A University of Maine at Presque Isle program that serves local residents over 50 and believes in “learning for life” will host its spring kick-off event at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13 in the Campus Center. For 17 years, Seniors Achieving Greater Education [SAGE] has brought short courses in arts, sciences, and specialty areas to the region’s senior community.
Local senior citizens will have the opportunity to learn about defensive driving and driving safety strategies during an AARP Smart Driver Course that will be held at the University of Maine at Presque Isle this spring. This is a community service course offered though UMPI’s Conferences and Special Programs Office and sponsored and coordinated by Seniors Achieving Greater Education [SAGE], UMPI’s senior college.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle Outing Club is offering a series of spring adventures and activities for campus and community members to enjoy, including skiing, overnight camping, snowshoeing, and outdoor rock climbing.
The Northern Maine Museum of Science at the University of Maine at Presque Isle and C-A-N-C-E-R [Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery] are pleased to announce that the 9th Annual Planet Head Day, held on Feb. 14 in Wieden Gymnasium, had strong participation and raised more than $11,000. A record number of County citizens—well more than 50—had their heads shaved (others donned bald caps) and painted as planets, moons and comets during this unique fundraiser that brings together space science education and cancer awareness.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present Tea Stains: bind. mark. stitch. by Orono Artist Susan Smith from March 6 through April 11, 2015. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception on March 6 from 5-7 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk. Smith will conduct an Artist Talk during the reception at 5:30 p.m.
Getting exercise while having fun? That’s the goal of the 21st semi-annual Fit and Fun Day, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Gentile Hall. Student organizers welcome kids ages 5 to 11 to participate in the event, which is designed to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles for local children. Free registration begins at 9 a.m., with games and activities to follow.
The Mark and Emily Turner Memorial Library has a brand new outdoor reading spot on its grounds thanks to the snow cave-building skills of a University of Maine at Presque Isle faculty member and several UMPI students.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s very own Brigitte Pratt will serve as the next speaker in the 2014-2015 Distinguished Lecturer Series on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m., in the Campus Center. Pratt, who is the second UMPI student ever to serve as a student Distinguished Lecturer, will deliver her talk Tanzania: My Learning Safari. Her talk is free and the public is encouraged to attend the event.
Two academic programs at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are again joining forces this spring to provide the campus and community with an innovative way to explore the world of science. The Environmental Science and Sustainability and the Biology programs are again presenting a lunchtime seminar series that will provide a forum to present scientific research conducted by UMPI students and faculty as well as other local and regional scientists. This is the fourth time the two groups have hosted the series.
Space science education and cancer awareness will come together for the region’s most unique fundraiser, Planet Head Day, where participants raise money for a local cancer organization by having their heads shaved and painted as planets, dwarf planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Aroostook County’s 9th annual Planet Head Day takes place on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Gymnasium. This not-to-be-missed event is free and the public is invited to attend.