Engineers Week 2024

ENGINEERS WEEK

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • Friday, February, 23, 2024

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

FEB. 18–24 IS

NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK 2024!

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ational Engineers Week is a great time to recognize the incredible and lasting innovations Maine engineers have made to our communities, and the contributions they continue to make everyday all around the world.

Engineering and technology talent are critical to continued improvement of our state’s infrastructure, health, natural resources, and economy, according to the Maine Engineering Promotional Council.

We’re lucky to have some of the best college engineering programs in the world right here in Maine, and high schools dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers through creative and engaging STEM programs.

In celebration of National Engineers Week, inside this special section of the Bangor Daily News, you’ll meet Maine engineers helping to improve the lives of others around the globe, and meet the students and teachers advancing STEM learning in the state’s most rural corners. You’ll also cheer on a local robotics team as they compete in a national competition with their innovative designs.

Let’s celebrate all of Maine’s engineers — both current and future!

ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024 3

BUCKSPORT ROBOTICS’ GOLDEN MOMENT

BY EMILY BAER

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P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F B U C KS P O R T H I G H S C H O O L R O B O T I C S T E A M 6 3 2 9 ’ S M A R K E T I N G T E A M .

f there’s anything that can bring engineers together, it’s a challenge. So, when students at Bucksport High School decided to establish Robotics Team 6329 in 2017, they were undaunted by the task ahead of them. In addition to designing and building robots out of raw materials, the students and their coaches, Mike Goss and John Boynton, were also designing and building a competitive program from scratch.

“We didn’t really know what we were getting ourselves into,” Boynton said. “Our robots were built with a drill press, a band saw, and a lot of hard work.”

Still, the team quickly found success. During their first three years, they regularly placed in the top 10 during competitions and qualified for the New England Championships. Then, in 2019, they received a generous donation from a local family and started gaining the competitive momentum they’d been looking for.

“We were incredibly fortunate to get a donation of three CNC machines from the Silvernail family,” Boynton said. “We have seen incremental improvement every year since.”

The computer numerical control (CNC) machines allow the team to automate the tools they use by embedding custom-coded computer software inside of each. By doing so, they can automate the control and movement of their tools. In addition to improving their precision, the speed of the CNC machines is indispensable when it comes to rapid prototyping and testing.

After years of hard work and determination, the team met the goal they’d long been pursuing: competing in the 2023 FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) World Championships in Houston, Texas. Buoyed by the support of their community, Team 6329 went on to bring home a bronze medal, international acclaim, and a new challenge for the Bucks to pursue.

This year’s championship is set for mid-April and the team is hard at work in preparation. They hope to repeat last year’s success and have been brainstorming, testing, and reworking ideas since FIRST’s 2024 game manual was released in January.

In addition to gaining skills in computer-aided design (CAD), wiring, machining, tool usage, math, science, programming, business, and strategy, students have the opportunity to develop expertise in areas that may not generally be associated with robotics. There are team members, for example, who help support marketing, fundraising, social media, and outreach efforts, as well as documenting the team’s technical accomplishments and their competitions.

“What is different about this program is that you can learn as much or as little as you want,” Boynton said. “We are working hard to repeat the successes of last year but also want to continue to make our team more well-rounded.”

Having more than doubled since its founding, the team attracts students from a broad range of backgrounds.

“Our team has always been such a diverse group of kids,” Boynton said. “We have three-sport athletes, technical school students, honors students, art kids, band kids, and future engineers. We are also now over 50 percent girls, which is very unusual in the world of robotics.”

The team’s success is supported by a network of community businesses, mentors, families, and friends. “It is due in large part to our community that we have seen the success we have,” Boynton said. “Local businesses sponsor our team, alumni support us however they can, and we are incredibly lucky how supportive the school has been.”

To learn more or to support their work, follow Team 6329 on Facebook.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

ENGINEERS WITHOUT BORDERS VOLUNTEER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

BY WANDA CURTIS

Ghana students and volunteers.

Courtesy of The Portland Maine Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders

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ngineers possess many skills which can make the world a better place to live. Whether constructing a water filtration system or designing a school, they can improve the lives of people in the communities they serve.

American engineer and author Henry Petroski once said engineers are in a position to change the world.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a group of professionals doing just that.

