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Maine Mobile
BIOLAB

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before, during, and after your BIOLAB visit.

Educate Maine opens school visit requests in April each year, and schools will be notified by the end of the school year. Check back regularly to request a visit or find out where we are heading next.

Communications

Educate Maine staff will send an email to the lead contact with a reminder about the dates selected for their upcoming school visit. At that time, the Educate Maine team and your school’s designated point of contact will work together to schedule a pre-visit meeting, during which all school administrators and teachers utilizing the program will review visit logistics. Pre-visit information is sent out about a month before a visit. Pre-visit meetings are conducted virtually and typically take place at least two weeks before the school’s BIOLAB visit.

Visit Expectations

Before Your Visit

Attendance
All school administrators and teachers utilizing the program must attend the pre-visit meeting.

What to Bring
The designated point of contact should share a draft schedule form and parking form with the Educate Maine team ahead of the pre-visit meeting. These do not need to be finalized, but these meetings are most productive when used as a working session.

  • Schedule Form: Use the guidelines at the top of the schedule form and the lesson description document to build a schedule for the week.
  • Parking Form: Submit a parking form with an annotated map showing where in your parking lot the BIOLAB should be parked.

Requirements:

  • Approximately 90 by 30 feet to deliver by truck (the lab itself is approximately 52 by 16 feet when fully deployed)
  • Tar or pavement surface for stability and weight support; the lab has a self-leveling hydraulic system
  • No electrical or water hookup needed; the unit is self-powered

    DURING YOUR VISIT

    Standard Operating Hours
    Educate Maine staff will work with teachers to create a class schedule with up to five sessions per day.

    On-Site Support
    Educate Maine staff will be on site to deliver all BIOLAB programming.

    Student Handouts
    Teachers are responsible for printing student handouts before the day the lesson will be taught. Handouts are available on this website under the Curriculum tab.

    On-Lab Student Experience
    A representative from the school must be present inside the lab at all times during student sessions.

    Evaluation Plan
    Students and teachers will be asked to participate in Educate Maine’s evaluation program to help provide feedback and improve future programs. No personal or identifying information will be collected, and individuals may opt out at any time.

    SAFEGUARDS

    Participant safety is Educate Maine’s top priority. We are committed to providing a safe learning environment for students, teachers, and all guests. We ask that you help us enforce Educate Maine’s Safety Rules and Regulations.

    All staff working with students aboard the mobile lab have undergone criminal background checks in order to be cleared to work as required under Title 20–A MRSA 13024.

    Schools may request a certificate of liability insurance naming your school as additionally insured. Requests must be made no less than three weeks before a scheduled visit.

    AFTER YOUR VISIT

    Clear the parking area of all vehicles to allow for removal of the lab.

    Teachers and administrators should complete the teacher survey sent by Educate Maine staff.

    School Visits and Cancellations

    Schools with unavoidable cancellations due to weather or other circumstances beyond their control will be able to reschedule. Educate Maine will work to reschedule the visit during the current school year or offer priority access to the following year’s schedule.

    Request a Visit for Your School

    All Maine public schools offering classes for grades 5 through 8 are eligible to request a visit.

    Priority is given to schools in rural areas and those with high economic need, based on free and reduced lunch eligibility. Priority is also given to schools that have not yet had a BIOLAB visit. Visit length is one week, or as determined by Educate Maine, based on the time needed to serve all students in the school.

    Sign up for the Educate Maine Teacher Priority Network to learn about other programs available in your region.

    Request a Visit

    NEWS AND UPDATES