St. George School is partnering with the MidCoast School of Technology to develop that nation's first PreK-12 Career & Technical Education (CTE) Program and construct a PreK-8 CTE/ Makerspace Building next to St. George School.  Help us bring the trades, technology, and innovation back to the heart of public education and provide all students, grades PreK-8, with access to hands-on/ minds-on learning™.  The new building will include two shop areas for boatbuilding, woodworking, and metalwork; a  Makerspace with 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, robotics, and sewing machines; and a flexible classroom space.

The objectives of this project are to:

• STUDENT ENGAGEMENT: To re-engage students in their learning through hands-on/ minds-on, technical learning connected to career & community.™

• WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: To ensure students have the academic, technical, and social-emotional skills to thrive in today's workforce and create the jobs & industries of the future.

• ECONOMIC GROWTH: To build a more diversified and resilient local economy that supports a thriving year-round community.

This project is rooted in the history and hearts of our community, which includes generations of builders, entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators. Through the vision, commitment, and generosity of our community; private donations; grants; contributions from over 30 business sponsors; our Buy-A-Brick fundraiser; and bipartisan support from Maine's Congressional Delegation  - we raised over $4.5 million.  

Thank you to Senator Susan Collins and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree for their bipartisan support of the CTE/Makerspace Project!

• Nearly $7.6 Million for Maine Education and Childcare Programs Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

• $1 Million Secured by Pingree for St. George Career and Technical Education Center

We are continuing to raise money to help fund programs, personnel, equipment, supplies and upkeep of the building. Please consider making a donation to the St. George School Fund to support the CTE/Makerspace Project.  

For more information, please check out:

• A one page overview of the project, click here.

• Our most recent project update, click here.

• Our January 2023 CTE for All panel discussion with educators and business leaders, click here.

You can also contact Superintendent Mike Felton (m.felton@stgeorgemsu.org), School Board Member Kristin Falla (k.falla@stgeorgemsu.org), or Makerspace Director Paul Meinersmann (p.meinersmann@stgeorgemsu.org) to learn more about project.

St. George MSU was selected as a 2023 Yass Prize Finalist and received $500,000 for the CTE/Makerspace Project!  The Yass Prize, known as the Pulitzer of Education Innovation, recognizes the work of the "best-in-class education providers who can tackle the big education challenges of the day and deliver an education for students that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless."  We were one of nine finalists selected from over 2000 applicants representing 27 million students from every sector in education and every grade in the PreK-12 continuum across all 50 states.  We were the only traditional public school selected as a finalist, and one of only two among the 33 semifinalists.

"The disruption that the awardees are causing in American education is remarkable,” said Jeanne Allen of the Center for Education Reform - the organization that manages the Yass Prize.  Ms. Allen, who works with education institutions across the nation, said of our district, "St. George Municipal School Unit is among the very best of American endeavors in education."

St. George MSU received a $685,000 Connectivity Hub grant from the Maine Connectivity Authority to provide online learning, workforce training, and telehealth appointments through the new CTE/Makerspace Building.  By bringing together educational institutions, medical providers, local government, nonprofits, and businesses, we will create a network of interconnected services that fosters a healthy, highly skilled, and innovative workforce.  Some of the services provided will include:

• online workforce training with hands-on application;

• telehealth integrated with community paramedicine; and

• online learning in subjects ranging from digital literacy to data analytics.

We have partners from across sectors that are working together to build an ecosystem of workforce development. Our partners include:

• St. George Community Development Corporation

• St. George Paramedicine Program

• Kinney-Melquist American Legion Post 34

• Jackson Memorial Library

• MidCoast School of Technology

• Island Institute

• Northeastern University's Roux Institute

• Coastal Maine Regional Broadband

• National Digital Equity Center 

The CTE/Makerspace Building Project will allow students to develop the necessary technical, creative thinking, and social-emotional skills to meet existing labor force needs and create new businesses and industries. Working with MCST, we'll develop a PreK - 12th grade CTE program that spurs innovation in public education and rural economic development.  

Businesses can sponsor this project as a Friend ($500+ donation), Partner ($1,000+), Visionary ($5,000+ donation), or Changemaker ($10,000+ donation).  More information about sponsorship levels and benefits can be found here.

If you are ready to join us as a sponsor or have questions, please contact Superintendent Mike Felton (m.felton@stgeorgemsu.org; 207.542.6394). 

Changemaker Level

Visionary Level

Partner Level

Friend Level