Engineers from across the U.S. volunteer their skills to improve living conditions of people throughout the world. The national office (EWB-USA) maintains a database of projects for communities in need. The individual chapters then decide which projects best match their skills and implement the projects.

MAINE ENGINEERS STEP UP The Portland Maine Professional Chapter is involved in community-based engineering projects worldwide, ranging from drinking water and sanitation to education and infrastructure. They also support STEM outreach activities in their

local neighborhoods and foster leadership among their volunteers.

Portland’s team leader Julianne Page said the vision of EWB is for every community to have the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs. Helping people meet their most basic needs improves not only their overall health, security, and safety, but also aids their human dignity, she said.

Portland team members come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are college students, some are actively employed in professions, and others are retired. Both engineers and non-engineers volunteer for the projects.

“While many of our current members are civil and environmental engineers, other past and present members include transportation engineers, mechanical engineers, aerospace engineers, toxicologists, computer scientists, and even a disability claims specialist,” Page said. “We also have several geologists who generously donate their time to helping other chapters around the country with projects involving drilling wells. Since our chapter is based in Portland, our members primarily live in Southern Maine and New Hampshire.”

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AROUND THE WORLD

small farming community of 150 residents located in the cloud forest near the Andes mountains, said Page.

Since the Portland chapter’s inception in 2010, volunteers During their most recent trip in January, a spring box have completed projects in both Ghana and Ethiopia. They was constructed along with over 1 km of piping to teamed with the Community Directed Development The group at work in Ecuador. convey water from the spring box to the location of Foundation (CDDF) in to support a potable water Courtesy of The Portland Maine Professional two 5,000 liter storage tanks that were installed on a project in the village of Dogobom in Ghana, Page Chapter of Engineers Without Borders previous trip, she said. The team will return in said. Dogobom is located in a coastal dry savannah June to work with the community on construction area with the lowest rainfall in Ghana. of the distribution system and ultimately “This small rural community did not have a provide access for safe drinking water to every safe water supply,” Page said. “The groundwater home. is saline, and the stormwater collection pond is Living conditions for residents of turbid and easily contaminated. Approximately communities served by the team vary, said 30 percent of the community had contracted Page. Many El Progreso residents are farmers parasitic diseases including malaria and who grow crops like sugarcane, coffee, and schistosomiasis, both of which impacted the cacao. Several process their sugar cane into a health and lives of the community and could be product similar to brown sugar called “panela,” managed via clean water. Over several years, the she said. chapter installed a rainwater harvest system that “The steep slopes of the Andes foothills mean they would provide several days of water for the entire are mainly limited to using hand tools and mules for community with only 0.5 inches of rain. A pilot system working their fields, and their income from growing was constructed with the help of the community, and we such crops can fluctuate wildly based on changes made left them with the tools and resources to maintain it. throughout the global supply chain,” Page said. “Most members According to Page, the system was successful and several of the community have access to electricity and cell phone service more were installed in additional buildings. However, over time the but may not own their own vehicle and must rely on others to take them on community stopped maintaining the systems and didn’t provide data needed the 20-minute trip to Pacto (the nearest neighboring town) or 3-hour trip to Quito to continue the pilot testing. Page said the success was short-lived, but the group (the nearest major city) as needed.” learned a lot from the experience and have taken those lessons in their next EWB-PMP President Steven Laudage said overall their work has projects. been well received by the communities they’ve served. He said “We are still in touch with the community and willing to the Ecuador project has experienced a lot of obstacles and help should there be an opportunity,” Page said. delays, particularly with COVID. So they’ve had to reassure the residents they’re still committed to the BUILDING IN ETHIOPIA project, despite the delays.

The second project the team engaged in was “On our most recent trip we made a lot of designing a community center and school in the progress and demonstrated our continued Kabele 9 region of Debre Birhan, Ethiopia. It commitment, and by the end of the trip the was part of the world’s largest Habitat for energy level in the community was very high,” Humanity project, Page said.

