UNION — Students at Union Elementary School have a big week ahead of them this coming March. The school has announced it will host two award-winning Maine authors for a two-day residency focused on science and local heritage, said Principal Clint Rankin.

"Thanks to recent funding from the Pullen Fund and the Hannaford Helps Schools program, every single student at the school will go home with their own personal, signed copy of one of the authors' books," he said, in a news release.

The event kicks off onWednesday, March 25, with a visit from author Katie Coppens.

A middle-school teacher and recipient of the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Coppens is well-known for The Acadia Files, a series that uses a fictional narrator to teach real-world science. She will be leading the students through hands-on experiments to show how science isn’t just in a textbook, but in their own backyards.

On Thursday, March 26, the focus shifts to Maine’s wildlife and geography with author and filmmaker Tonya Shevenell.

Shevenell, the creator of The Maine Birthday Book, will share her experiences exploring the state, including a 190-mile trek across Maine for her documentary film, and talk about the real-life animals that inspire her stories.

The highlight of the week for many will be the book giveaway. The goal, said Rankin, is to ensure no child was left out of the experience.

“It is a rare thing to be able to put a brand-new, signed book into the hands of every student in the building,” said Rankin. “We are so grateful to the William Pullen Fund and Hannaford’s. Their support means that when our students leave school on Thursday, they aren't just taking home a book—they’re taking home a connection to two incredible Maine role models.”

The authors will spend the two days rotating through grade levels, offering age-appropriate workshops for everyone from Pre-K to 6th grade. By the end of the week, every student will have had the chance to meet an author and start (or grow) their own home library.

Serving the community of Union, Union Elementary is part of RSU 40 and focuses on creating meaningful, community-based learning opportunities for all students.