Educational Partnerships
Coastal Studies for Girls recognizes the value of collaboration, with its direct benefit to students as well as the educational and environmental community. With this in mind, the academic program will be deeply enriched through educational partnerships with organizations that support our mission. Our ongoing list of partners currently includes:
Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance (MMSA)
The Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance endeavors to enhance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education to elevate student aspirations and achievement, so all students will meet or exceed state and national standards. The MMSA will provide and conduct research, development, and implementation strategies, and form active partnerships to support excellence in STEM curriculum, instruction, and assessment in schools and districts for educators at all stages of their careers. Coastal Studies for Girls utilzes the expertise of MMSA staff as we implement STEM curriculum.
The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS)
The National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) is an association of girls' independent and public, day and boarding schools across the United States, with affiliate partners in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. NCGS members share a commitment to the values and benefits of single-sex schools for girls, and a belief that all girls, regardless of educational setting, deserve the opportunity to realize their potential, to be active and equal, confident and competent leaders, participants and contributors. NCGS serves as a conduit of leading edge information on single-sex education as well as a platform for CSG to promote an exciting opportunity for students enrolled in member schools of NCGS. Through this partnership, CSG and NCGS work to support each others’ missions, and to increase the visibility and promote the value of single-sex education.
National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP)
The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) is an initiative funded by the National Science Foundation through the Puget Sound Center, to improve girls’ participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). NGCP promotes collaboration among girl-serving organizations to strengthen capacity of existing and evolving projects by sharing promising practice research and program models, outcomes and products. CSG is a member of the Leadership Team for the Maine regional collaborative, Maine Girls Collaborative Project (read more about Maine Girls Collaborative Project). This partnership gives us excellent national visibility and opportunities to network with regional girl-serving STEM organizations and individuals. Through the NGCP mini-grant program, CSG is able to apply for funding for collaborative projects to support our girls directly.
Platform Shoes Forum is a non-profit organization based in Rockport, Maine. It is an innovative online resource dedicated to helping youth to:
* Learn 21st Century hard skills in a fun, collaborative online environment
* Behave responsibly and ethically online as well as be safe surfers
* Peer mentor others online using interactive characters
* Be better prepared for the workforce of the future
Platform Shoes Forum has developed the award-winning program Zoey’s Room, a national online community for 9-to-14-year-old girls, encouraging their interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Through our partnership with Platform Shoes Forum, CSG students will have an opportunity to connect with and mentor younger girls. The online community Zoey’s Room provides an excellent outlet for CSG students to practice leadership and contribute to the support and education of girls across the nation.
Wolfe’s Neck Farm Foundation (WNFF)
WNFF’s mission is centered around the preservation and protection of open spaces with a focus on sustainable farming, education and recreation. The missions of CSG and WNFF support each other and CSG has a long-term lease agreement with WNFF. The CSG campus is on eight acres of land owned by WNFF. The educational partnership is a collaborative effort that enhances both non-profits and deepens the environmental awareness and stewardship of the unspoiled coastal areas in the Freeport region.
Women Unlimited's mission is to improve the economic well-being of Maine women, minorities, and displaced workers by providing access to trade, technical, and transportation careers, and by providing support once a woman is employed. They offer both basic and advanced training, job-placement assistance, advocacy, and networking opportunities. They provide information on careers in construction and related fields, and assistance to employers looking for a twenty-first century workforce. This partnership provides a way for CSG to serve the wider local community by inviting women interested in the building trades to visit CSG during construction projects in order to observe and learn a particular skill or trade. In time, these women may serve as mentors to our students.