Laudage said. “For their part, they also “Our contribution was to provide continue to show commitment to engineering support for design and the project and organized groups of 10 construction of a school building, composting volunteers to help us with construction each latrines, and water lines for handwashing day of the trip.” stations,” she said. “The project will ultimately provide school buildings for over 1,000 students featuring over 100 laptops SUPPORT AND THE FUTURE donated by EWB-PMP, a community center for According to Laudage, local Maine businesses adults, test gardens for vegetables, bamboo, and can support EWB-PMP initiatives via sponsorship. fruits, and a regulation size track and football They have an annual fundraiser with a silent (soccer) field.” auction where arts and items from local vendors and Students in Ethiopia. project countries are auctioned off. Laudage said the Courtesy of The Portland Maine Professional group is currently focused on completing the Ecuador A NEW PROJECT IN ECUADOR Chapter of Engineers Without Borders project, however, they may review databases of available The Portland team is currently involved with a project in projects on EWB-USA’s website, later this year, to find another El Progreso, Ecuador. They’re partnering with NGO, future project which fits with the skill set and interest of their team members.

Engineers in Action to provide a reliable drinking water system for the

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

JOIN THE VERSANT POWER TEAM COURTESY OF VERSANT POWER We are looking for talented engineers to join the Versant Power team! Our engineers work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where they can see the results of their work every day. They have the opportunity to learn and grow in the profession while helping us improve our system and transition to a clean energy future.

T&D Engineer: The candidate will work on planning, design, specifications, and technical guidance associated with transmission and distribution overhead lines, with some support for underground work. The primary focus of the job will be on distribution line engineering.

Here are some of our current engineering openings with a brief job description:

At Versant Power, we value professional development and want our engineers to have the latest industry knowledge and training. Recently, for example, we have been incorporating advanced reliability technology into our system that isolates and limits the impact of electrical faults. Projects such as this allow team members to visit communities throughout our service territory to perform planning exercises and witness the implementation of engineering plans.

BES Engineer: Under the general direction of the Manager, System Operations, Engineering & PST, this position encompasses electrical engineering duties under a variety of focus areas including transmission and distribution protection analysis, substation planning, design, specifications, procurement, and commissioning.

DG Engineer: Under the general direction of the Manager of Asset Management, this position encompasses engineering duties for distributed generation, primarily on our distribution system. The candidate will work closely with our internal distributed generation team as well as solar developers as they work to interconnect to our system.

Distribution System Planning Engineer: Under the general direction of the Manager of Asset Management, this position encompasses electrical engineering duties focused on our distribution system planning.

P&C Engineering Supervisor: Under the general direction of the Manager, System Operations, PST & Engineering, this position oversees transmission and distribution engineering protection, transmission and distribution protection analysis, settings, design, specifications, procurement, and commissioning.

Versant Power offers full benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; paid vacation, personal time, and holidays; 100% tuition reimbursement, a 401(k) match; and opportunities for professional development. We contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable causes and economic development opportunities in northern and eastern Maine and encourage employees to volunteer and fundraise for causes important to them by providing matching funds.

Versant Power is proud to sponsor National Engineers Week in Maine and encourages those interested in engineering to join us in bringing power to the people of Maine.

If you’re interested in joining our team, please visit the Employment Opportunities page at versantpower.com.

WE’RE HIRING ENGINEERS

Hybrid Positions: • BES Engineer • P&C Engineering Supervisor • Distribution System Planning Engineer

• T&D Engineer • DG Study Engineer

• Flexible Schedule • Full-Time Positions • Excellent Life/Work Balance • Competitive Benefits Package • Generous 401K Retirement Plan

Apply now at versantpower.com/careers Versant Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer 2024 BDN Engineer Week Ad.indd 1

2/6/2024 2:43:00 PM

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

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SAPPI SETS THE STANDARD FOR ENGINEERING CAREERS, INNOVATION COURTESY OF SAPPI

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aper permeates nearly every aspect of our lives—it’s in our clothes, our cars, our pantries and, of course, our mailboxes. The paper industry is a critical resource at the forefront of innovation and sustainability to meet consumer demands, especially when it comes to creating new paper and packaging products to replace or minimize single-use plastic.

Sappi made strategic investments in excess of $200 million several years ago to expand into the packaging business at our Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, since we had already anticipated a strong market desire to move toward renewable, paper-based packaging.

Now we are investing another $418 million to expand operations at the Somerset Mill to increase its capacity to produce paperboard products for packaging. Demand for packaging and specialty papers in North America is particularly robust, especially since our paperboard is a more environmentally sustainable alternative to plastic packaging.

