Made in Maine: 
STEM Kits for Sustainable Learning

The UMPPF STEM Kit brings hands-on science and real-world relevance to middle and high school classrooms across Maine. Designed in partnership with UMaine’s Sustainable Packaging Lab, the kit introduces students to an urgent question in modern materials science: Can we create an alternative to plastic?

What’s Inside

Each kit contains everything a classroom needs to run a multi-day experiment comparing plastic wrap to cellulose nanofiber (CNF) — a renewable material developed at the University of Maine’s Process Development Center.

Students explore how each material performs when used to seal containers, collecting data on water loss, durability, and effectiveness.

What Students Learn

  • How renewable materials like CNF can replace traditional plastics
  • How to run a controlled experiment and analyze results
  • How the paper industry is driving innovation in sustainable packaging

Each kit includes CNF samples, dehydrators, petri dishes, mason jars, and an instructional packet for teachers, plus a QR code linking to the full research article.

In 2025, UMPPF delivered 20 kits to Maine schools, reaching more than 1,500 students. Another 20 kits will be distributed in 2026 — all at no cost to educators.

 

Thank you for your interest in receiving one of the Made in Maine STEM Kits sponsored by the UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation.

Please fill out the form below so we can follow up with you on distributing these. If you have an questions, please reach out to McKenna Baker, UMPPF Student Recruitment Specialist, at mckenna.goulette@maine.edu or Tracy Vassiliev at tvassiliev@bangorschools.net.

Name(Required)
What grades do you teach? (Select all that apply)(Required)
Do you have access to a refrigerator that the cellulose 2-gallon bucket can be stored in? (Non-hazardous and safe to be refrigerated with food items)(Required)

How many classrooms would this kit be used for? (There are enough supplies for multiple runs of the experiment)(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Are you willing to distribute the necessary consent forms for pre and post-lab surveys?(Required)

This aspect of the kits is pending approval from the IRB (Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subject) and as such may or may not be conducted.
Are you able to accommodate two separate ~ 15 minute blocks of class time to fill out the pre-lab and post-lab surveys for those willing to participate?(Required)

This aspect of the kits is pending approval from the IRB (Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subject) and as such may or may not be conducted.

UMaine Pulp + Paper Foundation

 

5737 Jenness Hall, Orono, Maine 04469

Call Us: (207) 581-2297

217 Jenness Hall, Orono, Maine 04469