that works toward supporting inspirational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) learning experiences for Maine's youth, I fully realize the importance of exceptional, fun, hands-on applications of STEM like Gizmo Garden.

Kermish-Allen continued, “The State of Maine needs more innovative projects like Gizmo Garden to help our youth find new and exciting ways to feed their passions for creativity through STEM.  Congratulations to this year's ‘crop’ of Gizmo Gardeners and thank you for all that you bring to the STEM education community in Maine."

2017 Gizmo Gardeners from Wiscasset Elementary and Woolwich Central schools are David Andersson, Iris Hennin and Oscar Hennin.  From Edgecomb Eddy and the Center for Teaching and Learning, Gizmo Gardeners are Arden Carleton, Forest Holbrook, Christian Longobardi, Brynna Nelson, Carolyn Potter and Marlowe Recoing-Tallen.

From  Great Salt Bay Community School and Damariscotta Montessori, Gizmo Garden welcomes Clare Colburn, Gavin Dolloff, Maggie Castelein, Austin Levesque, and Brooke Rethman. Representing Lincoln Academy and Nobleboro Central School are Isobel Petersen, Scott Petersen, William Sherrill, and Heaven Wadford.

Representing Bristol Consolidated and South Bristol are Owen Dyer, Sage Kosky, and Ryan Naylor.  Gizmo Garden also welcomes homeschoolers Madeline Barcelona and Nathan Barcelona.

“Our volume of applications was up significantly this year,” said Mike Lee, Skidompha’s new Gizmo Educator.  “Even though we increased our class size from 15 last year to 23 this year, we still weren’t able to accommodate all of the amazing students who applied.

“In response to this demand, we’re starting ... Gizmo Sprouts, which will run during mornings of April break.  Applicants who we couldn’t accommodate during Gizmo Garden have been offered priority registration in Gizmo Sprouts, and we’ll fill the remaining slots for six boys and six girls on a first-come registration basis.” 

During Gizmo Sprouts, students will design and 3D print a “pet,” then add fun electronic features. Parents who want more information are welcome to contact GizmoMike@gizmogarden.org, or visit “Gizmo Mike” at his desk in the science section at Skidompha.