Our paperboard is used in premium packaging for a variety of goods and foodservice items, such as plates, dishes and cups, as a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam.

With such forward-thinking investments, Sappi epitomizes the legacy of innovative papermaking in Maine, where it all started with our invention of coated paper 150 years ago. Sappi’s history of investing in sustainability, new technology and state-ofthe-art machinery led us naturally to the packaging business.

Sappi scores highly with third-party organizations that rate sustainability in the pulp and paper industry, and we are committed to procuring materials from suppliers who operate within sustainability standards. We emphasize how our active forestmanagement process leaves forests better than when we found them, noting that Maine has more forest land now than it did 100 years ago.

Due to our innovative leadership, Sappi keeps its eye on the future. Sappi is a leading global company in the pulp and paper industry with offices and mills in Boston, Maine, Minnesota, South Africa, Europe and more. The company is driven by our Thrive2025 vision, which seeks to bring unity to all Sappi locations and pursue growth opportunities in the wood-fiber industry. The work here is challenging and interesting, and the pay is competitive. But most importantly, Sappi is full of seasoned engineers ready to mentor younger staff.

Sappi works closely with the University of Maine’s Pulp and Paper Foundation to support students who express an interest in the pulp and paper industry, ensuring the next generation of paper engineers is the best and brightest. We work with local institutions to offer competitive co-op programs and career development opportunities.

Our 130 local engineers come from a variety of institutions, including University of Maine, Maine Maritime, Northeastern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and more.

For hundreds of years, the paper industry has been a staple of Maine’s economy, and Sappi North America’s mills and offices in Skowhegan, Westbrook and South Portland have remained a bright spot throughout that time. Our company has set the gold standard for environmental practices, and we continuously update processes to drive iinnovation and sustainability.

For more information or to talk with someone about joining our team, visit www.sappi.com

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

SARGENT: INVESTING IN PEOPLE THROUGH MENTORSHIP

BY PETE PARIZO, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, SARGENT

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he textbook definition of mentorship is “the guidance provided by an experienced person in a professional or educational setting.” At Sargent, we build a mentorship relationship into all our team interactions. It can be as simple as welcoming a new employee-owner to the jobsite with a firm handshake and a

smile, or offering guidance on how to perform a new task safely.

The thing that sets Sargent apart is our culture. Most anyone can rent equipment, purchase materials, and build a project. What makes Sargent successful and a leader in the industry is our commitment to Invest In People, our exceptional team of employee-owners, and our culture of mentorship. All of us can name someone (or many people) that helped us get to where we are in our careers. No one gets to where they want to be without guidance and mentorship. The more experienced among us have many seasons of successes and failures that can be passed on to less seasoned folks to foster constant improvement and individual development.

To be a mentor does not require a specific title or status, rather, it is an attitude and a choice. It has been said “everyone is a leader” — the question is, which way are you leading? The same is true for mentorship. Anyone can be a mentor, regardless of their position within the company. If an employee-owner has considerable experience in

some area they can pass on that knowledge to less experienced teammates. That’s mentorship.

We pay it forward through mentorship and repay the people who have spent time and energy mentoring us. There are direct benefits to the mentor as well. Through guiding others, the mentor can gain leadership skills, boost their knowledge, and help expose the mentor to new perspectives. “If you want to master something, teach it.”

Teaching something reveals weaknesses in one’s own knowledge and requires one to truly understand all aspects of the process to break it down to its most basic form to explain it to someone new. Lastly, to be a mentor is a personal choice summed up best by asking, “What do I want my legacy to be?” A meaningful legacy includes helping to guide the river of knowledge given to us for the benefit of those downstream.

We must look for those worthy of mentorship. A seed planted on a ledge face will not grow regardless of how much you water it. For the less experienced people showing up every day with a great attitude, a willingness to learn and ask thoughtful questions, and the ability to take action when given constructive feedback, mentorship is the reward. Seek out opportunities to take someone under your wing and show them the right way to do things — safely, productively, and with good quality.

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HYDROPOWER: OUR FOCUS. OUR PASSION. COURTESY OF KLEINSCHMIDT

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or over half a century, Kleinschmidt has been a cornerstone in the hydropower industry, delivering unparalleled engineering, regulatory, and environmental services across North America. Our specialty? A blend of unmatched technical prowess and a dedication to cultivating the sector’s brightest minds. Hydropower demands not just advanced technical abilities but also inventive approaches—and that’s where we shine.

