Maine Solutionaries Project Information

In 2024, the Maine Solutionaries Project was developed through a collaboration between the Institute for Humane Education and the Interdisciplinary Instruction team at the Maine Department of Education.

The Institute for Humane Education (IHE) leads programs that empower educators to take a solution-focused approach to teaching about real-world issues concerning the environment, humans, and animals. IHE does this by offering graduate programs, professional learning, and free resources and workshops for educators and changemakers looking to create a more just, sustainable, and humane future.

The partnership between IHE and the Maine DOE seeks to inspire and support educators to cultivate a generation of Solutionary change-makers capable of effectively addressing and resolving real-world problems. The expanded Maine Solutionaries Project provides high-quality cohort-based professional learning opportunities for teachers to learn how to facilitate inquiry-to-action projects with their students and make available resources to support real-world, transdisciplinary, project-based learning.

Learn more about Solutionary Learning

Mileage reimbursement and overnight lodging are available. All kickoff events run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Add Solutionary teaching to effectively facilitate Think Global, Act Local projects with your students.
• Access resources from the Maine DOE to expand your pedagogical toolkit when developing student agency, optimism, and transfer of knowledge and skills.
• Receive a $1,000 stipend upon completion of the course.
• Network with other educators who want to teach their students to be changemakers and join the growing number of Solutionary teachers across Maine. Networks focus on climate change, food waste, and human rights and equity.
• Earn a respected credential from the Institute for Humane Education. Contact hour certificates (30 hours) can be obtained through the Maine DOE upon completion of the Solutionary Micro-credential. CEUs can be obtained from Antioch University for an additional fee. No partial hours will be granted. Learn more about Solutionary Micro-Credentialing.

What topics will the middle and high school mixed cohorts focus on?

The Middle School Mixed cohort is for middle school teachers who teach a variety of content areas and might be planning curriculum jumping-off points or exploration of issues not covered by other cohorts — or for middle school teachers for whom the timing of the mixed cohort is most convenient. All examples used will be middle school examples and many resources will be based on the UN SDGs. Coaches will work with participants to find resources on topics unrelated to any of the SDGs or other cohort topics. The High School Mixed Cohort is essentially the same but uses high school examples throughout.

Are the resources from other cohorts available to everyone?

Yes — you will have access to the Maine Solutionaries page on the Maine DOE website.

What if a topic I am interested in pursuing isn't offered?

Join the Middle or High School mixed cohort, depending on your students' grade level(s). You can also join whichever cohort you would like — just know that the resources and examples will be focused on that cohort's topic.

How can non-traditional educators participate in this project?

Educators teaching in the community or outside of traditional classrooms can certainly participate. Just know that the materials are geared for classroom teachers and the examples will need to be translated for out-of-classroom or community education settings.

What if I can't make a scheduled Zoom meeting?

If you miss a session, you are responsible for listening to the recording and completing the work on the learning board that is due for the next session. If you already know you will have to miss more than one Zoom meeting, please consider choosing another cohort that better matches your schedule.

What are the logistics for the day-long kickoff event?

Please plan to be there for the whole day: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Arrive no later than 8:20 a.m. so you can get your materials and we can start on time. Lunch will be provided along with two short breaks. You will be able to get reimbursed for mileage. If you live more than two hours from the event site, contact Josie Cameron and we will reserve a hotel room for the night before if you would like.

What is the time commitment?

There is a day-long in-person kickoff followed by four one-hour Zoom meetings. Between Zoom meetings, you will complete work on the Claned learning board (reading, viewing, creating examples, working on your plan) — plan to spend about 2.5 hours per week. Between Zoom meetings three and four, you will have a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with your facilitator or coach to review and get feedback on your project idea.

What do I get if I complete the course?

• Your Solutionary Micro-credential, showing you know how to design and plan solutionary inquiry-to-action projects.
• A $1,000 stipend.
• 30 contact hours from the Maine DOE, with the option to pay $20 for three CEUs from Antioch University toward graduate credits.
• Membership in a community of educators throughout Maine and worldwide committed to educating a generation of Solutionaries — including free resources, free professional learning sessions, and ongoing support.
• Eligibility to apply for $400 in project funds to use when implementing your solutionary inquiry-to-action project with your students.

Why are there 5 Zooms listed on the form for cohorts 7 and 8?

There are only four required. For cohorts 7–8, alternate dates are listed for the last session because the exact date of the final Zoom cannot yet be confirmed.

"I'm excited to bring this to my students. Often our students feel disconnected from what goes on at school. Teaching them to become solutionaries and guiding them through the process gives them real-life experience in making a true, positive impact on the lives of those around them. That positive contribution to the student's community builds self-efficacy in a way that no purchased or adopted school curriculum can."

— Maine High School Teacher

The Maine Solutionaries Project funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $1,556,200, of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the Maine Solutionaries Project and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the USDOE or the U.S. Government.