ORONO — Maine public school educators are invited to attend a pair of in-person summits designed to help them enhance skills and knowledge in elementary mathematics instruction and learn how to responsibly use artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 schools. 

The Elementary Math Summit and the AI Summit will be held Nov. 7-8, at the University of Maine, and are being hosted by UMaine’s College of Education and Human Development, which has been facilitating virtual community-of-practice gatherings for educators on both topics to help them discuss strategies, share experiences and offer each other support. 

The elementary math community-of-practice grew out of a strand at the 2025 UMaine Summer Educators Institute that addressed concerns over declining math scores among Maine fourth graders on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) test, also known as the nation’s report card. Similarly, the summit builds on the knowledge developed through the college’s AI community-of-practice, virtual meetings exploring AI use in schools that started after conversations at the summer institute. The College of Education and Human Development has several experts exploring best practices around AI for schools and families, including some who will be presenting at the summits. 

Both events are free, and it is possible to attend both. In addition, the College of Education and Human Development is offering a $150 stipend for educators who want to attend the Elementary Math Summit, which runs from the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 7 through Saturday, Nov. 8. Nearby lodging reimbursement is also available for teachers who need it.

The AI Summit will be held on Nov. 8 only, and will include officials from the Maine Department of Education answering questions about the department’s AI Guidance Toolkit. Up to 10 educators who join the AI community-of-practice and attend at least four virtual meetings could receive stipends as well. 

Forms to register for the Elementary Math Summit and the AI Summit are online. Registration will remain open until the summits are full. 

For more information, contact UMaine Senior Lecturer of Instructional Technology Mia Morrison, mia.morrison@maine.edu.

About the University of Maine

As Maine’s only public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, the University of Maine advances learning and discovery through excellence and innovation. Founded in 1865 in Orono, UMaine is the state’s land, sea and space grant university with a regional campus at the University of Maine at Machias. Our students come from all over the world and work with faculty conducting fieldwork around the globe — from the North Atlantic to the Antarctic. Located on Marsh Island in the homeland of the Penobscot Nation with UMaine Machias located in the homeland of the Passamaquoddy Nation, UMaine’s statewide mission is to foster an environment that creates tomorrow’s leaders. As the state’s flagship institution, UMaine offers nearly 200 degree programs through which students can earn bachelor’s, master’s, professional master’s and doctoral degrees as well as graduate certificates. For more information about UMaine and UMaine Machias, visit umaine.edu/about/quick-facts/ and machias.edu/about-umm/umm-facts/.