At the heart of Kleinschmidt is our robust team of nearly 100 engineers, spanning the gamut of hydropower disciplines—from civil to hydrology—stationed throughout North America, with a strong presence of 25 engineers in Maine. This collective brings an average of 22 years of focused hydropower experience to the table, ensuring that we deliver consistently excellent and reliable outcomes. Our expertise is evident in the meticulousness of our technical design drawings, specifications, reports, and other critical deliverables, all tailored to meet the rigorous standards of technicality, regulation, and legality.

Our comprehensive engineering services portfolio is a testament to our team’s technical mastery, showcasing our involvement in a wide range of projects. From

revitalizing existing facilities and crafting new hydropower plants to conducting thorough condition assessments and supporting design and construction, our versatility enables us to address complex hydropower challenges with practical solutions.

Central to our ethos is nurturing talent and attracting the industry’s best—a philosophy amplified by our status as an employee-owned firm. This culture not only encourages professional growth and continuous learning but also strengthens our commitment to environmental stewardship. As we evolve and innovate, our dedication to technical excellence and employee development cements our leadership in sustainable hydropower.

Kleinschmidt’s reputation is anchored in our industry tenure, our team’s deep technical knowledge, and our unwavering focus on employee growth. Our approach, combining technical expertise with a commitment to developing the next generation of hydropower experts, positions us as pioneers in the realm of sustainable energy. As we forge ahead, our unique mix of technical skill and dedication to nurturing talent ensures our continued leadership in sustainable hydropower development.

Discover more about our journey and innovations at kleinschmidtgroup.com.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

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GENERAL DYNAMICS BATH IRON WORKS ENGINEERING Sending our Sailors to sea on the world’s most advanced and capable ships so they can return safely to their families

COURTESY OF GENERAL DYNAMICS BATH IRON WORKS

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undreds of Engineers and Designers working at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works are putting their skills and intellect into a mission that matters — building the ships our Navy’s Sailors depend on to defend freedom of navigation around the world and to return home safely to their families.

Renowned for our quality and innovation, BIW has designed several of our Navy’s most important ship classes, including the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers and the DDG 1000 Zumwalt class — the most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world.

As the premier designer, builder, and life-cycle manager of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy, BIW offers its employees tremendous variety and frequent opportunities for advancement. We have engineering, technician, designer, and management roles across the breadth of disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, Structural (Civil), and Systems engineering, as well as Naval Marine Engineers.

The Engineering Department enhances Production by offering deckplate support for engineering and design products across fabrication, assembly, installation, system set up, testing, and trials. When a BIW ship heads down the Kennebec River for sea trials, it is BIW employees who are at the helm, running and testing all the systems we have designed and built.

BIW Engineers and Designers are also responsible for ships already in the f leet, supporting modernization, maintenance, and repair of DDG 51 and DDG 1000 ship classes. BIW maintains a presence in several homeports around the world, offering the opportunity for travel and extended stay at ports within the U.S. and overseas.

As our nation looks to the future, we are collaborating with the Navy on the design of the next-generation surface combatant, ensuring we have important work for years to come.

Engineers can apply to join our Engineering Development Program or the Professional Development Program — two-year programs that enable candidates to rotate through different roles in the shipyard to gain a broader understanding of the company, its processes, and its business operations.

We are part of the General Dynamics family of businesses, a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems, and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people across 65 countries worldwide and generated $39.4 billion in revenue in 2022.

More information about General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is available at gdbiw.com.

To learn about opportunities at BIW, contact biwcareers.com.

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

JUST A FEW OF THE MANY FIELDS OF ENGINEERING COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

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ngineering is a vital component of many industries. Engineers affect nearly every aspect of daily life, and a career in engineering can be both fulfilling and financially rewarding.

According to PayScale.com, degrees in the STEM fields, which focus on science, technology, engineering, or math, continue to be at or near the top of the site’s College Salary Report. Engineering seems to be an especially lucrative degree to have. In fact, the 2018 report found that three of the top four highest paying jobs for people with a bachelor’s degree were in the field of engineering.

A high salary is certainly enticing, but many professional engineers feel their jobs are more than just a paycheck, as overcoming the challenges posed by a career in engineering can lead to great personal satisfaction.

The various disciplines within the field of engineering attract students from all walks of life, making engineering an attractive career path for young people with an array of skill sets and interests. The following are just some of the many potential career opportunities for students who earn degrees in engineering.

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ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEER Technology is vital to daily life in the 21st century, and electrical and electronics engineers play an integral role in making the connected world a reality. Electrical engineers work on everything from computers to wireless networks to automobiles and aircrafts.

CHEMICAL ENGINEER Combining the principles of biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, and physics, chemical engineers strive to convert chemicals, energy and other materials into useful products. Chemical engineers work in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, petroleum, energy, and manufacturing. Some chemical engineers focus on research, while others may work on quality control or safety procedures.

COMPUTER ENGINEER Whether using their smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops, few people now go a full day without using some type of computer. They have computer engineers, who create and improve existing computer technologies, to thank for that.

Computer engineers may focus their efforts on wireless networks, the internet, or other systems that businesses and people rely on every day.

The field of engineering can be rewarding and lucrative.

Becoming a professional engineer requires years of schooling, but the rewards of such a pursuit can be well worth the effort.

CIVIL ENGINEER Civil engineers study and design infrastructure. Projects span the design of bridges, roads, dams, water systems, earthquake-proof buildings, and much more.systems that businesses and people rely on every day.

160 Veranda Street | Portland, ME 04104 207.221.2260

MECHANICAL ENGINEER Mechanical engineers are involved in the research, design and development of machinery. Such machinery may include medical devices, appliances people have in their homes that they use every day or turbines.

Come work with us!

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Structural Engineering

Engineered for Impact

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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 23, 2024

LESSONS IN SUSTAINABILITY

South Portland Middle School is both a sustainable new community resource and a dynamic teaching tool.

COURTESY OF WBRC

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he Mahoney and Memorial Middle Schools in South Portland, Maine served their community well for 100 and 56 years, respectively. But times change, and so do the needs of students. Recognizing the limitations of aging facilities, the South Portland School Department decided their best course of action was to consolidate the two middle schools. With that consolidation, fifth graders were moved to the new middle school, freeing up space for prekindergarten programs at each of the city’s five elementary schools.

“The School Department had strong aspirations for the inclusion of sustainable features in the new school,” says Mike Johanning, WBRC Principal, Education Studio Director, and Project Architect. “From inception to completion, the building seamlessly integrates environmental awareness and incorporates sustainable technologies.”

One of the first sustainable design decisions was to preserve as much green space as possible by creating a four-story building. The design leverages the site’s natural terrain and the sun’s path through the day. The School Department opted for a geothermal system to both heat and cool the building, keeping occupants comfortable year-round. A solar thermal wall preheats the make-up air in winter, helping to reduce the annual heat load. Solar panels collect energy to provide the building with electricity, and act as window shades for the south-facing glass in the summer. To conserve water, filtered rainwater collected from the roof helps bolster the multipurpose field’s irrigation system.

In the art and STEM classrooms, the building’s structure and mechanical systems are clearly visible and expressed, making them into a teaching tool. Andy Rudnicki, the lead Mechanical Engineer for the project, enjoyed helping create each room’s color-coded piping and ductwork.

“Teachers can identify different systems by their colors and point out the components that make the building function,” he says. The fire sprinkler piping is painted red. Natural gas piping is yellow, supply and return air ducts are orange and blue, and exhaust ducts are purple. “The acoustic structural deck and beams are also visible, putting more engineering on display.”

Daylighting is crucially important to student learning and well-being. Natural light is available throughout the building, thanks to expansive windows and the strategic use of transoms and solar tubes.

“Designing eco-friendly schools encourages students to be aware of global challenges like climate change,” Johanning says. “Seeing sustainable elements in action fosters environmental awareness and inspires students to work towards a healthier and more sustainable future.”

South Portland Superintendent Tim Matheney has received tremendously positive feedback from teachers, students, and the community on the new school. “This is an amazing facility,” he says. “The design provides for state-of-the-art 21st century learning and sustainability. Our community will take great pride in the middle school for generations to come.”

South Portland Middle School was awarded the Honor Award for Integration of Sustainable Features by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Maine.